Director - Business Development

American Express•New York, NY

8d•$123,000 - $215,250

About The Position

Amex Digital Labs builds the future of payments and membership by creating value that evolves with customers’ needs and deepens engagement and loyalty. It uses emerging technologies to improve how customers pay, travel, dine, and experience the brand. The Director - Business Development serves as a bridge between Digital Labs’ Product organization and the external technology ecosystem. The role translates internal capability needs, competitive intelligence, and emerging market trends into strategic opportunities, and drives partnerships from initial engagement through negotiation and execution. It calls for commercial judgment, relationship-building, and market insight. The position develops strategic relationships and partnership opportunities aligned with Digital Labs’ agentic and digital product priorities. It works closely with Product, Technology, Legal, Risk, Procurement, and business teams to source external capabilities and deliver partnership execution and value creation.

Requirements

At least 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.
Eligibility to work in the United States; American Express will not pursue visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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 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 to 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 opportunities.
Coordinate across Product, Technology, Legal, Risk, Procurement, and business teams to facilitate partnership execution, onboarding, and ongoing value creation.

Benefits

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 of paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, for pregnancy, adoption, or surrogacy
Free access to global onsite wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors, depending on location
Free and confidential counseling support through the Healthy Minds program
Career development and training opportunities