Director - Business Development

Amex Digital Labs’ mission is to build the future of payments and membership, creating new value that evolves with our customers' needs and drives deeper engagement and loyalty. We leverage emerging technologies to deliver innovations that enhance how customers pay, travel, dine, and experience the brand. This leader will serve as a key bridge between the Digital Labs' Product organization and the external technology ecosystem, translating internal capability needs, competitive intelligence, and emerging market trends into strategic opportunities. The role requires strong commercial judgment, relationship-building, market insight, and the ability to drive partnerships from initial engagement through negotiation and execution.

• Build and maintain strategic relationships across technology companies, startups, venture capital firms, and the broader innovation ecosystem.
• Develop and execute a strategic business development and partnership agenda aligned with Digital Labs' agentic and digital product priorities.
• Lead external business development conversations and manage partnerships through the full lifecycle, including sourcing, evaluation, commercial structuring, negotiation, and execution.
• Partner with Product and Technology teams to identify capability needs and source external companies, technologies, data, and insights that can accelerate product development.
• Own competitive intelligence and market insights, monitoring emerging technologies, industry trends, competitors, and evolving business models to inform strategic priorities and identify new opportunities.
• Drive cross-functional coordination across Product, Technology, Legal, Risk, Procurement, and business teams to facilitate partnership execution, onboarding, and ongoing value creation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in business development, consulting, strategic partnerships, technology strategy, corporate development, or related disciplines.
• Proven track record defining strategic priorities, sourcing, negotiating, and executing complex commercial or strategic partnerships that deliver measurable business value.
• Strong commercial and strategic judgment, with demonstrated experience in competitive intelligence, market analysis, and evaluating emerging technologies and business models.
• Strong understanding of AI, emerging technologies, digital platforms, and the external ecosystem supporting innovative customer experiences.
• Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation, executive communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across internal and external organizations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in financial services, payments, fintech, or digital ecosystems, with an established network across technology, startup, and venture capital communities, preferred.
• Experience in venture capital, corporate ventures, or evaluating early-stage companies and investment opportunities is 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.

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.​

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.