Director, Corporate Affairs & Communications

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.

Role: Director, Corporate Affairs & Communications

Reporting to Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Communications, Travel & Leisure Services and Strategic Partnerships

We are hiring for a communications professional to join the American Express Corporate Affairs and Communications team to work across our Consumer Travel business. We are looking for a colleague who will be a dynamic, creative, and detail-oriented communications expert with stellar executive management, and excellent writing skills.

This role will support American Express Travel, one the largest consumer travel booking platforms in the world. Reporting to a Vice President in Corporate Affairs & Communications, this person will provide counsel to key executives and business partners, create and execute proactive media and influencer marketing strategies, and manage issues to protect and enhance the American Express and American Express Travel brands. The Director will work closely with press on behalf of the business and should have strong media relations skills with an understanding of how to sell a story. The Director will collaborate with a variety of American Express colleagues from senior leaders to strategic partners, as well as marketing, product, sales, and internal communications teams. The Director will create and execute thought leadership and executive visibility programs.

As a skilled writer, the director should know how to communicate clearly and effectively, without the use of jargon or hyperbole, to capture the curiosity of the reader.

The ideal candidate will be a creative thinker with experience in consumer communications including media relations, influencer marketing, social media campaigns, executive visibility, colleague communications and industry events.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop and implement overarching communications strategies, approaches, and content to further business objectives; including clear, concise, and compelling writing tailored to relevant audiences and channels. Communications initiatives will support the business goals of American Express Travel, including driving awareness of the value of Membership and travel industry leadership.
• Provide communications counsel to executives and support their external communications needs; provide crisis communications support when needed.
• Lead media relations, social influencer campaigns and executive visibility efforts inclusive of all writing: key messages, talking points, Q&A, press releases and social posts.
• Identify unique and newsworthy opportunities to promote American Express Travel; develop strong relationships with press and the travel industry.
• Maintain awareness of industry-level and competitor news, keeping teams informed and providing relevant insights, and collaborating with industry partners.
• Manage select senior executives’ LinkedIn presence, including advising on the right content for the channel and writing copy to amplify announcements and company news.
• Support involvement with key industry engagement groups and conferences, ensuring American Express has a public voice on industry trends and topics.
• Help oversee and manage U.S.-based PR agency.
• Collaborate across CA&C to support enterprise-wide communications initiatives.
• Represent American Express as a spokesperson responding to media inquiries.
• Measure and report on results of communications efforts, including key learnings and areas of opportunity.

Qualifications:

• 8-10 years of public relations experience preferred; a mix of in-house and PR agency experience a plus.
• Experience with developing and executing successful communications strategies.
• Experience counseling top executives and driving their communications needs, with proven ability to influence, drive news and manage issues, as needed.
• Strong strategic and creative thinker and problem solver, with proven experience leading winning communications strategies and plans.
• Superior written, verbal and media relations skills, with proven media relations results.
• Creativity in developing and managing stories with national, local and trade press.
• Proven experience in managing PR agencies and/or teams across multiple budgets.
• Needs to be a self-starter, strong collaborator, good project manager, and able to work independently, while operating as an adaptable team player and adhering to policies and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and a willingness to take charge and drive results; organized with the ability to oversee multiple projects at any given time; strong attention to detail.
• Ability to deal with confidential information without exception.

Salary Range: $123,000.00 to $215,250.00 annually + bonus + equity (if applicable) + benefits

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.

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
• 6% Company Match on retirement savings plan
• Free financial coaching and financial well-being support
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
• 20+ weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy
• 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

For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site.

American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. American Express will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For positions covered by federal and/or state banking regulations, American Express will comply with such regulations as it relates to the consideration of applicants with criminal convictions.

We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That's why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually.

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