Senior Manager, Cross-Border Product Strategy & Commercialization

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Manager, Cross-Border Product Strategy & Commercialization Company: Visa Location: Foster City, California, United States Job Type: Full-time Category: Product Strategy & Commercialization (GTM Operations) Date Posted: September 22, 2025 Experience Level: Senior Manager (8+ years) Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the strategic planning and commercialization of Visa Direct's cross-border product offerings, focusing on expanding the North American business.
• Develop and execute Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies that identify and capitalize on new opportunities within the cross-border money movement landscape.
• Act as the 'Voice of the Customer', translating client requirements into actionable product enhancements, pricing strategies, and policy adjustments.
• Utilize strong analytical and financial modeling skills to build compelling business cases for product strategy recommendations and innovation commercialization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role sits within the Go-To-Market (GTM) and Product Strategy function, emphasizing the commercialization and scaling of financial products, specifically in the cross-border payments space. It requires a blend of strategic thinking, market analysis, and hands-on execution to drive business growth.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and refine comprehensive cross-border product strategies, incorporating market research, competitive analysis, and client feedback to support the North American Visa Direct growth agenda.
• Lead the end-to-end commercialization process for new product capabilities, ensuring successful market launch, adoption, and value realization.
• Craft dynamic GTM strategies, including opportunity sizing, value propositions, segment growth recommendations, and partnership targets to unlock new revenue streams.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, product marketing, communications, user experience, and design teams to ensure cohesive and impactful market activation and user experience enhancements.
• Create detailed business cases supported by financial modeling and market insights to secure buy-in for strategic initiatives and product investments.
• Deeply understand and leverage the Visa Direct Technology Stack, Digital Assets, Capabilities, and the broader processing and acquiring partner ecosystem to inform product development and commercialization.
• Develop tailored product positioning and messaging that resonates with priority client segments, driving demand generation and market activation campaigns.
• Continuously monitor the market landscape, identify emerging trends, and recommend innovative growth approaches for Visa's money movement products and services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on strategic execution, market analysis, and cross-functional collaboration, typical of a Senior Manager role focused on GTM and product commercialization. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying and addressing market opportunities.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree with 8+ years of relevant work experience, OR
• Advanced Degree (e.g., Masters, MBA, JD, MD) with 5+ years of relevant work experience, OR
• PhD with 2+ years of relevant work experience.

Experience:

• Significant experience in product management, strategy & operations, or strategy/management consulting.
• Demonstrated success in scaling businesses or products through strategic execution.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments and lead initiatives with minimal oversight.

Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in cross-border payments, including a thorough understanding of cross-border payment networks, treasury management, and foreign exchange (FX) is mandatory.
• Exceptional storytelling and communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in developing robust business cases using financial modeling, market research, and customer insights.
• Strong analytical skills with the capacity to summarize findings from data, perform root cause analysis, and ensure high-quality market analysis.
• Excellent critical thinking, organization, and detail-orientation.
• Expert-level proficiency in PowerPoint for developing compelling presentations and advanced-level proficiency in Excel for data analysis and financial modeling.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, coordinate activities, gain buy-in, and escalate issues appropriately.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in financial services, banking industry, fintech, or money transmitter environments.
• 6+ years of experience in client-facing roles or in go-to-market, commercialization, marketing, communications, or business development functions.
• Familiarity with APIs and their functionality, with knowledge or expertise in technical schemes strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated curiosity and a proactive approach to learning and driving personal and professional success.
• Ability to identify key strategic issues and generate innovative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize deep domain expertise in cross-border payments and strong strategic/analytical capabilities. The preference for client-facing and GTM experience, along with API knowledge, points to a role that bridges product, market, and technical understanding.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a clear progression of product strategy development, from market opportunity identification to commercialization execution, with quantifiable results.
• Showcase examples of building and presenting comprehensive business cases, including financial models, market sizing, and competitive analysis, that led to strategic decisions.
• Include case studies of successful GTM strategies, highlighting the planning, execution, and impact on client adoption and revenue growth.
• Provide evidence of translating customer requirements or pain points into tangible product enhancements or new service offerings.
• Present examples of cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management that were critical to driving product initiatives forward.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of market analysis frameworks used to identify and evaluate cross-border payment opportunities.
• Documentation of GTM planning processes, including segmentation, value proposition development, and channel strategy.
• Demonstration of how customer feedback loops were integrated into product strategy and commercialization processes.
• Evidence of financial analysis and modeling techniques applied to support product strategy recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, a role of this seniority in product strategy and commercialization would expect candidates to possess a portfolio that clearly articulates their strategic thinking, execution capabilities, and impact on business growth, particularly in complex financial products like cross-border payments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated salary range for this position is $159,100 to $230,900 USD per year. This range may also include potential sales incentive payments, if applicable. Salary will vary based on factors such as knowledge, skills, experience, and location.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, potentially with company match.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) / Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for healthcare expenses.
• Life Insurance coverage.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) for vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Wellness Program initiatives to support employee health and well-being.
• Eligibility for bonus and equity compensation.

