Manager Strategic Planning

American Express; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global financial services company is seeking a Strategic Initiatives Analyst to drive meaningful change within the organization. The ideal candidate will be responsible for conducting research, performing deep analysis, and offering strategic recommendations. This role requires a strong analytical mindset, superior communication skills, and the ability to manage complex projects while collaborating with various stakeholders. The position provides a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits supporting employee well-being.

Benefits

Competitive base salary

Bonus incentives

Flexible working arrangements

Comprehensive medical benefits

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Ability to synthesize complex dynamics into actionable solutions.
• Highly curious and analytical, leveraging data for insights.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and collaborate across teams.
• Strong work ethic and independent self-starter.

Responsibilities

• Perform analysis and research to address GMNS strategic priorities.
• Identify impactful questions and execute interviews with stakeholders.
• Create high-quality recommendations based on data synthesis.
• Manage projects with multiple workstreams and tight deadlines.

Skills

Analytical skills

Strategic thinking

Communication

Data analysis

Project management

Relationship building

Tools

SQL

Python

R

Job description

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. 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.

The International Strategic Initiatives (SI) team sits within Global Strategy, Operations and Performance ("GSOP") in Global Merchant & Network Services and is responsible for driving thought leadership for growth opportunities.

This exciting role provides a fantastic opportunity to drive meaningful change in the Global Merchant & Network Services (GMNS) organisation and will give successful applicants a deep insight into the operational, financial and processes of the American Express acquiring business.

The team works across business units, engages with a wide variety of stakeholder groups, conduct research and analysis to answer key business questions and deliver sound recommendations across a range of projects impacting the merchant organization. In addition, the team provides end to end leadership of initiatives supporting key organisational objectives and leads certain long‑term analytical projects from inception to delivery.

How will you make an impact in this role?

• Performing analysis and research to tackle the highest GMNS strategic priorities.
• Identifying impactful business questions and executing interviews with business stakeholders both within GMNS and the Blue Box.
• Accessing subject matter experts and performing external research to inform different organizational and strategy recommendations.
• Synthesizing learnings through information/data-analysis, including business case creation.
• Creating high-quality recommendations for project sponsors.
• Managing projects with multiple workstreams and accelerated timelines.
• Collaborating with talented teammates to deliver significant and sustainable results.
• Presenting to senior leaders on analyses and recommendations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strategic thinker who can synthesize complex dynamics, isolate key questions, structure and organize work to analyze and propose solutions to solve key business challenges.
• Highly curious & analytical individual who leverages data to surface insights and inform and develop business strategy.
• Aptitude for building forward looking strategy with the ability to operate fluently across data quality, management, analytics and governance.
• Superior analytical skills – ability to analyze/understand large data sets, synthesize and draw out relevant insights. Knowledge of an analytical language (SQL, BigQuery, Python, R) is a plus.
• Impactful and efficient communicator with ability to simplify complex messages into clear and actionable recommendations and confidently deliver to executive level audiences.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships, influence senior leaders and stakeholders, collaborate across a cross‑functional team, and build followership.
• Strong work ethic with comfort working in a dynamic, collaborative, fast‑paced, global team.
• Ability to self‑start, carve opportunities out of ambiguity, and operate with a high degree of independence.
• Strong sense of responsibility and accountability.

Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the UK 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
• Support for financial‑well‑being and retirement
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location)
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
• Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location)
• 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

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.