American Express

Manager Assistant -Merchant Operations

American Express • $80K — $95K *
Finance & Insurance
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Experience in operations, analytics, or client-facing roles preferred.
  • Strong business acumen connecting operational performance with strategic priorities.
  • Hands-on experience with business and operational reporting, interpreting data for actionable insights.
  • Excellent collaboration skills to work with senior leaders across functions and geographies.
  • Advanced Excel and data-analysis skills; familiarity with reporting tools preferred.
  • Experience designing and managing KPIs and performance-management frameworks preferred.
  • Proactive mindset with the ability to anticipate needs and drive work forward.

Responsibilities

  • Establish and manage the operating rhythm for the VP and Merchant Operations Leadership Team.
  • Partner with the VP to shape and manage the organization's strategic agenda and initiatives.
  • Support development and maintenance of Merchant Operations KPIs and performance-management tools.
  • Own operational and performance reporting, analyzing results and identifying trends.
  • Track strategic initiatives, proactively identifying risks and driving follow-up actions.
  • Support development of senior leadership presentations and executive communications.
  • Collaborate with leadership and cross-functional partners to advance shared priorities.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and influence strategic decisions.
  • Engagement in a dynamic, international work environment across various markets and cultures.
  • Flexibility to participate in meetings outside traditional business hours as needed.
  • Chance to develop and enhance analytical and operational skills in a hands-on role.
Full Job Description
Job Description

How will you make an impact in this role?

The Manager's Assistant (MA) to the VP of Merchant Operations will play a critical role in supporting the VP and Merchant Operations Leadership Team in defining and executing the organization's strategic agenda. This individual will help establish and manage the operating rhythm of the VP's office, ensuring the team remains focused on its priorities, measures progress effectively, and delivers against key commitments.

The MA will serve as a trusted thought partner to the VP and a key collaborator across Merchant Operations leadership, GRRO leadership, and partners across the organization. This is a hands-on role requiring strong analytical and operational capabilities, business judgment, executive communication, and organizational discipline. The successful candidate will be proactive, comfortable moving between strategic and administrative priorities, and able to anticipate needs and drive work forward with limited direction.
Merchant Operations is an international organization. The MA will work across markets and time zones and must have the flexibility to participate in meetings and support key priorities outside of traditional local business hours when needed.

Responsibilities

  • Establish and manage the operating rhythm for the VP and Merchant Operations (MO) Leadership Team, including team agendas, business reviews, planning sessions, decision forums, action tracking, and follow-up


  • Partner with the VP and Leadership Team to shape and manage the organization's strategic agenda, translating priorities into clear initiatives, milestones, measures of success, and deliverables
  • Support development of and maintain Merchant Operations KPIs, scorecards, dashboards, and other performance-management tools that provide visibility into progress and areas requiring leadership attention


  • Own MO operational and performance reporting, including creating and running recurring reports, analyzing results, identifying trends and performance drivers, and translating data into actionable insights


  • Track strategic initiatives and commitments, proactively identifying risks, dependencies, and emerging issues and driving appropriate follow-up and escalation


  • Own key monthly, quarterly, and annual business management processes, including headcount tracking and reporting, organizational and distribution list maintenance, recurring submissions and deliverables, and support for mid-year and year-end colleague processes


  • Support development of senior leadership presentations, business updates, and executive communications that clearly articulate the Merchant Operations strategy, performance, progress, opportunities, and decisions required


  • Serve as a thought partner to the VP, synthesizing information, developing perspectives, pressure-testing ideas, and supporting key decisions and leadership discussions


  • Collaborate closely with Merchant Operations leadership, GRRO leadership, and cross-functional partners to advance shared priorities, resolve issues, manage dependencies, and drive initiatives to completion


  • Support town halls, colleague communications, leadership meetings, and recognition programs, helping connect colleagues to the organization's strategy and celebrate contributions


  • Proactively identify opportunities to simplify processes, strengthen operating routines, improve reporting, and increase the effectiveness of the VP and Leadership Team


  • Build strong relationships across an international organization, collaborating effectively across markets, cultures, and time zones


