Sr Manager - Strategic Planning & Operations

American Express Global Commercial Services (GCS) is the leading payments issuer and partner for businesses of all sizes. The Global Commercial Services Marketing team (GCSM) is responsible for making business membership essential—delivering world-class marketing that drives demand and deepens customer engagement across the customer lifecycle.

To support GCSM’s continued evolution, we are establishing a Strategic Planning & Operations function to enable more strategic, focused, and impactful marketing across the enterprise. This team will help shape GCSM’s strategic agenda, drive disciplined prioritization, and enable senior leaders to make informed decisions about where and how Marketing invests.

How will you make an impact in this role?

As Senior Manager, Strategic Planning & Operations, you will play a critical role in shaping GCSM’s strategic priorities and translating enterprise and business objectives into a focused marketing agenda. You will work across the organization to evaluate opportunities, identify trade-offs, and develop recommendations that help senior leaders determine where GCSM should focus to drive the greatest customer and business impact.

Working closely with senior leaders across Marketing, Product, Technology, and ECMX, you will lead strategic analyses, develop recommendations, and facilitate decisions on high-priority initiatives. You will bring together customer, business, and organizational perspectives to assess opportunities, clarify choices, and ensure GCSM’s priorities are aligned to broader enterprise objectives.

This role requires strong strategic thinking, analytical rigor, executive communication, and the ability to influence across a complex, matrixed organization. The successful candidate will be comfortable navigating ambiguity, structuring complex problems, and translating insights into clear strategic choices and actionable recommendations.

• Lead marketing strategy and planning efforts, translating enterprise and business objectives into clear priorities that drive customer and business impact
• Evaluate strategic opportunities, develop recommendations, and help senior leaders navigate trade-offs and prioritize marketing investments
• Develop frameworks and analyses to assess opportunities based on customer value, business impact, strategic alignment, and risk
• Partner across Marketing, Product, Technology, ECMX, and other functions to connect priorities and drive enterprise alignment
• Support strategic enablers and innovations, including AI, emerging technologies, and new ways of working to enhance marketing effectiveness and operational efficiency
• Drive strategic planning processes and leadership forums to enable timely, informed decision-making
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable roadmaps, identifying key dependencies, risks, and opportunities
• Develop executive-ready presentations and recommendations that inform senior leadership decisions
• Serve as a trusted strategic thought partner, bringing an enterprise-wide perspective to complex business challenges

Minimum Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategy, strategic planning, management consulting, marketing strategy, business operations, or related functions
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to structure complex problems and translate insights into actionable recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders across complex, matrixed organizations, with the ability to build credibility across functions and levels
• Excellent executive communication and storytelling skills, with experience developing recommendations and presentations for senior leadership
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, manage multiple priorities, and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Experience coaching, mentoring, or leading team members
• Self-starter with strong ownership, intellectual curiosity, and a proactive approach to problem-solving

Preferred Qualifications

• 6–8 years of relevant experience in corporate strategy, management consulting, marketing strategy, business strategy, product strategy, or a related strategic function
• Experience with enterprise strategic planning, portfolio prioritization, or investment decision-making
• Familiarity with marketing ecosystems, customer lifecycle strategy, MarTech platforms, or go-to-market models 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. 

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.