Senior Manager – Merchant Services and Acquiring, Account Executive West Central Africa

Visa's Merchant Sales and Solution Team is seeking a Merchant Sales and Solutions Senior Manager who will have responsibility for driving in-market acceptance efforts of a new mobile payment solution. 

The Merchant Sales and Solutions Senior Manager has the responsibility of driving growth and development of meaningful and profitable merchant relations in West Central African markets, specifically being accountable and owning on key markets from a Merchant Servicing and Acquiring perspective. In addition, this role is responsible for working with the Head of Merchant Sales and Acquiring and the Group Country Manager/Country Managers on industry & regulatory initiatives and interchange management for the region.

The Senior Manager -  Merchant Sales and Solutions executes on the implementation of agreed merchant acceptance strategies that grow the penetration of electronic payments in this geography to drive the increase of Merchant Sales Volume (MSV) via implementing the new payment solution and building strong working relationships with client banks, key merchants and third party partners. The role is also responsible for understanding and communicating local market needs in order that the CEMEA Hub, Digital Team and Global Merchant Sales and Solutions organizations are able to effectively and efficiently define market specific strategies required to manage strategic and complex Acceptance issues.

Key Results Areas:

• Develop and execute the merchant acceptance, merchant relations and partner strategy for the region to increase Visa MSV, market share, data processing revenues and create acquirer, merchant and consumer preference for Visa.
• Partner with the Head of Merchant Sales and Acquiring and the Group Country Manager/Country Managers to execute on Nano Merchant Acceptance Strategy which will transform the landscape over a 3-year horizon.
• Drive acceptance of Visa payment solutions in the West Central African market, with a focus across various business segments, key among them top tier and marquee merchants.
• Secure and close leading deals with Fintechs across the region to drive non traditional transformation of the payments landscape in West Central Africa.
• Take the lead in negotiating large Strategic Partnerships with key clients and or partners to ensure that Strategic Imperatives are met.
• Develop strong market relationships with key Fintechs and Merchants meant to protect and grow Visa business and brand standing with these merchants
• Conduct quarterly business reviews with key Fintechs and Merchants with the aim of ensuring Visa relationship adds value to clients.
• Support the Director to execute on the fintech issuance, merchant acceptance, merchant relations and partner strategy for West Central Africa, increase Visa MSV, market share, data processing revenues and create acquirer, merchant and consumer preference for Visa.
• Play a hands-on role in the deployment and go to market of a new mobile based technology solution.
• Development of new initiatives/solutions, implement marketing/usage initiatives targeting traditional and new merchant segments, both in physical world and virtual world, with a focus on mobile based acceptance solutions. 
• Establish and foster relationships with Clients and internal stakeholders at all levels of staff and senior management.
• Understand client needs, solution deployment requirements in different environments and develop models of engagement that are easily replicable across organizations with similar characteristics for faster onboarding.
• Support local Client Sales and Digital Teams with their sales and enablement efforts. Maintain current knowledge of technologies, products, services, methods and applications and implement new approaches and practices as required.
• Maintain and build rapport with Digital and functional teams across Visa Inc. to exchange, learn and leverage best practices.

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

Local market and regulatory knowledge and functional experience in acceptance, merchant acquiring, interchange management, consulting, financial transaction processing knowledge and client sales, preferably Visa, supporting highly complex clients and/or services within a highly matrixed environment
Established networks at decision making levels with a strong business-to-
business sales track record.
Years of Experience: A minimum of 8 years of success in progressive
leadership positions in the Payments industry
Education (required): Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

Technical:
Working knowledge of payments network and processing services
Working knowledge of mobile technology
Demonstrated, detailed knowledge of the full breadth of acceptance and other products and services offered by Visa
Working knowledge of project management tools and application
Microsoft office tools e.g. PowerPoint, Excel, Word etc
Working knowledge of Visa systems (preferred)

Business:
Strong Sales and relationship management skills.
Broad and multiple industry exposure.
General finance and accounting knowledge and understanding.
Strong influencing and negotiation skills
Project management experience.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Experience shaping and delivering defined strategies.
Proven track record of driving growth and taking new products from conception to commercial launch.
Executive presence.
Global mind-set, desire and demonstrated ability to work cross-culturally.
Exposure to emerging payment solutions (mobile wallets, mobile money ecosy)

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.