Director – Payment Consulting France H/F

Payments Consulting Group delivers industry-leading technical consultancy on payments to internal American Express business stakeholders and to external partners such as Merchants and Payment Service Providers. We shape payment offerings, strategies and drive innovation and projects to protect business volume and unlock sustainable growth at parity.

The Director, Payments Consulting France will be responsible for leading and coaching a team of Payments Consultants (PC) to provide payments processing consultation to a variety of internal/external customers and drive payments products and network capabilities delivery into merchants and external vendors and bank and processing partners. 

The successful candidate for this role will also take a personal leading role in strategic projects.

The Director, Payments Consulting plays a vital role in driving the success of the Global Merchant & Network Services (GMNS) in the region by being the voice of our external partners; merchants, processors and vendors. This high-impact, high-visibility role will work directly with our external partners and senior leadership across GMNS and the company to identify and deliver value through payment solutions that drive premium economics and a better customer experience.

The Director is also responsible for the strategy development and program managing the delivery of new payment platforms and products across the region, through close partnership with local and global teams.

This role demands a dynamic, experienced and persuasive leader effective at leading, coaching and developing team. A track record of complex problem solving, developing and leveraging strong business relationships and flawless project management and execution coupled with a consultative approach to sales and senior leadership will be essential for success.

American Express depends on the Global Payments Consulting team to enable Card acceptance, identify and implement payment solutions (products and services) in customer-facing situations. Relationship building, communication, and problem-solving skills are important for success in such role. Team members must also maintain deep and current knowledge about their customers and their industries, the payments industry, global market trends, new and existing payment-related technologies, products and services, and the structure of American Express and customer organizations.

Building lasting relationships is at the heart of our business–and that’s exactly what members of our sales team do best. Use your entrepreneurial mindset and consultative approach to create rewarding opportunities for both our customers and yourself, while being backed by an iconic brand. Whether you’re helping our customers get the most value from our range of innovative products and services, or collaborating internally across teams to deliver new solutions, your work can help us become an essential part of our customers’ lives. Find your place in sales on #TeamAmex. 

How will you make an impact in this role?

• Manage a team of payments consultants, support them in the progress of projects and ensure their personal development
• In conjunction with the market GMNS leader develop and implement a payments strategy for each market which encompasses:
• Migrating markets and key customers to global, point of arrival, payments infrastructure that is more available, secure and supports emerging payment products
• The deployment of new payment capabilities such as Contactless, QR and Digital Wallets Payments
• The economic management of card acceptance infrastructure which includes the relationship with processing partners, Payment Facilitators and merchants
• The management of Payment Service Providers that provide card present and online card acceptance capabilities or Technical Merchant
• Influence prioritization for unplanned non-GMNS led strategic projects that benefit the enterprise.
• Deliver senior management reporting; dashboards, analytics to inform business decisions and demonstrate payments product parity coverage.
• Coach and lead team in providing consultative support to merchants and CLM channels within their region
• Provision of high-quality product and process consultancy to merchants
• Provision of Set-up, Transmission, Authorization, Submission, Settlement, Reconciliation and Disputes consultancy
• Provide product and process training to Client Management (CLM) and Merchant Acquisition partners
• Communication and tracking of projects
• Use knowledge of the merchant and marketplace to develop win-win account plans
• Industry knowledge and business development
• Maintain and develop deep knowledge of the payments industry, anticipate, and communicate trends to assist in strategic decision making. Actively participate in driving GMNS and Blue Box strategy across the region
• Use competitive information to position the unique value, features and benefits of American Express products and services. Attend product training sessions throughout the year to deepen knowledge and understanding of network assets and capabilities
• Conduct independent research and gather marketplace and industry data from: Trade journals & web sites, Financial Reports (understand revenue/cost drivers), Payments Industry Publications
• Conduct merchant needs assessment and external landscape intelligence gathering to inform and influence future use cases for solutions and/ or market expansion plans
• Act as the “Voice of the Merchant/Marketplace/Customer”
• Build and maintain relationships across the Blue Box as a trusted advocate to internal partners
• Act as the primary distribution channel for GMNS payment products and services
• Partnering across GMNS and the wider company to make it easier for external partners to do business with us and implement innovative merchants recruitment strategies

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

Minimum Qualifications

• Business acumen: understanding of business concepts and how businesses operate, both internally and in relation to the marketplace.
• Business acumen: understanding of business concepts and how businesses operate, both internally and in relation to the marketplace.
• Knowledge of business practices and trends in the payment processing industry.
• Understanding of the business model, including the issuer, network, and acquirer components as well as governing compliance and legal principles applying to payments industry.
• Flexibility to work across time zones with groups in the US, APAC, EMEA and LACC
• Knowledge of procedures related to negotiation, award, and processing of contracts with third parties.
• Proven ability to develop winning strategies, set goals and manage work priorities with agility.
• Consulting approach making it possible to find innovative and value-generating solutions
• Strong relationship leadership skills, the ability to establish, develop and leverage relationships across the industry
• Robust project / program management skills and the ability and track record of driving results on multiple initiatives concurrently
• Outstanding people leadership/management skills: Ability to lead and motivate with or without direct authority
• Strong consultative sales, power of persuasion and negotiation skills
• The ability to articulate complex issues in a simple non-technical/business manner
• Demonstrated ability to develop execution plans and deliver outcomes in support of business strategy
• Oral and written communication, Experience and skilled at presenting to large audiences and senior leaders
• Fluent in French and proficient in English as the job involves daily exchanges with the international teams and partners

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of products/services offered across American Express, including those outside of own area of responsibility.
• Knowledge of competitors’ products/services that are closely related to own area of responsibility.
• Knowledge of French banking and/or Merchant acquisition landscape.
• Understanding of how network or merchant policy impacts issuers, acquirers, and the network.
• Influence/drive change management – ability to drive decisions across organization and levels
• Proven managerial experience and excellent knowledge of merchants payment processes and systems.
• Demonstrated interest in evolving payment capabilities, as well as an ability to deal with technical complexities and unknowns related to these evolving payments and translate how these complexities will impact merchants accepting American Express Payments products

Why American Express?

There’s a difference between having a job and making a difference.

Amex have been making a difference in people’s lives for over 160 years, backing them in moments big and small, granting access, tools, and resources to take on their biggest challenges and reap the greatest rewards.

We’ve also made a difference in the lives of our people, providing a culture of learning and collaboration, and helping them with what they need to succeed and thrive. We have their backs as they grow their skills, conquer new challenges, or even take time to spend with their family or community. And when they’re ready to take on a new career path, we’re right there with them, giving them the guidance and momentum into the best future they envision.

With more than 20 languages spoken and a dozen different nationalities in its workforce, the brand has a genuine Diversity culture with a dedicated department. One of the aims of the American Express Diversity Mission is to facilitate the professional integration of people with disabilities, and it is available to candidates to discuss any support they may need.

Because we believe that the best way to back our customers is to back our people.

The powerful backing of American Express.

Don’t make a difference without it.

Don’t live life without it.

To complete your application please click on the links below. However, if you require any assistance with the completion of this process – or need any reasonable adjustments to be made – then please contact the Recruitment Team on recruitment.support.emea@aexp.com.

Please note that you can attach up to 4 documents of up to 488 kb each.

Read Full Description