Director - Global Program Management, Air & Transportation

TLS Global Strategic Partnerships & Marketing

The Global Strategic Partnerships and Marketing (GPM) within TLS/American Express Travel brings together the best travel partners in the world to create unparalleled value and unforgettable experiences across the travel journey - and amplifies this to Card Members wherever they are. 

Job Description

The Global Airline and Transportation team within Global Strategic Partnerships and Marketing is responsible for managing and growing American Express Travel’s relationships with airline and transportation suppliers globally. This team leads a portfolio of airline partners, negotiating commercial agreements that optimize supplier economics while delivering differentiated value to American Express Card Members.

The Director, Global Program Management – Air & Car will lead a newly established function responsible for defining and scaling the global program strategy, standards, and governance framework across airline and car partnerships. This role will be critical in driving consistency, operational excellence, and long-term commercial value, while enabling Account Management teams to maximize revenue and partner performance.

We are seeking a strategic, execution-oriented leader who can build structure, drive alignment across a complex stakeholder landscape, and translate vision into scalable programs. This individual will play a pivotal role in shaping the future operating model for Air & Transportation partnerships and ensuring a differentiated, best-in-class experience for Card Members globally

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the global portfolio strategy and prioritization for airline and transportation partners, ensuring focus on highest-value opportunities

• Evolve and strengthen the Air & Transportation value proposition, program standards, and positioning to drive competitive differentiation

• Establish and scale global governance frameworks, including contract standards, compliance (PRSA, RCSA), and risk management processes

• Lead airline contract structure and negotiation frameworks in partnership with Account Management and RM to optimize commercial outcomes

• Drive operational excellence across online and offline channels, ensuring consistent execution, presentation, and customer experience

• Develop and implement standardized onboarding, documentation, and partner processes to enable scalability

• Build and manage global performance tracking, including scorecards, KPIs, and accountability frameworks across partners

• Translate audit insights and performance data into actionable strategies in partnership with Account Management teams

• Serve as central liaison across TLS and Enterprise stakeholders to ensure alignment and resolve cross-functional issues

• Identify and drive innovation opportunities through competitive insights, industry trends, and emerging capabilities

Qualifications

• Strong strategic thinker with a growth mindset and ability to balance long-term vision with near-term execution

• Proven ability to build and scale programs, frameworks, or operating models in complex, matrixed organizations

• Exceptional problem solver with comfort navigating ambiguity and driving structured solutions

• Demonstrated experience leading high-performing teams and developing talent

• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment across functions

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex topics into clear, actionable insights

• Proven ability to collaborate across multiple teams including Partnerships, Product, Capabilities, Marketing, and Operations

• Ability to operate at both strategic and tactical levels, with strong attention to detail and execution rigor

• Experience with governance, risk management, and operational processes is strongly preferred

• Familiarity with travel, partnerships, or marketplace businesses is a plus

Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for this position.