Job Description
The Strategy & Transformation team serves as a critical driver of growth initiatives, business oversight functions, and an incubator for net new business development strategies within the U.S, Small & Medium Enterprises Organization (US SME) in Global Commercial Services (GCS). The Manager –Strategic Planning is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that drive efficiency and effectiveness across the US SME organization, lead enterprise-wide collaboration where necessary, and support our long-term growth plans. This is a critical role in ensuring the US SME organization is well positioned to deliver for our customers and shareholders, and support colleagues. The Manager will partner closely across Enterprise stakeholders including the SME Executive Office, client-facing teams (e.g., Sales, Account Development), Control Management, and Merchant Services to ensure clients realize the full potential of American Express Card & Non-Card product offerings.
A successful candidate will be a motivated initiative-taker who is passionate about and has experience bringing others along in a fast-paced environment. This role may be a great fit for talent experienced in driving strategic planning and transformation initiatives which span from concept development to Go-To-Market planning, through to designing Key Performance Indicators for measuring success across large organizations.
Responsibilities
- Drive strategic initiatives that create value, improve operational efficiency, and support US SME growth and risk management priorities.
- Lead cross-functional workstreams across US SME, Sales, Account Development, Control Management, Merchant Services, and other Enterprise partners to align priorities and execute business initiatives while minimizing risk.
- Develop and deliver executive-ready materials, agendas, and internal processes for senior leadership and key stakeholder forums.
- Translate customer and colleague feedback into roadmap priorities, partner plans, and strategic recommendations.
- Build, implement, and monitor plans that deliver measurable outcomes while ensuring adherence to controls, processes, and compliance expectations.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of professional experience, preferably with exposure to sales organizations, payments, partner management, and/or strategic planning.
- Proven ability to structure ambiguous business problems, lead matrixed initiatives, influence senior stakeholders, and drive alignment with limited direction across cross-functional teams and organizations.
- Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate strategies across growth, customer experience, operational, and risk dimensions.
- Exceptional project management and process design skills, with experience translating strategy into execution plans and measurable outcomes.
- Intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and a collaborative leadership style
- Bachelor’s degree required, MBA a plus
Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.
About Us
At American Express, our culture is built on a 175-year history of innovation, shared values and Leadership Behaviors, and an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities, and colleagues. From delivering differentiated products to providing world-class customer service, we operate with a strong risk mindset, ensuring we continue to uphold our brand promise of trust, security, and service.
As part of Team Amex, you’ll experience our powerful backing with comprehensive support for your holistic well-being and many opportunities to learn new skills, develop as a leader, and grow your career. Here, your voice and ideas matter, your work makes an impact, and together, you will help us define the future of American Express.
About The Team
We back you with benefits that support your holistic well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:
- Competitive base salaries
- Bonus incentives
- 6% Company Match on retirement savings plan
- Free financial coaching and financial well-being support
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits
- Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
- 20+ weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy
- Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location)
- Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program
- Career development and training opportunities
For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site .
American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. American Express will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For positions covered by federal and/or state banking regulations, American Express will comply with such regulations as it relates to the consideration of applicants with criminal convictions.
We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That's why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually.
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The below represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.
