You Lead the Way. We’ve Got Your Back.

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.

Team Overview

The Global Network Services (GNS) team is the bank partnership arm within the Global Merchant and Network Services (GMNS) organization.

The team is set up to accelerate the growth of the Amex License issuing and acquiring business through developing and growing strategic bank partnerships in the region. The partnerships span across Independent Operator markets (where the entire market is franchised to the partner including Consumer, Corporate and Acquiring businesses) and proprietary markets (where the partner has a Network Card License to issue cards to expand American Express brand).

How will you make an impact in this role?

Key Responsibilities

Business Development – Develop and grow the Independent Operator partnership license businesses in Asia & South Pacific Growth Markets. Relationship Management – Develop strategic relationships with key decision-makers within the issuing and acquiring partners, build strong multi-level relationships across the partners’ organization and ensure alignment within GNS strategy and financial model. Partnership Value – Develop and increase network value to our issuing and acquiring partners through value sell and deepen Amex’s market share within partner’s business

Key Deliverables 

Provide strategic thought expertise to generate new business volume and marginal contribution in delivering key performance indicators, namely, New Cards Acquisition, Billings, Revenue, Expenses targets, Merchant acceptance, Perception of Coverage and network vibrancy in Asia & South Pacific Growth Markets. Drive Merchant Acquiring activities and expand payment form factors and acceptance channels: Be the on-ground support and follow-up on key projects and initiatives that helps to close acceptance coverage gaps, both online and offline. Execute in market coverage plans to drive >75% parity across key markets, point-of-sale strategy and mystery shopping to detect suppression / surcharge issues, coverage gaps etc. Work towards parity acceptance in key strategic industries across markets. Drive Consumer & Commercial Card Issuing: Competitive Analysis - assess competitive trends across markets both in the issuing space Product Line Strategy - Establish clear product line strategy with bank partner to drive consumer take up and engagement across various segments with partners Business Opportunities – Identify and follow up on opportunities that will drive significant market growth, deepen the relationship with partners and optimise overall profitability of the relationship. Lead all discussions internally with other Line of Business (LOBs) and functional teams including marketing, legal, operations, finance, compliance teams etc. to ensure alignment and consistent delivery of services to the partners to support business needs and growth. Negotiate and effectively manage investments and funds to drive partnership growth, taking ownership of overall market profitability. Understand the partner’s business strategies; craft and execute tactical plans to improve partner profitability, delivering on all key segments and objectives agreed within the context of the overall relationship and business agreements. Work with partners to continuously premiumise the existing portfolio and identify margin improvement opportunities. Go-to-person for competitive market intelligence and market practices Support allocated regional initiatives on an ongoing or ad hoc basis

Minimum Qualifications 

At least 8-10 years of experience of card issuing and acquiring in large business development roles in large Malaysia Banks or payment schemes/ networks. Possess deep understanding of working of card schemes & of payment industry economics. Within the overall experience, a minimum of 3 years’ experience in external negotiations and relationship building with mid- senior levels in partner negotiations. Deep understanding of financial levers and ability to independently lead discussions internally and externally on sophisticated financial deals. Experience in driving on ground card sales and/or merchant acquisition Experience in working with internal stakeholders across departments including finance, marketing, technology. Proficiency in Bahasa is a mandatory requirement

Preferred Qualifications

Motivated and driven self-starter with ability to get things done with strong business acumen. Ability to act as a strategic thought leader and influence key stakeholders from the financial services partners to acquiring partners. External orientation with the ability to perceive, assess and deliver customer needs. Outstanding matrix management skills, with the ability to engage and lead cross-functional teams across the organisation without direct reporting lines. Ability to convert strategy into clear, actionable initiatives with track record in driving results. Ability to multi-task and prioritise across diverse requirements and deliver to partner-driven timeframes. Strong understanding of the drivers of profitability for issuing and acquiring. Ability to inspire, influence and lead others without direct authority. Ability to create opportunities and work in ambiguous and challenging environment. Proficiency in Bahasa is a mandatory requirement and Mandarin is a plus. Experience in commercial card issuing and B2B is a plus. Hybrid role with occasional travel.

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  Support for financial-well-being and retirement  Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location)  Flexible working model with hybrid or onsite 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.