Director - Events & Partnerships

American Express•New York, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

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 this 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. Position Summary: The American Express Corporate Affairs & Communications (CA&C) team is a strategic function that works to enhance and protect the continued strength of the American Express brand through public relations, social media and content, colleague communications and Corporate Sustainability (CS). Corporate Sustainability is hiring a Director of Events and Partnerships reporting to the Vice President of Philanthropy on the Community Impact team. This role is responsible for overseeing and enhancing key Community Impact events and activations, including the American Express Academies portfolio and additional projects that support enterprise and strategic partnership priorities. The Director will oversee multi-stakeholder events and nonprofit partnerships across key American Express markets. The role will work closely with the Vice President of Philanthropy and directly oversee the Events and Partnerships Manager and a portfolio budget for events and activations. The ideal candidate is a creative, solutions-oriented, and highly organized leader with strong attention to detail and demonstrated experience in events management or production. They will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced, complex, matrixed environment and will bring a strategic mindset, strong relationship-building capabilities, and a track record of delivering high-quality, compliant, and innovative programs.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in events management, strategy, logistics, production, and/or partnerships, preferably within a corporate philanthropy setting.
Demonstrated experience overseeing complex, high-profile events and partnership portfolios. Experience managing global or multi-market initiatives is desirable.
Experience leading and developing teams.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, including proven ability to engage and influence internal and external stakeholders.
Strong established external network related to high-profile events, partnerships, and philanthropic organizations.
Ability to operate effectively and collaboratively in dynamic, ambiguous, and complex environments while maintaining strong attention to detail and a risk mindset.
Experience setting and managing event budgets.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of risk management, compliance, governance, data reporting, and grantmaking requirements.
Experience in philanthropic program development and grantmaking.
Experience supporting Board-level reporting and governance processes.
Financial services experience.

Responsibilities

Develop and oversee the strategy and budget for all community impact Academies, activations, events, and projects.
Serve as the lead and subject matter expert for community impact activations, events, and projects, including Academies, ensuring alignment and amplification to all relevant stakeholders.
Oversee relationship management across external partners including nonprofit and other strategic partners, venues, and agencies with the support of the Events and Partnerships Manager.
Oversee relevant risk, compliance, and impact data collection related to the portfolio, including risk vetting, legal approvals, communications review, and impact measurement.
Stay informed on industry trends, insights, emerging practices, and innovative approaches to community impact activations, events, and projects.
Introduce new ideas, potential partners, communications approaches, and engagement strategies aligned to business priorities.
Advise the broader Community Impact and Corporate Sustainability teams, as well as cross-enterprise partners, identifying new areas for collaboration and innovation.
Partner with the Vice President of Philanthropy to develop compliant grantmaking strategies, including enhancements to existing grants and identification of new funding opportunities linked to the events and activations portfolio.
Supervise the Events and Partnerships Manager to ensure timely and compliant end-to-end grant administration for the portfolio.
Engage with senior leaders within the Corporate Sustainability and Corporate Affairs and Communications organization to develop communications strategies for Academies, activations, events, and projects.
Partner with communications colleagues on execution of communications plans, ensuring initiatives are shared meaningfully, accurately, and innovatively, both internally and externally.
Ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities, timelines, and deliverables across stakeholders.
In partnership with CS Operations and other relevant business units, support the development of Foundation and Corporate philanthropy reports and Board of Trustees materials, ensuring accuracy and adherence to legal, regulatory, and governance requirements.

Benefits

Competitive base salaries
Bonus incentives
6%25 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