Manager, Government Affairs, Central Asia

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

Position Summary:
This role will be primarily responsible for managing Visa’s relationships with key government officials, policymakers, public influencers, and regulators in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The role will also work closely with the Central Asia Government Affairs Lead to support Government Affairs priorities and stakeholder engagement across the wider Central Asia region.

Key Responsibilities:

- Develop and execute a Government Affairs strategy, with clear objectives, timelines, and actions aligned to Visa’s global policy and regional priorities.

- Manage operations including budgets, reporting, and timely delivery of high-quality position papers, policy briefs, analyses, and engagement plans.

- Align policy initiatives with business goals and provide guidance to support market growth and innovation.

- Monitor and influence legislation, regulation, and policy affecting Visa’s interests, advocating for favorable outcomes.

- Build and sustain relationships with government bodies, industry groups, NGOs, and multilaterals; represent Visa in strategic forums to shape payment policies.

- Implement best practices in advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory monitoring; refine processes for efficiency and impact.

- Promote internal awareness of Government Affairs through training, briefings, and updates.

Key Competencies:

- Understanding of the digital payments industry and its economic and social impact.

- Strong ability to analyze, interpret, and anticipate regulations and policy frameworks impacting digital payments and fintech ecosystems.

- Proven experience in developing and implementing stakeholder relations strategies.

- In-depth knowledge of business and political environments in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

- Strong political and business acumen.

- Creative and innovative thinking.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

- Budgeting and financial management experience.

- Ability to work under pressure.

- Motivated self-starter, able to work independently and as part of a team with minimal supervision.

- Strong teamwork and cross-functional collaboration skills.

- Computer literacy.

- Fluency in Russian and English.

Job Scope:

- Reports to the Senior Director and Head of Government Affairs for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia.

- Works closely with country, CEMEA hub-level, and global colleagues, including teams in Country Management, Corporate Communications, Legal, Marketing, Strategy, Risk Management, Social Impact, and Products.

- Collaborates with Government Affairs colleagues globally to develop and refine best practices.

- Serves as a subject matter expert on policy, regulatory issues, and government relations for cross-divisional business teams.

Based in Visa’s Almaty, Kazakhstan office, this dynamic position requires a proactive, solution-oriented, articulate, and strategic thinker who can operate and interact at the highest levels of government. The role involves frequent travel within Central Asia.

Visa requires at least 3 days in office, expectations of these days will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

- 8+ years of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or at least 6 years of experience with an advanced degree (e.g., Master’s, MBA, JD, MD).

Preferred Qualifications:

- 10+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 7+ years with an advanced degree.

- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Public Policy, International Relations, Law, or related fields.

- 8–10 years’ experience in government relations, regulatory, or public policy roles.

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.