Head of Generative AI Research

Company Description

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

Visa Research is seeking an exceptionalHead of Generative AI Researchto lead our strategic research initiatives in generative artificial intelligence. This senior leadership role will drive groundbreaking research across GenAI models, agents, reality applications, and privacy-preserving technologies. You will build and lead a world-class team of researchers, establish Visa as a thought leader in GenAI for commerce and payments, and translate cutting-edge research into transformative products and services.

As Head of Generative AI Research, you will shape Visa's GenAI research agenda, collaborate with top academic institutions, publish in premier AI conferences, and work closely with product and engineering teams to deploy GenAI innovations at scale across Visa's global network.

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership & Strategy

• Define and execute Visa's generative AI research strategy across model development, agent systems, reality applications, and privacy technologies
• Lead research initiatives in large language models (LLMs), multimodal models, diffusion models, and foundation model development
• Drive innovation in GenAI agents for autonomous decision-making, planning, and reasoning in commerce applications
• Pioneer research in GenAI reality applications including virtual shopping experiences, digital twins, and immersive commerce
• Advance privacy-preserving GenAI techniques including federated learning, differential privacy, and secure multi-party computation

Team Building & Management

Research Execution & Innovation

Academic & Industry Collaboration

Product & Business Impact

Thought Leadership

This is a hybrid position.Expectationofdays intheoffice will be confirmed by your Hiring Manager.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

10+ years of experience in AI / ML research, with 5+ years in a research leadership role managing researchers and research budgets / resources.

Programming proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX), along with a strong mathematical foundation (statistics, optimization, probability).

Experience with distributed training, GPU optimization, and large-scale ML infrastructure, including proficiency in cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and MLOps practices.

Proven track record of impactful research demonstrated by publications in top-tier venues, patents or intellectual property in AI / ML technologies, and contributions to open-source AI projects or frameworks.

Experience in financial services, payments, or e-commerce domains, with knowledge of areas like fraud detection, risk modeling, or recommendation systems.

Experience collaborating with academic institutions and industry research labs, active external engagement, such as speaking engagements at major AI conferences or editorial board membership / conference organizing experience.

Experience with responsible AI, fairness, and AI ethics.

Additional Information

Work Hours : Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements : This position requires travel5-10% 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 a new hire into this position is 258,100.00 to 403,400.00 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.