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Associate Director Strategy Operations Jobs in California

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Associate Director Strategy Operations information

What does an associate director strategy operations do?

An Associate Director of Strategy Operations is responsible for overseeing and guiding the strategic planning and operational execution within an organization. They work closely with senior leadership to develop business strategies, streamline processes, and ensure that key initiatives align with the company's goals. Their role often includes data analysis, project management, and cross-functional collaboration to drive organizational effectiveness and growth. Additionally, they may supervise teams, manage budgets, and monitor performance metrics to ensure successful outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate director strategy operations?

To thrive as an Associate Director of Strategy Operations, you need strong analytical abilities, business acumen, project management skills, and typically a degree in business, management, or a related field. Familiarity with data analytics platforms (such as Tableau or Power BI), project management tools (like Asana or Jira), and often an MBA or similar advanced certification are highly valued. Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills help drive team performance and organizational alignment. These skills are crucial for effectively translating strategic goals into actionable plans, optimizing operations, and ensuring successful execution of company objectives.

How does the associate director strategy operations typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive organizational initiatives?

The Associate Director of Strategy Operations plays a pivotal role in bridging strategy and execution by actively collaborating with departments such as finance, marketing, product development, and HR. They facilitate alignment on strategic priorities, coordinate project timelines, and ensure clear communication among stakeholders. This often involves leading cross-functional meetings, synthesizing input from various teams, and tracking progress against key objectives. Their collaborative efforts help ensure that strategic initiatives are executed effectively and that organizational goals are consistently met.

What is the difference between Associate Director Strategy Operations vs Associate Director Business Development?

AspectAssociate Director Strategy OperationsAssociate Director Business Development
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, MBA often preferred, relevant experienceBachelor's degree, MBA advantageous, sales or marketing experience
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-department collaboration, data analysisClient engagement, market research, partnership development
Employer & Industry UsageCorporate, consulting, finance sectorsCorporate, tech, and service industries
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding strategic roles, career pathsBusiness growth, client relations, sales strategies

The Associate Director Strategy Operations focuses on strategic planning, process optimization, and cross-functional collaboration, while the Associate Director Business Development emphasizes market expansion, client relationships, and sales growth. Both roles require strong leadership and analytical skills but serve different organizational functions within the same industry sectors.

Infographic showing various Associate Director Strategy Operations job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Director, Strategy & Business Operations

Foster City, CA • On-site, Remote

Visa
Finance and Insurance • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Visa rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 21 rated payment service providers


Job description

About Us
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.

Job Description

The Director, Strategy & Business Operations will serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the SVP, Platform Products. The role will help the Platform Products Leadership Team develop, communicate, and execute its strategy, translate priorities into measurable outcomes, and maintain alignment across a complex global portfolio.

This role combines strategic planning, business operations, executive communications, and cross-functional execution. The Director will support the articulation of the Platform Products strategy, organize structured deep dives with initiative owners, establish a disciplined operating rhythm, and provide clear, data-driven updates to senior leaders.

Working across Product, Technology, Design, Finance, People, and regional teams, the Director will help connect Visa's enterprise priorities to execution while advancing practical, AI-enabled ways of working that improve the quality and speed of planning, analysis, and communication.

