Sr Director, Developer Adoption & Experience

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.

Visa Direct is seeking a Senior Director of Onboarding and Developer Experience to lead the combined strategy for:

• End-to end client onboarding from client product setup to developer integration
• Core API platform infrastructure, governance, and environments
• Developer experience (DX) and adoption products that accelerate time‑to‑value
• AI‑driven capabilities that enhance internal efficiency, standardization, and client integration velocity

This leader sits at the intersection of platform architecture, developer and testing experience, and enrollment process automation. You will drive the evolution of Visa Direct’s developer ecosystem by modernizing foundational infrastructure and leveraging AI to deliver intelligent tools that streamline internal workflows and radically simplify integration for our global clients.

This role reports to the Vice President of Client Experience.

Key Responsibilities:

AI Strategy & Applied Innovation:

• Develop and own the roadmap for the onboarding and DX organization, focusing on practical applications that reduce manual effort, improve quality, and accelerate delivery.
• Drive use of AI and automation for internal processes such as API governance, specification normalization, documentation generation, environment configuration, and quality review.
• Build AI‑powered developer‑facing tools (e.g., onboarding copilots, intelligent API explorers, automated troubleshooting assistants) that simplify complex multi‑product integrations.
• Partner with engineering, architecture, security, and compliance to safely deploy AI systems aligned with Visa standards.
• Establish frameworks that ensure consistency and standardization of APIs, SDKs, and developer content through AI‑assisted validation and generation.

Platform & Infrastructure Leadership:

• Lead strategy for API infrastructure, environments, and core services that support global developer usage.
• Oversee governance for API standards, lifecycle management, technical review, and automated compliance mechanisms.
• Build and refine platform services such as routing, notifications, and error handling
• Integrate AI‑driven monitoring and anomaly detection to improve reliability and accelerate issue resolution.

Adoption & Enablement:

• Own the full onboarding journey from initial discovery to production success, emphasizing AI‑enhanced experiences.
• Deliver intuitive self‑service tools, portals, and SDKs that leverage AI to minimize integration complexity.
• Lead documentation strategy, using AI to accelerate content generation, ensure consistency, and tailor experiences dynamically for different client and developer profiles.
• Expand SDK operating models and use ML‑assisted insights to prioritize enhancements.
• Drive adoption metrics using behavioral analytics, automated insights, and proactive support systems.
• Implement a client and developer forum to consistently and reliably collect feedback across different client profiles.

Cross‑Functional Leadership & Collaboration:

• Partner closely with engineering, product, data science, and global relationship/solutions teams.
• Champion a shared platform vision across Visa Direct teams, ensuring alignment between underlying infrastructure and AI‑enhanced experience layers.
• Communicate an inspiring strategy that connects AI innovation with business outcomes, client success, and operational efficiency.

People & Organizational Leadership:

• Lead, mentor, and grow a team spanning platform infrastructure, API governance, developer experience, and AI‑enabled tooling.
• Establish strong execution practices supported by AI‑driven efficiencies and insights.
• Foster a culture of experimentation, innovation, and responsible AI use.

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

Basic Qualifications:

• 12 or more years of work experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or at least 10 years of work experience with an Advanced degree (e.g. Masters/MBA /JD/MD), or a minimum of 5 years of work experience with a PhD

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15 or more years of experience with a Bachelor’s Degree or 12 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, or MD), PhD with 9+ years of experience
• 10+ years building developer‑facing products, tooling, APIs, SDKs, or AI‑enabled systems.
• 7+ years of product management or technical leadership.
• Deep expertise in API design, microservices, and platform architecture.
• Strong understanding of developer experience, user‑centered design, and AI‑driven user tooling.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to simplify complex technical topics.
• Experience with large‑scale API programs, developer platforms, or AI‑enabled developer tools.
• Background in security, compliance, or highly regulated payments ecosystems.
• Experience with infrastructure as code, gateway/traffic systems, or automated deployment.
• Experience with developer relations, community building, or user research.
• Previous leadership of hybrid product teams spanning platform, AI, and developer experience.

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 229,000.00 to 400,900.00 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.