Working Hours: Working hours will vary based on the needs of the department. The role is hybrid, with expectations for office days to be confirmed by the hiring manager. Travel requirement is 5-10%.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Senior Manager role in the tech/financial services sector in the Bay Area, reflecting the required experience and strategic responsibilities. The benefits package is standard for a large, established corporation like Visa.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Payment Technology. Visa is a global leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions across a vast network of consumers, merchants, and financial institutions worldwide. Company Size: Visa is a large, publicly traded company with tens of thousands of employees globally. This scale offers significant resources, established processes, and opportunities for broad impact. Founded: Visa was founded in 1958, with a long history and deep expertise in the payments industry, continually evolving to meet the changing financial landscape.

Team Structure:

• The role is within the Cross-Border Product Strategy & Go-To-Market team, which is likely part of a larger Product or Strategy division.
• This team comprises global payments experts focused on expanding the Visa Direct business, working closely with solutioning and sales teams.
• Expect a collaborative environment with strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making and strategic execution.

Methodology:

• The team leverages strong analytical skills to craft and execute strategic plans, implying a data-centric approach to problem-solving and business development.
• Emphasis on customer requirements, market research, and financial modeling to inform strategy and commercialization efforts.
• A "roll up your sleeves" attitude is encouraged, indicating a hands-on, results-oriented operational philosophy.

Company Website: visa.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Visa's established position in the market means the operations environment is likely structured, with clear processes and a strong focus on compliance and scalability. The team's role is crucial for driving innovation and growth within a core business segment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Manager. This level signifies a significant degree of autonomy, strategic responsibility, and leadership within a specialized domain. It involves managing complex projects, influencing stakeholders, and contributing to high-level business planning. Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior Manager typically reports to a Director or Vice President within the Product or Strategy organization. They would likely lead initiatives that require coordination across multiple departments, including Sales, Marketing, Product Development, and Technology. Operations Impact: The role directly impacts revenue growth by driving the strategy and commercialization of Visa Direct's cross-border capabilities. Success means expanding market share, increasing transaction volumes, and enhancing Visa's competitive position in the rapidly evolving money movement space.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to lead significant product initiatives, manage cross-functional teams, and potentially mentor junior team members.
• Domain Expertise: Deepen knowledge in cross-border payments, digital assets, and emerging payment technologies, becoming a subject matter expert.
• Strategic Influence: Contribute to the overall business strategy of Visa Direct and potentially broader Visa product roadmaps.
• Career Advancement: Potential progression to Director-level roles in Product Management, Strategy, or GTM, with broader P&L or business unit responsibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career advancement within a major financial technology company, with opportunities to develop leadership skills and gain deep expertise in a high-growth area of payments.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid position, indicating a mix of remote and in-office work. Specific expectations for office days will be communicated by the hiring manager. Office Location(s): Foster City, California. This location is a major hub for Visa, offering a dynamic work environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities and a concentration of industry talent.

Workspace Context:

• The Foster City office likely provides a collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and teamwork.
• Expect access to advanced technology and tools necessary for data analysis, strategy development, and communication.
• Opportunities for interaction with a diverse range of colleagues across various departments, facilitating knowledge sharing and cross-functional problem-solving.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours are expected, with flexibility based on departmental needs. The role requires occasional travel (5-10%).

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model reflects current industry standards, offering a balance between focused remote work and collaborative in-office engagement. The San Francisco Bay Area location places the role within a vibrant ecosystem of technology and finance professionals.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Deep dive into experience, strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of cross-border payments. Expect questions related to past successes and challenges.
• Panel Interviews: Meetings with cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Sales, Product Marketing, Engineering, Finance) to evaluate collaboration skills, communication effectiveness, and ability to influence.
• Case Study/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to prepare and present a strategic analysis, GTM plan, or business case related to cross-border payments, demonstrating their analytical and presentation skills.
• Final Round: Potentially with senior leadership to assess strategic vision and overall fit for the role and company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project or initiative, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, and the measurable results (e.g., revenue increase, market share growth, cost savings, adoption rates).
• Showcase Strategy: Demonstrate your thought process in developing product strategies, GTM plans, and business cases. Explain why you made certain decisions.
• Highlight Cross-Border Expertise: Ensure your portfolio includes specific examples related to cross-border payments, international markets, or complex financial products.
• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by functional area (strategy, GTM, analysis) or by key achievements. Use clear headings and concise descriptions.
• Presentation Readiness: Be prepared to walk through key portfolio items, articulating your role, the challenges, the solutions, and the outcomes in a compelling narrative.

