Director of Corporate Communications - UK and Ireland at Visa

Job Description

The Role

• As Director of Corporate Communications for the UK and Ireland, you will be a strategic partner to the business, shaping and executing integrated communications that protect and enhance Visa’s reputation, drive employee engagement, and support our commercial priorities. You’ll drive meaningful impact through storytelling, and data, ensuring our voice is relevant, bold, and aligned with Visa’s FY26 strategy and 2030 vision. This lynchpin role is central to motivating and inspiring colleagues, protecting Visa’s license to operate, shaping the landscape and narrative, driving client awareness and preference in Visa.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor and communications business partner to the UK and Ireland business, providing strategic counsel on reputation, media, and employee engagement.
• Lead and deliver integrated communications campaigns that support business growth.
• Develop and execute an internal communications programme that builds pride, alignment, and connection across teams.
• Partner with European and global comms teams to localise global narratives and amplify impact.
• Manage media relations, including proactive storytelling and reactive issues management, with a strong network of journalist relationships.
• Create compelling content across formats—press releases, blogs, video, social media, executive speeches—that brings Visa’s focus and priorities to life.
• Build and manage executive visibility programmes for leaders, including media training and thought leadership.
• Support crisis and issues response as part of the Europe Corporate Communications team.
• Track and report on communications impact using data and insights to continuously optimise.
• Collaborate closely with the Corporate Affairs team, including Government Engagement, to align messaging and support Visa’s strategic objectives.
• Work in partnership with the Marketing team to ensure consistent and impactful storytelling across all channels.
• Drive thought leadership initiatives that position Visa as a forward-thinking leader in the payments and technology space.
• Line management responsibilities, including coaching, performance management, and development of direct reports.

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

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

• Extensive experience and a proven track record of strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration in a corporate environment.
• Strategic communicator with a passion for storytelling and a track record of delivering high impact campaigns.
• Demonstrates exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling, and audience-tailored content across a variety of formats and channels.
• Deep enthusiasm for emerging technologies and a commitment to driving innovation that transforms ideas into impactful solutions.
• Proven ability to build and nurture strong business relationships across internal and
• external stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration to drive strategic
• communication outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and resolve complex challenges through strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and data-informed decision-making.
• Experience in a matrixed, multinational environment, ideally in financial services, technology, or regulated industries.
• Strong media relations skills and ability to manage complex reputational issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage agencies, and deliver results under pressure.
• Deep understanding of the evolving media landscape, including digital, social, and influencer engagement.
• Proven track record of leading and optimizing agency partnerships to deliver high-impact campaigns, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, brand standards, and performance metrics.
• Experience with measurement and evaluation tools to demonstrate ROI and inform strategy.
• A collaborative mindset and a commitment to inclusion, innovation, and continuous learning.