Job Description

The Senior Director, Data Governance Platform (Product Management) will define and execute the strategy for Visa’s enterprise Data Governance Platform. This role is critical to enabling trusted, compliant, and high-quality data products that accelerate AI-driven innovation and deliver measurable business impact. Partnering with engineering, data science, privacy, and compliance teams, you will lead the development of scalable governance capabilities aligned with Visa’s Data Products & Platforms Strategy.

Essential Functions

Platform Strategy

• Define and own the product vision, strategy and roadmap for Data Governance Platform, ensuring alignment with Visa’s enterprise data strategy and regulatory requirements.

• Champion key governance capabilities, including metadata management, data quality & control, access management, and consent management.

• Partner with senior stakeholders to translate business needs into governance strategies and deliver measurable OKRs/KPIs.

Product Management

• Lead the end-to-end product lifecycle: ideation, design, development, testing, launch, and continuous improvement.

• Convert business needs into platform requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria.

• Oversee critical platform features such as data catalog, data lineage, depersonalization, access management, storage and compute observability.

• Drive continuous improvement of data quality processes, leveraging automation and AI-driven insights.

Governance and Compliance

• Collaborate with Data/AI Policy & Governance teams to enforce lifecycle standards and consent management.

• Establish and enforce best practices for data governance, privacy, and security across all platforms, proactively mitigating data-related risks through robust compliance and governance frameworks.

• Stay ahead of emerging trends in data governance, cloud platforms, and AI/ML compliance.

Team and Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work closely with engineering, cybersecurity, and product teams to deliver scalable, secure solutions.

• Serve as a strategic link between the Global Data Office, business units and technology to ensure governance priorities align with product roadmaps.

• Build and mentor a high-performing team of product managers and analysts.

• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement, while promoting data literacy and embedding governance principles across the enterprise.

Note: Responsibilities may change based on business priorities and specific assignments.

This is a hybrid position. Expectation of days in office will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• 12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 10 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters/MBA /JD/MD), or a minimum of 5 years of work experience with a PhD

Preferred Qualifications

• 15 or more years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 12 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, or MD), PhD with 9+ years of experience
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale data platforms and governance solutions in global organizations.
• Deep expertise in data governance frameworks, metadata management, and cloud-based data platforms.

Technical and Regulatory Knowledge

• Strong understanding of data architecture principles, metadata management, access management, master data management and data quality.
• Hands-on experience with data catalogs, lineage tools, and automated governance technologies. Knowledge of cloud compute, storage, and engineering practices.
• Expertise in regulatory compliance (GDPR, CCPA) and enterprise data security.
• Competence in data quality assessment, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement of governance processes.
• Familiarity with AI/ML data lifecycle and compliance standards is a plus.

Leadership

• Proven leadership excellence: driving organizational change, managing global teams, and delivering innovation while strengthening core operations.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders, drive strategic initiatives and lead change management.
• Skilled at translating business needs into governance strategies and demonstrating ROI with measurable KPIs.
• People management: trusted coach and advocate for responsible data and AI use, with a track record of building high-performing teams.

Product Delivery and Communication

• Strong execution ability to simplify complexity, keep priorities on track, and lead cross-functional projects in ambiguous environments.
• Exceptional communication and influence skills across senior levels, geographies, and functions.
• Advanced product management skills, including proficiency with product management tools and Scaled Agile practices.
• Global perspective with experience in multi-national business environments.

Additional Information

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting. The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.

U.S. APPLICANTS ONLY: The estimated salary range for a new hire into this position is 229,000.00 to 357,950.00 USD per year, which may include potential sales incentive payments (if applicable). Salary may vary depending on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, this position may be eligible for bonus and equity. Visa has a comprehensive benefits package for which this position may be eligible that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (k), FSA/HSA, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Wellness Program.