Candidate expected to reside within a reasonable commuting distance (typically 25-35 miles) of Buffalo, NY.
The Senior Manager, Client Management serves as the strategic relationship leader for a portfolio of key merchant partners, responsible for deepening client engagement, delivering business value, and driving sustainable growth. Acting as a trusted advisor, the role leverages industry expertise, payments knowledge, and commercial insight to help clients navigate business challenges, uncover opportunities, and realize the full value of partnering with American Express.
Through strong executive relationships, consultative problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership, the Senior Manager translates client needs into impactful solutions, advocates for the voice of the customer, and drives outcomes that enhance client success, strengthen long-term partnerships, and support American Express growth objectives.
Strategic Portfolio Management
- Own a portfolio of strategic merchant relationships and serve as the primary point of accountability for overall partnership health and growth.
- Develop and execute account strategies aligned to client objectives and American Express priorities.
- Maintain a deep understanding of each client's business model, operating environment, growth initiatives, and industry trends.
Executive Relationship Leadership
- Build and strengthen relationships across Finance, Treasury, Procurement, Operations, Marketing, and Executive leadership teams.
- Expand stakeholder networks and increase engagement with key decision-makers and influencers.
- Serve as a trusted advisor by bringing market insights, industry expertise, and strategic recommendations to clients.
Business Growth and Opportunity Development
- Drive portfolio growth through the expansion of B2B payment solutions, American Express Offers, advertising products, Resy participation, and other value-added services.
- Identify, develop, and execute opportunities that increase client engagement, deliver measurable business value, and support American Express growth objectives.
- Lead consultative sales conversations that uncover client needs and align American Express capabilities to strategic business priorities.
- Respond promptly to client and internal growth triggers, leveraging insights to identify opportunities and accelerate commercial outcomes.
- Secure Payment Decisioning (PD) opportunities when appropriate by effectively positioning American Express solutions and demonstrating client value.
- Maintain a robust pipeline of growth opportunities and execute account plans that balance client objectives, relationship development, and commercial results.
Client Advocacy and Strategic Consultation
- Represent the voice of the client internally to influence product development, service enhancements, and business priorities.
- Partner with internal stakeholders to deliver solutions that address client needs and strengthen long-term partnerships.
- Provide consultation regarding payments innovation, process optimization, and industry developments.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Collaborate with Product, Marketing, Pricing, Risk, Legal, Commercial, and Merchant Services teams to support strategic client objectives.
- Lead internal alignment around growth opportunities and key client initiatives.
- Navigate complex organizational environments to drive timely and effective outcomes for clients.
Performance and Portfolio Health
- Monitor portfolio performance and identify opportunities to improve revenue, engagement, retention, and client value.
- Maintain awareness of client risks, competitive threats, and emerging market dynamics.
- Deliver against portfolio objectives while ensuring strong relationship health and long-term partnership value.
Required
- 5-8 years of experience in strategic account management, client management, consultative sales, business development, or related commercial roles.
- Proven ability to build and manage senior-level client relationships.
- Strong consultative selling and relationship management skills with demonstrated success driving business growth.
- Ability to identify client needs and translate them into actionable business opportunities.
- Strong communication, negotiation, presentation, and influencing skills.
- Experience collaborating across matrixed organizations.
- Analytical and financial acumen with the ability to evaluate business opportunities and client performance.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive outcomes in a complex environment.
This position is assigned to a geographic sales territory. To ensure effective client coverage and business continuity, colleagues are expected to reside within a reasonable commuting distance (typically 25-35 miles) of an approved primary or secondary metropolitan area associated with the territory. Residency and territory alignment may be reviewed periodically based on business needs, market coverage requirements, and territory assignments.
The colleague is expected to regularly travel throughout the territory to conduct in-person client meetings, prospecting activities, and relationship management. Residence location must support efficient and consistent coverage of the assigned market
Preferred
- Experience within payments, fintech, merchant acquiring, commercial payments, or B2B commerce.
- Knowledge of accounts receivable, accounts payable, working capital, payment automation, or B2B payment solutions.
- Experience working with enterprise or strategic clients.
- Experience commercializing value-added products and services.
Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.
