Director, Internal AI & Data Science

Company Description

Visa is a world leader in payments and technology, with over 259 billion payments transactions flowing safely between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities in more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive while driven by a common purpose – to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience Life at Visa.

Job Description

With data being the fuel that drives our future - our strategies, policies, and business successes around data will define our future growth prospects. Unlocking the value available through the innovative use of data on behalf of consumers, businesses, and communities is key to our future. With our ongoing commitment to Visa’s Data Values and the responsible use of data, we at Visa have a bold vision to continue to grow and accelerate our data-related businesses and capabilities. 

Led by Visa’s Chief Data Officer, the Global Data Office coordinates high-impact, complex, company-wide projects related to data business strategy, critical investments, policy development, and marketplace execution. Working closely with Visa’s Chief Privacy Officer, the Technology organization, the wider data community, and the full set of Visa’s global lines of business, the Global Data Office is evolving Visa’s data-related work with momentum and enthusiasm. Driven by its commitment to trusted use of data, Visa is seeking enthusiastic leaders who are change-agents and passionate about the future of data around the world. 
The Global AI & Data Science team under the Global Data Office is focusing on how we can better create, enrich, and validate our own data sets using both internal data and external data sources, focusing on using AI and ML models to systematically collect and process data so that it can be used as a ground truth for many uses within Visa. 

In this role, you will lead a team of data scientists contributing to develop AI driven products and services, specifically focused on development of models and for collection and integration of external data sources into our own data, to be used to enrich our understanding of how Visa technologies are used to pay and be paid. The goal is to build a next-generation repository that can keep in line with the changing ways Visa credentials can be used. 

Responsibilities include:  
Overall design, development and delivery of approaches needed for collection, processing, and integration of external, structured and unstructured data at scale, into a flexible data model. 
•    Data sources include information about business across industry segments, across global markets, and spanning social media, public, and commercial databases.
•    Transforming the above data assets into a multitude of intelligent tags and personas using appropriate, scalable, modeling techniques.

Technical Leadership:
- Develop and execute a vision for data science capabilities related to enriching internal data sets
- Lead the design and development of large-scale data science systems
- Foster innovation and experimentation within the team

Team Management:
- Lead and manage a team of data scientists
- Provide guidance and mentorship to ensure high-quality deliverables
- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning

Data Science:
- Apply advanced data science techniques to drive business impact
- Stay up to date with industry trends and emerging technologies
- Develop and maintain expertise in multiple programming languages, AI/ML, GenAI/LLMs, and data science tools 

Collaboration:
- Work closely with cross-functional teams to integrate data science capabilities
- Communicate complex technical concepts and results to stakeholders
- Influence business decisions with data-driven insights

Technical Expertise:
- Develop and maintain expertise in multiple programming languages (e.g., Python, R, Spark)
- Stay current with industry trends and advancements in data science tools and technologies (e.g.,   TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn)

Strategy:
- Develop and execute a plan for enrichment of core data sources aligned with business goals
- Identify opportunities for data science to drive business impact
Communication:
- Communicate complex technical concepts and results to stakeholders
- Present data science capabilities and results to senior leadership and business partners

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

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications
-10 or more years of work experience with a bachelor’s degree or at least 8
years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters/MBA
/JD/MD), or a minimum of 3 years of work experience with a PhD

Preferred Qualifications
-Minimum of 12 years of analytical experience in applying solutions to business
problems
-Post Graduate degree in a Quantitative field
-Advanced Degree/PhD with specialization in AI, Computer Science, Operations
Research, Statistics or a highly quantitative field
-Strengths in Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Recommendation systems,
Generative models, Statistical analyses
-Expertise in multiple programming languages (e.g., Python, R, Spark)
-Experience with data science tools and technologies (e.g., TensorFlow,
PyTorch, scikit-learn)
-Experience working with real-world data sets and building scalable models
from large-scale data.
-Experience in working with unstructured data and data collection methods
-Experience working with Large Language Models
-Experience working with cross-functional teams (e.g., product, engineering,
marketing)
-Fluent storyteller with superior interpersonal skills
-Orientation to detail, as expected to ensure highest level of quality/rigor
-Strong project management skills and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-
moving work environment
-Ability to coach, lead and provide direction to a technical data science team
-Possess a collaborative, diplomatic, and flexible style, with the ability to tailor
communication to various audience levels
-Results oriented with strong conceptual, analytical, and problem-solving skills,
with demonstrated intellectual and analytical rigor
-Exhibit intellectual curiosity and strive to continually learn
-Experience working in global organizations and roles that need collaboration
with stakeholders, partners and development team spread around the globe,
gathering regional and global requirements
-Previous exposure to financial services, payments, or e-Commerce industry is a
plus but not mandatory

Additional Information

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% 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 $177,700 to $284,600 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.