Challenge Preparation:

• GTM Scenario: Be ready to outline a GTM strategy for a new cross-border payment product, considering target segments, value proposition, channels, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Market Analysis: Prepare to analyze a specific cross-border payment market or trend, identifying opportunities and threats for Visa Direct.
• Business Case Development: Practice building a simplified business case for a proposed product enhancement, including revenue projections and cost considerations.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Think about how you would gain buy-in from different departments (e.g., sales, legal, compliance) for a new initiative.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the strategic and commercialization focus, expect interview questions to probe deeply into strategic thinking, market analysis, financial acumen, and the ability to drive execution through cross-functional collaboration. A well-prepared portfolio is critical for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM: Likely Salesforce or a similar platform for managing client relationships and sales pipelines.
• Product Management Tools: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Aha!, or Productboard for roadmap planning, feature tracking, and documentation.
• Presentation Software: Expert-level PowerPoint is explicitly mentioned as required.
• Data Analysis & Modeling: Advanced Excel is required; familiarity with business intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) and potentially SQL for data extraction and analysis would be beneficial.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Visa likely utilizes sophisticated internal analytics platforms and potentially third-party data providers for market intelligence and performance tracking.
• Tools for financial modeling and forecasting are crucial for building business cases.

CRM & Automation:

• Understanding of how CRM systems integrate with product offerings and GTM strategies.
• Familiarity with marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot) may be helpful for demand generation campaigns.
• Knowledge of APIs is preferred, suggesting an understanding of how systems connect and data flows.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific internal Visa tools aren't listed, the requirements point to a need for proficiency in standard enterprise-level CRM, data analysis, and presentation software, with a preference for technical understanding related to APIs.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: Deeply understanding customer needs to inform product strategy and commercialization.
• Innovation: Continuously seeking new ways to enhance cross-border money movement capabilities and market approaches.
• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams to achieve shared goals and drive business impact.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing analytics and insights to guide strategic choices and measure success.
• Ownership & Accountability: Taking initiative and responsibility for driving projects to completion and achieving desired outcomes.
• Integrity: Upholding Visa's commitment to security, reliability, and ethical business practices.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, requiring strong partnerships with Sales, Product Marketing, Engineering, and other GTM functions.
• Emphasis on clear communication, active listening, and the ability to influence without direct authority.
• A culture that encourages constructive feedback and continuous improvement in processes and strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Visa's culture emphasizes professionalism, collaboration, and a commitment to innovation within the financial services sector. The operations team likely operates with a strong sense of purpose, contributing to global commerce.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Market Complexity: Navigating the intricate landscape of global regulations, currency exchange, and diverse payment infrastructures for cross-border transactions.
• Ambiguity: Thriving in a dynamic environment where strategies may need to adapt quickly to market shifts and new opportunities.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless collaboration and buy-in from multiple departments with potentially competing priorities.
• Scalability: Developing strategies and products that can scale effectively across different markets and client segments.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Exposure: Gaining deep insights into the evolving fintech and payments ecosystem, particularly in cross-border transactions.
• Strategic Skill Enhancement: Refining skills in market analysis, financial modeling, product strategy, and GTM execution.
• Networking: Building relationships with key stakeholders across Visa and within the broader financial services industry.
• Professional Development: Access to Visa's internal training programs, potential for external certifications, and opportunities to attend industry conferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents challenges that are typical for senior strategy and commercialization positions in a fast-paced industry, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed and executed a successful go-to-market strategy for a new financial product. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?"
• "How would you approach building a business case for a new cross-border payment feature, considering market analysis, financial projections, and potential risks?"
• "Walk me through your process for translating customer requirements into actionable product strategy recommendations."
• "How do you stay informed about trends in cross-border payments and fintech, and how do you incorporate this knowledge into your strategic planning?"
• "Describe a situation where you had to influence stakeholders across different departments to gain buy-in for your strategic recommendations. What was your approach?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Visa and specifically this role within the Cross-Border Product Strategy team?"
• "How do you handle working in ambiguous environments, and what strategies do you employ to bring clarity and drive progress?"
• "Describe your ideal team environment and how you contribute to a collaborative culture."

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Frame your portfolio pieces as narratives, highlighting the context, your specific contribution, the challenges faced, the solutions implemented, and the measurable impact.
• Focus on Relevance: Prioritize examples that directly relate to product strategy, commercialization, cross-border payments, GTM execution, and financial analysis.
• Quantify Achievements: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the success and ROI of your initiatives.
• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodologies, decision-making process, and the specifics of your past projects.
• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Clearly articulate why certain strategies were chosen and how they aligned with broader business objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, analytical rigor, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of the payments industry, particularly cross-border transactions. A well-structured portfolio presentation is key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Visa careers portal.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in cross-border payments, product strategy, GTM execution, financial modeling, and client management. Use keywords from the job description and quantify your achievements with specific metrics.
• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a portfolio that showcases your strategic thinking, GTM planning, business case development, and successful product commercialization initiatives. Prepare to discuss your contributions and the impact of your work.
• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Visa's business, its position in the payments market, Visa Direct's capabilities, and recent news or initiatives related to cross-border payments. Understand their mission and values.
• Interview Practice: Practice answering common interview questions related to strategy, problem-solving, collaboration, and your experience in the payments industry. Prepare specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.