Manager - Business Development (Virtual - WI/MN/IL)

Responsibilities

• Own the Market
• Lead the full acquisition process within your territory, targeting high-value Middle Market clients through strategic, consultative selling.
• Build and sustain executive-level relationships with CEOs, CFOs, and financial leaders — positioning American Express as their partner of choice for growth and efficiency.
• Leverage your market intelligence, network, and industry insight to identify, develop, and convert new business opportunities.
• Maintain a strong in-market presence with 25–50% travel, ensuring personal engagement with the clients who matter most.
• Lead with Strategy
• Manage a high-value pipeline with discipline and foresight, accurate forecasting, strong conversion, and consistent quota achievement.
• Use data, analytics, and financial insight to prioritize opportunities, optimize resource allocation, and strengthen long-term growth potential.
• Collaborate with Risk, Underwriting, Pricing, and Product to deliver tailored, profitable solutions that create client and shareholder value.
• Advise and Solve
• Conduct deep discovery conversations that uncover client pain points and opportunities.
• Architect solutions across the American Express suite — from working capital optimization to expense management — that drive measurable business results.
• Function as a thought leader, bringing forward insights into market shifts, payment innovation, and financial transformation.
• Negotiate and Win
• Lead complex deal negotiations with precision and confidence, guiding executive stakeholders through strategic and financial considerations.
• Close deals with excellence and transition accounts to the Field Account Development team to nurture and grow long-term partnerships.
• Champion AMEX’s brand of professionalism, integrity, and trusted expertise in every client engagement.
• Operate with Integrity (100% of Time)
• Hold yourself accountable for upholding the American Express Code of Conduct and all Sales Practice standards.
• Model ethical decision-making and champion compliance in every phase of the sales process.

Qualifications

• Experience & Achievements
• 7+ years of proven success in complex B2B, commercial, or financial sales environments.
• Consistent record of top-quartile performance and exceeding ambitious sales targets.
• Expertise in consultative, multi-stakeholder selling — with a history of influencing C-suite decision-makers and closing large, high-impact deals.
• Demonstrated success in solution-oriented sales across payments, financial services, SaaS, or related industries.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to articulate ROI, profitability, and business impact.
• Skills & Mindset
• Exceptional communicator— able to translate complex solutions into compelling, actionable value for clients.
• Analytical thinker with a bias for execution and results.
• Confidence maintaining success and high standards in a regulated environment.
• Competitive, confident, and composed under pressure — yet collaborative and growth-oriented.
• Strong financial acumen with the capability to interpret client financial statements, analyze balance sheets, and identify working capital needs to inform strategic solutions and relationship discussions.
• Ambitious spirit with the ability to work independently, think creatively, and drive measurable business outcomes while doing so operating within large institutional culture and workflows.
• Adaptability in fast-changing environments
• Expert in CRM management, pipeline forecasting, and disciplined sales execution.
• Education
• Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.