Having already worked closely with Visa to provide Employer of Record (EOR) services across Iraq, UAE, Lebanon and various African nations, it was our pleasure to support their Executive Search recruitment in South Africa for a seasoned Senior Director—someone who could drive financial strategy and growth as the division's Head of Finance.
The Challenge: Attracting & Recruiting the Right Candidate for Visa's Strategic Goals
Visa needed a seasoned Senior Director and Head of Finance to oversee the financial integrity, strategic planning, and fiscal growth of Visa's operations in the region. The role demands a unique blend of deep financial expertise, experience in payment ecosystems, and the ability to lead high-stakes financial decision-making in a dynamic market.
A highly specialised search, this required the mselect team to find a leader who could balance strategic finance leadership with knowledge of the payments industry.
Key challenges included:
Financial Leadership: Identifying a candidate with proven experience in senior finance roles, preferably within multinational financial services, banking, or technology sectors.
Industry Knowledge: A strong understanding of payment systems, revenue models, fintech partnerships, and regulatory frameworks in Southern Africa.
Strategic Influence: The ability to serve as a key advisor to the country and regional management teams, driving budgeting, forecasting, and investment decisions.
Stakeholder Management: Expertise in engaging with auditors, regulatory bodies, banking partners, and global finance teams within Visa.
Our Process: A Focused Executive Search for Financial Leadership
We executed a targeted Executive Search strategy, prioritising high-calibre candidates with backgrounds in top-tier financial institutions, consulting firms, or fintech companies with exposure to Visa's core business areas.
We did this by:
Sector-Specific Mapping: We focused on professionals with senior finance experience in payment processing, banking, or related financial services, ensuring they are familiar with the industry's complexities.
Confidential Outreach: We discreetly engaged with passive high-calibre candidates currently in leadership roles at competitors, banks, or advisory firms.
Rigorous Assessment: Our evaluation emphasised
Expertise in financial planning & analysis (FP&A), compliance, and risk management.
Experience driving growth through sound financial strategy in a regulated industry.
Leadership qualities and ability to mentor teams in a multicultural environment.
Alignment with Visa's Culture: We prioritised candidates who demonstrated innovative thinking and alignment with Visa's values of collaboration, integrity, and excellence.
The Result: A Strategic Finance Leader Appointed
We can confirm that we successfully placed a highly qualified Senior Director, Head of Finance at Visa with:
Over 15 years of experience in financial leadership roles within multinational financial services organisations.
Deep expertise in payment industry revenue models, regulatory compliance, and strategic financial planning.
A proven ability to lead finance teams and collaborate with executive leadership to support market growth.
Strong existing relationships within the South African banking and fintech sectors.
This appointment equipped Visa with a finance leader capable of steering the company's fiscal strategy, enhancing financial performance, and supporting sustainable growth in the competitive payments sector of Southern Africa.
Looking for your next Senior Director? Partner with mselect's Executive Search Team
We have a highly resourceful team of Executive Search professionals who lead our services across our international hubs. They will work with you to deliver a executive or C-suite candidate who can:
Seamlessly fit into the culture of your organisation
Yet can still drive positive change
Inspire your workforce to provide stronger results
While effectively planning and executing your company's vision
We also know how to structure your compensation and retention frameworks so that they stay once we've found the perfect fit. Giving you the confidence to concentrate on running your business and breaking new ground.
Ready to get started with your next executive search?