Director - Strategic Alliances

Global Commercial Services (GCS) is the global leader in providing payments solutions for Small, Medium and Large businesses. To ensure we keep being on the forefront of the dynamic commercial payments landscape, the GCS Strategic Alliances team is tasked with defining the long-term business objectives, setting businesses priorities, and driving strategic inorganic growth opportunities to accelerate revenue growth through partnerships. 

How will you make an impact in this role?

The Global Commercial Payments Strategic Alliances team builds and scales strategic partnerships with leading companies across the payments and expense management ecosystem to accelerate GCS’s growth strategy. This role will help shape the value proposition for GCS customers by identifying and developing new external partnership opportunities across products, services, distribution, and ecosystem capabilities. The successful candidate will lead cross-functional efforts to bring these opportunities to life, influence senior stakeholders, and drive measurable business impact through high-value external partnerships.

• Own and lead a portfolio of strategic partnerships on behalf of Global Commercial Services that advance commercial priorities and deliver measurable business impact
• Develop and execute multi-year partnership strategies with external partners across payments, expense management, and adjacent platform ecosystems, including joint business plans, growth initiatives, and innovation roadmaps
• Lead alignment across Product, Marketing, Field Sales, Technology, Operations, Finance, Legal, Compliance, and other key stakeholders in support of partnership strategy and execution
• Work cross-functionally and with external partners to identify opportunities, solve complex problems, and deliver payments and expense management solutions that create customer value and strengthen our commercial payments ecosystem
• Develop new partnership frameworks, business cases, and implementation plans in alignment with senior management, translating strategy into scalable execution
• Lead the full partnership lifecycle, including opportunity evaluation, deal structuring, contracting, negotiation, implementation, and ongoing performance management
• Build strong partnerships with the General Counsel’s Organization, Compliance, and other control teams to support new business development initiatives with appropriate governance and rigor
• Lead and develop a high-performing team, setting clear priorities and enabling strong execution across a portfolio of strategic partnership opportunities
• Ensure the team remains informed on the competitive landscape, emerging technologies, and market trends to identify opportunities and shape strategic recommendations
• Deliver clear updates and recommendations on partnership strategy, performance, risks, and opportunities to GCS senior management

Minimum Qualifications:

• Significant experience in business development, strategic partnerships, strategic alliances, or external partner management, ideally within payments, expense management, fintech, B2B software, or adjacent ecosystems
• Strong strategic judgment, thought leadership, and intellectual curiosity, with the ability to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and develop creative solutions
• Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, create structure in white space, and drive strategic initiatives through to execution
• Strong commercial, financial, and analytical acumen, including the ability to assess business cases, strategic tradeoffs, and partnership performance
• Outstanding relationship management, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility across senior internal stakeholders and external partners
• Highly motivated self-starter with a track record of leading in fast-paced, matrixed environments and delivering results across complex cross-functional organizations
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Contracting, commercial structuring, and negotiation experience with external partners is a strong plus
• Experience in strategic consulting, business development, venture capital, or partnership strategy roles is a plus
• Experience in commercial or B2B payments, expense management, corporate travel, or adjacent platform ecosystems is strongly preferred
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree 

Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions. 

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.

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.