Director - Small Business Acquisition Strategy - job 1 of 4

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With the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. When you join Team Amex, you become part of a global and diverse community of colleagues with an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities and each other. Here, you’ll learn and grow as we help you create a career journey that’s unique and meaningful to you with benefits, programs, and flexibility that support you personally and professionally.

At American Express, you’ll be recognized for your contributions, leadership, and impact—every colleague has the opportunity to share in the company’s success. Together, we’ll win as a team, striving to uphold our company values and powerful backing promise to provide the world’s best customer experience every day. And we’ll do it with the utmost integrity, and in an environment where everyone is seen, heard and feels like they belong.

Join Team Amex and let's lead the way together.

How will you make an impact in this role? 

The Acquisition & Customer Marketing (ACM) team within the International Card Services (ICS) Centre of Excellence (CoE) drives market success across a portfolio of 23 international markets. The way we acquire, onboard, and grow engagement with our prospects across ICS is more important than ever to continue to enable the strong trajectory of ICS as the largest growth contributor to American Express.

This role is an exciting new opportunity as part of the International ACM organization to revolutionize the company’s future by attracting and acquiring new card members. ACM creates and collectively delivers the next horizon growth strategy, powered by investments, capabilities and marketing solutions that are customer centric, innovative and scalable.

Job Summary:  

The COE SBS Acquisition Strategy Director will shape the company’s global SBS digital strategy, drive growth in ICS markets, and identify new opportunities. The Director will optimize digital efforts and ensure the future success of international SBS digital teams.

The international business aims to double SBS Revenue by 2028 while delivering consistent annual efficiencies. Accelerating SBS product portfolio acquisition is crucial to ICS growth. This role will advance the Small Business acquisition strategy with key partners and markets.

The successful candidate will design, deploy, and optimize the SBS omnichannel growth plan across International, focusing on Australia, Canada, Japan, UK, Germany, and Mexico. Projects include: 

·       Accelerate SBS Digital Acquisition by defining an optimal channel mix with local markets and analytics to achieve ambitious Revenue goals. Identify opportunities to expand high-impact channels through surgical test & learns for sustainable growth.

·       Optimize Digital Investment to enhance efficiency across the Prospect Digital Journey and Offer Strategy to improve conversion rates. Collaborate with the partner ecosystem to launch market tests for performance refinement.

·       Connect the partner ecosystem by evolving the SBS Acquisition Council and setting common projects and goals. 

The Director will lead a team across Small Business and will be responsible for leading the strategic product acquisition growth agenda alongside critical partners including Card Product, Finance, GABM, Risk among others.   

The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of international markets, strong leadership skills, and the ability to balance long-term strategy with short-term execution. This position requires a high level of analytical thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and an ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define the long-term digital growth strategy through 2028, including key markets, investment requirements, and optimal digital channel mix to meet ICS ambitions
• Define key KPIs and success measures to guide the team and partners against the 2025 plan and beyond.
• Build a holistic Capability Roadmap to support the desired Digital Prospect Journey from Demand Generation to Card Application, fostering growth across international teams, especially in improving customer acquisition across channels in the region.
• Lead the SBS Acquisition community, including running the SBS Acquisition Council and reporting back to senior leadership on SBS Digital progress and initiatives.
• Monitor and analyze regional market trends, digital performance metrics, and competitive data to identify growth opportunities and areas for improvement.
• Lead and mentor a team, providing direction, coaching, and professional development opportunities.

Required Qualifications:

• Strategic problem solver with experience synthesizing complex dynamics, isolating key questions, structuring work, and analyzing solutions to solve business challenges.
• Strong acquisition experience across digital channels and onboarding/application experiences.
• Financial analysis and forecasting experience, including understanding Investment Optimization dynamics.
• Proven experience leading a high-performance team, nurturing career development, and building strong relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams, build followership, and operate in ambiguity and a fast-paced environment. 

Salary Range: $130,000.00 to $205,000.00 annually + bonus + equity (if applicable) + benefits

The above 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.

We back our colleagues and their loved ones with benefits and programs that support their holistic well-being. That means we prioritize their physical, financial, and mental health through each stage of life. Benefits include:

• 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, but not limited to, 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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Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.