Direct Report to: Vice President, Government Relations Asia Pacific (Singapore-based)
Indirect Report to: Group Country Managers, Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand (SMT) and Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam (IPV) (Singapore-based)
The Head of Government Affairs, South East Asia is a key full-time role focused on Visa’s government, regulatory and stakeholder affairs across South East Asian markets.
Delivering against and further development of key Government Affairs work streams will be critical. These include:
-prominently positioning Visa with political, regulatory and policy decision-makers in countries across South East Asia and with ASEAN as an organization;
-working to minimise the impact on Visa’s business, and the expansion of the electronic payments industry in general, of proposed new public and regulatory policies, including at the regional level;
-working to reform existing public and regulatory policies where they negatively impact on a fair, level and successful operating environment for Visa’s business, particularly where they impose regulatory burdens unequally;
-assisting in identifying business opportunities with government and ensuring Visa is well positioned to take advantage of potential partnerships with national and sub-national government agencies in the delivery of social services, payment of taxes, expansion of travel and tourism, furtherance of financial inclusion, and other potential government programs that may benefit from the application of electronic payments; and
-driving the continuous enhancement of Visa Government Affairs function, toolkit, staff and agency competency (as relevant).
As a member of the regional Government Relations team, the position demands the ability to work constructively in a market, regional and global corporate environment, including working as a member of cross-functional teams. The ability and willingness to play an active role in developing strategic positions on market, regional and global public and regulatory policy positions for Visa will be essential. Crisis management and response skills are imperative for this position.
The ability to work independently is expected and frequent travel within the South East Asian region and to regional meetings are also features of the position.
Responsibilities
-Develop and implement an overall government affairs strategy for South East Asia and ASEAN as a region in close coordination with the VP Government Relations Asia Pacific, the Group Country Managers and other Visa business leaders to achieve agreed objectives.
-Monitor the regulatory and political landscape throughout South East Asia for threats and opportunities to Visa’s business and communicate this intelligence to locally-based business leaders, functional colleagues and global management.
-Manage Visa’s relationships with officials at key government agencies (e.g., Ministries of Finance, central banks, Ministries of ICT etc.) throughout South East Asia including education of these officials about the value of Visa thereby improving the company’s overall reputation.
-Regularly communicate directly with lawmakers, government officials, regulators, and policy makers that may impact Visa’s business to enhance Visa’s reputation and competitive position.
-Develop and deliver informative and engaging local communications about the value of Visa and the payments industry in general that is fully aligned with business priorities and global branding.
-Support adequate and ongoing Group Country Manager contact with key lawmakers and regulators.
-Recommend appropriate contacts and communication channels between Visa country and regional executive leadership and senior government officials.
-Ensure local, group, and global business subject matter experts conduct regular face-to-face technical issue briefings with relevant regulators and government officials.
-Recommend, engage and manage Visa’s relationships with necessary third-party intermediaries including government affairs advisors, industry associations, broad-based and business trade associations, diplomatic missions and civil society organizations.
-Establish and maintain appropriate contact with counterparts at other industry participants including client banks, and where legally permissible, competitors.
-Promote Visa’s reputation and profile by speaking at public events, legislative hearings, industry conferences, association committees and roundtables, etc.
-Contribute to the development of Visa’s Corporate Responsibility program and corporate charitable activities in countries in South East Asia ensuring reputable positioning of Visa.
-Be acutely aware of potential global implications of local issues and coordinate their management with global colleagues.
-Manage effectively the Government relations teams across Visa’s SE Asia locations
Qualifications
-15+ years in relevant corporate position; regulatory or government agency; and/or consultancy serving equivalent client
-First degree minimum; advanced degree preferred
-Active network of senior government contacts in South East Asia countries. Indonesia experience desirable.
-In-depth knowledge of the electronic payments industry and local political environments
-Management experience, including in leading a multi-location/multi-country team
-Political acumen
-Strong financial services and/or technology pedigree
-Strategic advocacy and communications planning skills
-Superior inter-personal and presentational skills
-Confident and authoritative manner in all communication channels
-Outstanding written communication abilities in English. A South East Asian language is desirable but not essential
-Ability to act independently but also within a team environment
-Strong digital research and communications skills
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