Qualifications

  • Experience in operations, analytics, MerchantForce, COE, field/client-facing roles, or a similar environment preferred


  • Strong business acumen and the ability to connect operational performance, frontline realities, and strategic priorities


  • Hands-on experience producing and maintaining accurate business and operational reports; ability to interpret data, uncover trends and performance drivers, and translate findings into actionable business insights


  • Strong collaboration and relationship-management skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior leaders and partners across functions and geographies


  • Advanced Excel and data-analysis skills; familiarity with reporting, visualization, or analytics tools preferred


  • Experience designing and managing KPIs, scorecards, dashboards, and other performance-management frameworks preferred


  • Demonstrated proactive mindset, with the ability to anticipate needs, take initiative, solve problems, and drive work forward


  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to create clear, compelling executive-level presentations and narratives


  • Strong organizational and business-management discipline, with the ability to manage recurring administrative and operational processes, multiple stakeholders, and competing deadlines with accuracy and follow-through


  • Ability to serve as a thought partner, bringing an independent perspective, asking thoughtful questions, and connecting strategy with practical execution


  • Ability to operate with independence, judgment, discretion, and comfort with ambiguity in a fast-paced environment


  • Experience working across international teams and time zones, with flexibility to support an international schedule when required


Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.

About American Express

Amex provides industrial services to the coatings and linings sector, providing support for commercial, industrial, and maritime projects such as petrochemical, power, and water treatment industries. They offer painting services for steel structures, storage tank linings and coatings, pipelines, floors, and marine vessels such as ships, tugboats, and barges.

American Express Careers

Join the vibrant team at American Express, a global leader in financial services, and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and diversity. At American Express, we offer more than just job opportunities; we provide a platform for professional growth and a chance to be part of a culture that is committed to excellence and inclusive growth. Work You’ll Do At American Express, we are dedicated to helping our employees reach their full potential. With a variety of career paths available in areas such as technology, marketing, finance, and customer service, American Express is the perfect place to advance your career. Our team is composed of highly skilled professionals who thrive on innovation and collaboration. Join our team and contribute to a company known for its prestigious history of leadership in the credit card industry. Engage in meaningful work that makes a real impact on our global scale business operations. American Express Leadership and Development Programs We believe in nurturing the leadership skills of our employees with extensive training programs and leadership development opportunities. Our commitment to professional growth is evident in our comprehensive benefits package that supports both personal and professional development. Internship Opportunities Start your career with an internship at American Express and gain valuable industry experience. Our internships offer a chance to develop skills, work on challenging projects, and learn from leaders in the industry. Interns at American Express are considered integral members of the team and are given responsibilities that provide a real insight into their future career paths. Diversity and Inclusion At American Express, diversity and inclusion are at the core of our company culture. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and inclusive environment where every employee feels valued and inspired. We offer diversity training programs that empower our employees to thrive and lead in a global marketplace. Networking and Innovation Our employees enjoy unparalleled opportunities for networking and personal growth through our global connections and innovative projects. American Express encourages a culture of innovation that helps propel our company and your career forward. Career Benefits and Growth American Express is dedicated to the growth of its employees. We offer competitive benefits, including health, retirement plans, and family leave, ensuring that our team members have the support they need to succeed both at work and in their personal lives. Join Our Team Explore the job opportunities and open positions at American Express. We are continuously hiring talented individuals who are passionate about their careers and interested in working for a company that offers a dynamic and supportive environment. Stay Connected Keep up to date with the latest from American Express Careers by following our career blog and signing up for job alert emails. Tailor your subscription to receive updates that match your skills and interests. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at American Express. SEARCH AMERICAN EXPRESS JOBS Whether you are looking for a full-time position, an internship, or a leadership opportunity, American Express offers a path to a rewarding career. Join us and make a difference with your passion, creativity, and drive.
Learn more about American Express
Size
64,000 employees
Market Cap
$108.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.1 billion
Founded
1850
5 Year Trend
+3.5%
Revenue
$37 billion
NASDAQ

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