GCC Data Science Manager

Responsibilities

• Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (role operates from within the UAE, hybrid schedule)
• Build and manage long-term relationships with large GCC clients and client Data Science teams
• Lead end-to-end VCA project lifecycle: sales support, proposal & pricing, kickoff, execution, storytelling, and post-implementation support
• Collaborate with VCA leadership for proposal approvals and internal alignment
• Develop analytics and model-based solutions for issuers, acquirers, merchants, and fintech clients (market sizing, targeting, cross-sell/upsell, marketing, risk, fraud, portfolio optimization)
• Identify and automate recurring project pipelines using modern Data Science techniques
• Review, guide, and mentor junior analysts and data scientists; manage and grow team talent
• Work with regional and global Data Science teams to develop scalable analytic products and solutions
• Introduce cutting-edge tools and techniques (including LLMs/agents) and evolve next-generation analytic methods
• Collaborate with Technology and Data Engineering to leverage internal platforms, APIs, microservices, and data ecosystems
• Ensure adherence to Model Risk Management, Visa Analytics Rules, and global privacy standards

Requirements

• 8+ years
• Postgraduate degree
• Payments experience
• Machine learning
• Model production
• Programming (Python)
• Big data platforms
• SQL expertise
• Project management
• GCC travel

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Spark, R, Scala, or Java
• Familiarity with Hadoop, Hive, HBase, Elasticsearch
• Experience building ETL/data pipelines and using tools like NiFi or Sqoop
• Knowledge of data modeling, JSON/XML, Avro/schema management
• Familiarity with LLMs and agent development
• Front-end UI/UX development capability (plus)
• Experience drafting solution architecture using APIs and microservices
• Strong people leadership and mentoring track record

Benefits

• Hybrid working arrangement based in Dubai
• Support for regional travel on short notice
• Competitive company benefits (health & insurance offerings typical for the employer)

About the Company

Visa is a global leader in payments and technology, enabling secure and reliable payments across more than 200 countries and territories. The company focuses on innovation, scale, and collaboration to uplift individuals, businesses, and economies. This role is part of Visa's GCC analytics organization and operates from Dubai, UAE, serving clients across the Gulf Cooperation Council region.