Senior Manager-Strategic Planning

Global Commercial Services (GCS) serves millions of business customers around the world, from mom-and-pop shops to Fortune 500 companies. We back businesses so they can do more business, with a mission to be the undisputed leader in financial and membership services – responsibly driving double-digit revenue growth. We do that by offering a diverse range of payment and cashflow tools, from a wide range of traditional card products, to working capital and supply chain financing, to new digital solutions that make it easy for our customers to manage a full range of their financial and payment needs. As Senior Manager – Strategy and Governance, you will play a critical role in driving executive and stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, and program governance for Oculus, one of American Express' highest-priority enterprise transformation programs. You will be responsible for activating and managing the program's stakeholder engagement model, developing key messaging and executive communications, and driving alignment across cross-functional stakeholders, senior leaders, and regulators. This highly visible role requires an exceptional communicator, strategic thinker, and strong cross-functional connector who can quickly synthesize complex information, translate discussions into compelling executive narratives, and drive clarity across a dynamic program. You will partner closely with senior leaders and teams across the organization to facilitate decision-making, strengthen governance, and ensure stakeholders remain informed and aligned on strategic priorities, progress, risks, and outcomes.

• Lead executive and stakeholder engagement and communications for the Oculus program, driving the activation and ongoing execution of the stakeholder engagement model across cross-functional teams, senior leadership, and regulatory audiences.
• Own executive communications and strategic storytelling, developing high-quality presentations, leadership updates, key messaging, and decision materials that clearly articulate program strategy, progress, risks, and priorities.
• Translate complex discussions and inputs from multiple stakeholders into clear, concise, and compelling executive-level narratives, independently structuring storylines and developing polished presentation materials.
• Partner directly with senior leaders to understand strategic priorities, anticipate communication needs, and prepare materials that support executive discussions, stakeholder engagement, and critical decision-making.
• Lead program governance and executive reporting, coordinating leadership forums, governance routines, executive reviews, and processes that drive transparency, accountability, and timely decisions.
• Drive cross-functional stakeholder alignment across Product, Technology, Marketing, Sales, Compliance, Finance, GCO, Operations, and other teams, connecting stakeholders, surfacing dependencies, and ensuring consistent messaging and a cohesive view of program priorities.
• Develop and coordinate key messaging and communications for internal stakeholders, executive leadership, and regulatory engagements, ensuring information is accurate, consistent, appropriately tailored, and aligned with program objectives.
• Synthesize program updates, risks, dependencies, and emerging issues across workstreams to identify key themes, elevate decisions, and provide leadership with actionable insights.
• Facilitate meetings and working sessions with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders, asking thoughtful questions, driving clarity, and translating discussions into clear actions and deliverables.
• Serve as a trusted partner to program leadership, proactively identifying communication and governance needs, strengthening stakeholder relationships, and driving execution in a fast-paced, highly matrixed environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to independently develop executive-ready PowerPoint presentations, compelling storylines, and clear, concise messaging for senior leadership audiences.
• Strong strategic thinking and synthesis skills, with the ability to quickly absorb complex information, ask insightful questions, connect disparate inputs, and translate discussions into structured narratives, recommendations, and actionable materials.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with senior executives, with the confidence, judgment, and executive presence to participate effectively in leadership discussions and communicate complex topics clearly.
• Strong program governance, strategic planning, and stakeholder management capabilities, including experience supporting complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Proven ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and drive alignment across teams without direct authority.
• Highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality work under tight timelines.
• Bachelor's degree required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting large-scale enterprise transformation programs or strategic initiatives within a complex organization.
• Experience in a strategy, business management, chief of staff, or PMO role with significant exposure to executive communications, stakeholder engagement, and governance.
• Advanced PowerPoint and executive storytelling capabilities, including the ability to independently build presentations from unstructured inputs and develop clear, visually compelling materials.
• Experience developing stakeholder engagement strategies, executive messaging, and communications for diverse audiences, including senior leadership and regulatory stakeholders.
• Experience establishing and managing executive governance forums, leadership operating rhythms, and cross-functional decision-making processes.
• Strong business acumen, sound judgment, and the ability to anticipate leadership needs, proactively identify gaps, and connect strategic priorities to execution.

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.