Essential Functions

Strategic Planning & Execution
  • Partner with the SVP and Platform Products Leadership Team to develop, refine, and communicate the organization's strategy and priorities.
  • Ensure strategic priorities are clearly linked to evidenced client needs, business outcomes, and Visa's enterprise objectives.
  • Translate strategy into a focused set of outcomes, measures, and actions, with clear ownership and follow-through.
  • Support annual planning, quarterly business reviews, OKR development and review, and investment prioritization.
Strategy Deep Dives
  • Design and facilitate structured deep dives on the organization's most important strategic initiatives.
  • Partner with initiative owners to define the questions to resolve, assemble relevant facts, and develop clear options and recommendations.
  • Ensure reviews focus on client and business outcomes, strategic choices, execution confidence, dependencies, and decisions rather than activity reporting.
  • Synthesize discussions into clear decisions, actions, owners, and follow-up.
Executive Updates & Communications
  • Establish a regular cadence of concise executive updates covering progress against outcomes, material risks, key decisions, and areas requiring intervention.
  • Develop high-quality narratives, briefing materials, and presentations for senior leadership forums, business reviews, town halls, and other critical organizational moments.
  • Translate complex product, platform, and technology topics into clear, decision-oriented communications for varied audiences.
  • Support leadership messaging that strengthens organizational clarity, alignment, and engagement.
Business Management & Operating Rhythm
  • Lead key business management cadences, including strategy reviews, quarterly business reviews, OKR reviews, leadership meetings, off-sites, and planning processes.
  • Coordinate with Finance and People partners on workforce planning, budget management, organizational priorities, and performance measures.
  • Organize and prioritize critical information, issues, and data to support timely leadership decisions.
  • Drive follow-through on leadership decisions and time-sensitive deliverables, ensuring clear ownership and completion.
  • Continuously simplify processes, eliminate low-value activity, and improve organizational effectiveness.
AI-Enabled Ways of Working
  • Identify and apply AI-enabled tools and practices that improve strategy development, synthesis, planning, reporting, and executive communications.
  • Help initiative owners and leadership teams adopt practical new ways of working that increase productivity and decision quality.
  • Partner across Product and Technology to share effective practices and demonstrate measurable value from adoption.
Cross-Functional Partnership
  • Build strong working relationships across Product, Technology, Design, Finance, People, regional teams, and other Visa functions.
  • Bring together the right stakeholders to resolve cross-functional issues and maintain alignment on strategic priorities.
  • Act as a trusted point of coordination for matters requiring SVP or Leadership Team attention.
What Success Looks Like
  • The Platform Products strategy is clear, repeatable, and consistently connected to client and business outcomes.
  • Strategy deep dives result in sharper choices, timely decisions, named owners, and clear next steps.
  • Senior leaders receive concise, candid, and decision-oriented updates with early visibility into material risks and dependencies.
  • Planning and business management cadences improve focus, alignment, and execution without adding unnecessary process.
  • AI-enabled practices measurably improve the speed and quality of analysis, planning, and communication.

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

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

  • 10 or more years of relevant work experience in strategy, product, business management, consulting, technology, financial services, or a related field with aBachelor's Degreeor at least 8 years of work experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters/ MBA/JD/MD) or at least 3 years of work experience with a PhD.

Preferred Qualifications

  • 12 or more years of work experience with aBachelor's Degreeor 8-10 years of experience with an Advanced Degree (e.g. Masters, MBA, JD, MD) or 6+ years of work experience with a PhD
  • Demonstrated experience partnering with senior executives and preparing clear, decision-quality narratives and recommendations.
  • Experience leading strategic planning, business reviews, and complex cross-functional initiatives in a global or matrixed organization.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information for executive audiences.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, including the judgment to distinguish material issues from routine execution detail.
  • Ability to influence across organizational boundaries, challenge constructively, and drive outcomes without direct authority.
  • Experience with digital platforms, payments, product development, or scaled technology environments is preferred.
  • Practical experience using AI-enabled tools to improve analysis, planning, communication, or team productivity is preferred.

Leadership Profile

  • A strategic operator who can connect direction, execution, and measurable business outcomes.
  • An exceptional communicator who brings clarity to ambiguity and complexity.
  • A rigorous facilitator who asks incisive questions and helps leaders sharpen options and recommendations.
  • A collaborative partner who builds trust, exercises sound judgment, and works effectively across functions and regions.
  • A curious, learning-oriented leader motivated by the future of platforms, payments, product development, and AI-enabled work.
  • Outcome-oriented, low ego, and comfortable operating with pace in a dynamic environment.


Information for US Applicants

For roles located in the US, the estimated salary range for this position is $178,300 to $285,600 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.

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 protect veteran status. Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the EEOC guidelines and applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.

What Visa employees say

Pay

Benefits

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Visa logo

About Visa

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Visa is a global leader in digital payments, facilitating over 215 billion transactions annually across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through an innovative, reliable, and secure payments network, empowering individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. When you become a part of Visa, you join a purpose-driven culture that values growth, embraces diversity, and recognizes the significance of your contributions. We believe in creating inclusive economies that uplift everyone, everywhere. Your work at Visa will directly impact billions of people worldwide, enabling access to financial services and shaping the future of money movement.

Industry

Finance and insurance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Francisco, CA, US

Year founded

1958