Vice President, Global Data & AI Governance

Company Description

Visa is a world leader in payments technology, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories, dedicated to uplifting everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.

At Visa, you'll have the opportunity to create impact at scale — tackling meaningful challenges, growing your skills and seeing your contributions impact lives around the world. Join Visa and do work that matters — to you, to your community, and to the world.

Progress starts with you.

Job Description

The Global Data Office
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, analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) 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 VP, Global Data & AI Governance leads Visa’s enterprise-wide strategy, policy development, and oversight mechanisms for responsible data and artificial intelligence use. This executive ensures Visa’s data and AI practices meet the highest standards of security, ethics, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence—supporting the company’s mission to enable secure, trusted digital payments worldwide. With the fast evolution of data and AI, the leader must set a vision and process that evolves and anticipates the pace of innovation.

This role reports to the Chief Data Officer and works closely with leaders across, Privacy, Legal, Risk, Cybersecurity, Technology, and Product.  In addition to setting the strategy, executing data and AI governance, this leader is responsible to helping business leaders anticipate and ensure that our products, services and processes take into account data and AI governance from their inception.

Responsibilities include:

Strategy & Leadership

• Define and execute Visa’s global strategy for data and AI governance, ensuring compliance with Visa’s Data Values and AI Principles, evolving regulatory requirements and alignment with business priorities.
• Serve as Visa’s most senior authority on data governance, emerging AI regulation, and best practices for trustworthy AI.
• Present program updates, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations to executive forums, including the Operational Risk Sub-Committee (ORS) and Corporate Risk Committee (CRC).

Enterprise Data Governance

• Lead development and enforcement of global policies for data quality, metadata, lineage, classification, retention, access, and usage.
• Oversee enterprise data standards and operating models, including Data Stewardship networks and data domain ownership.
• Drive adoption of data and AI controls across business units and platforms, ensuring consistency and auditability.
• Integrate data and AI governance by harmonizing policy and governance practices across functions.
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AI Governance & Responsible AI

• Build Visa’s AI governance operating model, including risk assessments, model oversight committees, monitoring, and controls.
• Implement frameworks for ethical, transparent, and fair AI, aligned with evolving global regulations and industry standards.
• Partner with product, engineering, and data science teams to enable compliant, secure AI development and deployment.
• Establish mechanisms for model lifecycle management, testing, documentation, and explainability.

Risk, Regulatory Engagement & Client Inquiries

• Serve as a senior stakeholder with Legal, Compliance, and Regulatory Affairs on data- and AI-related supervisory matters.
• Engage directly with regulators, clients, and external partners, responding to inquiries, managing audits, and coordinating cross-functional remediation plans.
• Monitor global regulatory trends (e.g., EU AI Act, U.S. federal/state rules, other market-based requirements) and translate them into actionable controls.
• Support regulatory examinations, audits, and external reporting.

Change Management & Outreach

• Chair or co-chair enterprise governance forums across data and AI.
• Lead enterprise-wide change management campaigns, training programs, and awareness initiatives to strengthen Visa’s data and AI culture.
• Develop communications, learning tracks, and incentive programs for policy adoption.
• Partner with Privacy, Cybersecurity, Legal, and Risk teams to create unified governance programs across responsible data and AI and resolve strategic blockers.

Operational Excellence & Tooling

• Lead the implementation of enterprise data and AI governance platforms, workflows, automation, and reporting.
• Oversee delivery of performance metrics (KPIs/KRIs), dashboards, and governance maturity indicators for internal and external stakeholder.
• Drive process engineering and rapid learning experiments to streamline governance and improve turnaround times.

Team Management & Talent Development

• Direct a global, multi-disciplinary team, driving workforce planning, recruitment, professional development, and performance management.

• Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

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 experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters/ MBA/JD/MD) or at least 8 years of work experience with a PhD
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Data Science, Computer Science, Business, Law).
• Prior experience leading large, global teams.

Preferred Qualifications
• 15 or more years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD, PhD)
• Deep expertise in enterprise data management, regulatory frameworks (GDPR, CCPA, EU AI Act), model risk, and AI governance. Track record leading global governance programs in highly regulated industries (financial services preferred).
• Deep and practical expertise in data science, analytics and AI as a practitioner.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strategic vision and ability to execute complex initiatives.
• Proven ability to influence senior executives, manage complex multi-region initiatives, and drive enterprise-wide adoption.
• Exceptional communication and executive advisory skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Experience with model risk management (MRM), validation, and ML Ops environments.
• Knowledge of global privacy and data protection regulations.
• Hands on experience with data analytics and AI, including machine learning model development
• Financial acumen and business judgment.

Personal Attributes
• Executive presence and ability to represent Visa with senior stakeholders.
• Strong people leader, with passion for building and developing high-performing, diverse teams.
• Experienced collaborator at all levels, effectively managing through challenges to reach the best outcome.
• Results-oriented, collaborative, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to effectively manage operational disruptions and handle product operations crisis management situations.

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 this position is 261,900.00 to 458,000.00 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.