The Senior Manager, Italy, Government Engagement (GE) is a full-time role based in Milan, reporting to the Director, Government Engagement, Southern Europe. Some travel in the region may be required from time to time as the role is part of the broader Visa Europe GE team.

This role includes Government Engagement (GE) across the Visa Europe region. It requires strong collaboration with GE market leads and subject matter experts across the Europe region on linked initiatives, and works in close coordination with the GE team in Brussels. The role may also provide industry expertise and support to global colleagues as required.

There is a focus on supporting Visa's wider GE strategy, including support for Visa executives to execute strategic engagement, working to deliver proactive strategic opportunities to work with the Turkish Government and regulator stakeholders, and helping to ensure that policy frameworks are conducive to a fair, competitive and successful operating environment for Visa's current and future business.

Headline objectives of the role are:

• Strengthen Visa’s leadership in Italy, increasing our impact on policy to enable the Visa 2030 corporate strategy

• Nurture Visa’s reputation in local markets through cultivating long-term, trusted relationships with critical government and regulatory stakeholders and by promoting Visa as a constructive partner to enable growth

• Seek to safeguard Visa’s “right-to-play” in Italy, as an enabler of the Visa 2030 corporate strategy, through the identification and execution of engagement strategies

• In alignment with the GE strategies and relevant market priorities, execute strategic client engagement focused on adding qualitative and meaningful value to the business relationships

• Promote a culture that maintains the highest degree of collaboration, integrity, inclusion and accountability

What we expect of you, day to day:

VISA AS A CRITICAL PARTNER:

• Develop a Government account plan for Italy, including strategic engagement with key government stakeholders for Regional Market Directors, country managers, and other functional leaders

• Create and execute opportunities to demonstrate the value of Visa across the markets to Government partners

• Execute strategic Visa presence at important political and policy events, alongside and in consultation with GE colleagues and corporate affairs functions as appropriate

SUPPORT CORE BUSINESS AND GROWTH:

• Proactively monitor the external political and policy environment. Identify, assess and seek to address major risks to Visa’s business objectives, alongside other functions

• Work alongside the business to support growth ambitions. Work in alignment with Visa Government Solutions to help position Visa as a partner to Governments

DRIVE CLIENT VALUE:

• Partner with priority client directors and country managers to gain a deep understanding of top client priorities

• Undertake systematic, ongoing GE engagement with key clients in alignment with GE priorities and strategies

• Seek to identify opportunities to showcase Visa’s GE credentials and skillset to add value to the business relationship with clients

Additional responsibilities:

• Work constructively in different markets with other functions, across the regional and global environment, in a matrix environment

• Share know how and expertise with GE counterparties in other Regions

• Help drive the continuous enhancement of function, toolkit and staff

• Support open, timely and targeted communication with executives to ensure awareness of main regulatory, policy and engagement developments and strategy to protect Visa business and reputation

• Maintain a relentless focus on the bigger picture, adopting a strategic approach

• Promote diversity and inclusion in all engagements

Experience & Skills

• Demonstrable experience in relevant corporate position, including primarily in-house team/regulatory/ government agency, prominent consultancy

• Proven experience of senior executive engagement and managing upwards

• Very strong collaborator required

• Proven strategic advocacy skills and excellent communicator

• Strong digital services and/or technology interest: knowledge of the payment industry is a plus

• Good inter-personal skills and stakeholder management experience

• Excellent written and spoken communication including presentation abilities

• Strong analytical skills

• Ability to act independently and flexibly within a multi-disciplinary matrixed team

• A relevant degree in Politics, Economics or Law is desirable, but not essential

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

Basic Qualifications

• 8 or more years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor Degree or at least 5 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 2 years of work experience with a PhD

Preferred Qualifications

• 9 or more years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor Degree or 7 or more relevant years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 3 or more years of experience with a PhD
• Italian mother tongue proficiency essential
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English

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.