Vice President, Reputation Communications

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Vice President, Reputation Communications

Position Overview
Mastercard is seeking a dynamic and strategic communicator to help protect and strengthen the company’s corporate reputation in an always on world. This leader will closely monitor global events and geopolitical dynamics, anticipate emerging risks, and guide the organization through moments of uncertainty. This role will work with the company’s communications leadership team and collaborate with other business units to deliver on key objectives. Success in this role requires sound judgment, steady leadership under pressure, and the ability to navigate situations with speed, empathy, and precision.

Role Responsibilities
• Reputation & Issues Management: Lead the proactive identification, assessment, and mitigation of emerging risks and issues. Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to enhance and safeguard Mastercard’s reputation among key stakeholders, including media, investors, partners, employees, and the public. Ensure clear, consistent, and timely messaging across channels.
• Executive Counsel: Advise senior leaders and executive teams on sensitive reputational issues, providing communications guidance during high-stakes situations. Extend these activities in the management of a holistic communications plan supporting the CFO and Investor Relations.
• Media Relations: Cultivate relationships with key journalists and outlets – in partnership with our storytelling team – to promote Mastercard’s story and create a receptive environment for advocacy efforts.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal teams (Legal, Risk, HR, Operations, Corporate Security) and external partners to ensure coordinated responses to reputational threats and crises.
• Message Development: Craft and deliver compelling, accurate, and consistent messages for internal and external audiences during reputation-impacting events.
• Monitoring & Reporting: Implement systems for monitoring media coverage, social sentiment, and emerging reputational risks. Provide regular reports and analysis to executive leadership.
• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor other members of the communications team, fostering a culture of agility, accountability, and collaboration.

About You
• Progressive experience in corporate communications, with a strong background in crisis and issues management.
• Proven track record of navigating a corporate environment to successfully promote, protect and defend the company’s reputation.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate issues, connect multiple inputs and develop proactive solutions.
• Creative mindset to blend proven tactics with new thinking and new approaches.
• Strong leadership, team management, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Ability to be resilient and calm under pressure to work effectively and deliver results in fast-paced environments.
• Experience in financial services or technology sectors at both a global and regional level is a plus.

Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;

• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;

• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and

• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.

In line with Mastercard’s total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. The base salary offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Mastercard benefits for full time (and certain part time) employees generally include: insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance); flexible spending account and health savings account; paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave); 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time, 25 days of vacation time and 5 personal days, pro-rated based on date of hire; 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays; 401k with a best-in-class company match; deferred compensation for eligible roles; fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities; eligibility for tuition reimbursement; and many more. Mastercard benefits for interns generally include: 56 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time; jury duty leave; and on-site fitness facilities in some locations.

Pay Ranges

Purchase, New York: $217,000 - $359,000 USD