About The Role

This is a band 45 position based in Tokyo, Japan, in the Global Commercial Services business

American Express is a leading issuer of commercial cards and expense management solutions, serving more than 60% of the Fortune 500 companies.
Through its Global Commercial Services group, American Express provides T&E, B2B and other expense management services to these global corporations, as well as tens of thousands of mid-sized corporations worldwide in over 200 countries.
Our Global and Multinational account development team is a group of highly skilled client management professionals responsible for managing the relationships with hundreds of our most prestigious global commercial services clients.
We are looking for an exceptional leader to join our team in Japan.
The Vice President for Client Management & Global Business Development will be responsible for leading a sales and client management team focused on our large and most strategic customers in the multinational segment within the Global Commercial Services (GCS) Global and Large (G&L) division.
Our Global Business Development colleagues are focused on bringing new global and multinational corporations into our franchise engaging in strategic sales and relationship management to provide payment and expense management solutions.

The Role

This VP position is responsible for leading Japan Client Management & Business Development teams, providing strategic thought leadership, fronting key negotiations, managing internal & external senior relationships and driving profitable business growth with our largest global customers based in Japan.
In addition, the leader has accountability executing the international strategy of customers headquartered elsewhere across the world.
The successful candidate will lead a high performing, specialized and highly motivated team of client managers and sales specialist based in Japan.
This VP role will drive profitable growth and provide strategic thought leadership to the team who are charged with retaining, expanding and developing our business with our largest and most strategic global customers.
The successful candidate will be a consummate relationship leader, establishing and managing senior and Board level relationships across this global portfolio. Equally, the VP will operate across GCS in an open and collaborative manner, interfacing with ICS market heads, GCG colleagues in all other regions and all other GCS business functions including Servicing, Product Management, Field Enablement, Communication, Implementation, Legal, Risk, Global Business Development etc.
Drive a highly engaged and skilled account management team by providing strong inclusive people leadership and strategic thought leadership.
Build and execute a clear business plan which retains, expands and grows the portfolio.
Drive segment growth across the region, closing remaining T&E gaps and accelerating B2B business expansion through deep relationship management, strong pipeline management and partnership with other teams.
Demonstrate a strong growth mindset and agile innovative thinking to drive differentiated value to customers and revenue generation via customized strategies.
Take ownership and front global customer negotiations to ensure profitable client retentions and provide regional support in close alignment with global stakeholders.
Improve customer satisfaction via enhanced offering and added value services provided by outsourced program management resources and others.
Build and establish personal relationships with customers at senior levels.
Strong people leadership skills with an ability to create exceptional engagement and followership in a global and regional environment.
Strategic thought leadership: the ability to design and execute a clear business plan across a complex, global environment, and translate that into actions and tactics that drive sustainable growth and retention.
A clear track record of results-driven commercial leadership, ideally in a multi-market and/or cross-border team environment. The ability to analyse and interpret business results and manage performance.
A strong business development and/or consultative sales background, growing and expanding the portfolio through collaboration, influence and negotiation.
Proven senior level negotiation, presentation and influencing skills to internal and external audiences to Board Level in large global organizations. Excellent relationship management skills and a strong track record managing complex, multi-national or key account portfolios.
The ability to solve issues, take business decisions. Creative problem solver / proactive thinker. Consummate communicator.
The ability to develop and cement strong internal partnerships across all areas of GCS and beyond.
A strong understanding of Procurement and Procure-to-Pay processes, and a solid understanding of the Commercial Payments industry and product suite would be a benefit.
Language skills: Japanese and fluency in written and oral English