Director - MarTech AI Product Strategy & Program Management

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director - MarTech AI Product Strategy & Program Management

Company: American Express

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Marketing Operations / Product Strategy

Date Posted: March 03, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the strategic vision and long-term roadmap for next-generation AI and Agentic Marketing capabilities within American Express's MarTech ecosystem.

• Lead the identification, validation, and prioritization of high-impact AI use cases across marketing functions, including leveraging advanced technologies like LLM agents and vibe coding.

• Oversee the evaluation, selection, and integration of best-in-class AI capabilities and vendor solutions, ensuring robust due diligence and governance processes.

• Champion AI fluency and adoption across the Membership Portfolio Services (MPS) organization, developing training and enablement programs to build widespread capability and confidence.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI technology and practical marketing application, requiring a strong understanding of both MarTech platforms and strategic product development. The emphasis on "Agentic Marketing" suggests a focus on autonomous or semi-autonomous marketing functions powered by AI.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and execute a 2-3 year AI strategy and roadmap for marketing technology, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities and emerging technology trends.

• Partner closely with Product Development, Marketing, and Technology teams to identify and prioritize impactful AI use cases, including those for enterprise tools like LLM agents and vibe coding.

• Evaluate, recommend, and onboard external AI vendor solutions, leading the due diligence and governance process.

• Develop and manage financial models to quantify the impact of AI use cases and track value realization and performance metrics.

• Design and implement AI fluency and adoption programs, including training and enablement initiatives, for the MPS organization.

• Lead change management efforts related to AI adoption, collaborating with Marketing Operations, Marketing, and Product teams to foster new ways of working.

• Ensure cross-functional collaboration with stakeholders in Marketing, Technology, Risk, Legal, and Compliance to guarantee scalability and adherence to regulations.

• Monitor external trends in AI, GenAI, and marketing innovation, integrating insights into Amex's strategic decisions and roadmap planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic planning, operational execution, and cross-functional leadership, typical for a Director-level role focused on driving technological innovation within a large enterprise. The explicit mention of "vibe coding" suggests a need for understanding emerging AI applications beyond standard LLMs.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Marketing, Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline is typically expected for a Director-level role. A Master's degree or MBA may be preferred.

Experience:

• 5-7 years in management consulting, strategy, or innovation roles with significant exposure to marketing technology (MarTech).

Required Skills:

• Strategic, big-picture thinking with a deep understanding of AI, GenAI, and marketing technology ecosystems.

• Proven ability to translate emerging technologies into practical applications and demonstrable business value.

• Strong business acumen and creativity in identifying opportunities for new capabilities, tools, or customer experiences.

• Demonstrated ability to drive transformation across functions, balancing strategic vision with operational rigor.

• Excellent stakeholder management and consultative skills, with a proven track record of influencing senior leaders.

• Ability to navigate ambiguity and employ structured thinking to derive meaningful, data-driven insights.

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex concepts and facilitate conversations between business and technical teams.

• Experience in program management, including roadmap definition, prioritization, and value tracking.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in financial modeling, business case development, and value realization tracking.

• Knowledge of enterprise MarTech platforms and their integration capabilities.

• Familiarity with risk management, legal, and compliance frameworks relevant to marketing and technology deployment.

• Experience with change management methodologies and fostering adoption of new technologies.

• Comfort working in fast-paced environments with tight deadlines and making decisions with imperfect information.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements indicate a need for a seasoned professional with a strategic consulting background who can bridge the gap between technological potential and business impact. The preference for people leadership experience suggests this role may involve managing a team or leading initiatives with significant human capital.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable experience in developing and executing strategic roadmaps for new technologies, particularly in the MarTech space.

• Case studies showcasing the evaluation and implementation of AI or advanced marketing technologies, highlighting the process from ideation to deployment.

• Examples of identifying and prioritizing high-impact use cases, with a clear rationale for selection and expected business outcomes.

• Documentation or presentations illustrating financial modeling for technology investments, including impact sizing and value realization tracking.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of frameworks used for evaluating and selecting MarTech vendors or AI solutions, including due diligence and governance protocols.

• Case studies on designing and implementing AI fluency and enablement programs to drive adoption and capability building.

• Documentation of change management strategies and processes employed to integrate new technologies and ways of working within marketing teams.

• Workflows or process maps demonstrating how AI capabilities were integrated into existing marketing operations or product development cycles.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, demonstrating not just conceptual understanding but also the practical ability to implement and drive adoption of complex AI initiatives within a large corporate structure. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and change management capabilities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $144,250.00 - $256,250.00 annually. This range is based on the provided information. Actual compensation will be determined by factors such as location, experience, and other job-related considerations.

Benefits:

• 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 (hybrid, onsite, or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need).

• 20+ weeks of paid parental leave for all parents (pregnancy, adoption, or surrogacy).

• Free access to global on-site wellness centers (depending on location).

• Free and confidential counseling support through the Healthy Minds program.

• Career development and training opportunities.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected based on business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Director-level role in New York City, reflecting the specialized nature of MarTech and AI strategy. The comprehensive benefits package emphasizes American Express's commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, including generous parental leave and mental health support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services, Credit Card Services, Technology. American Express operates within a highly regulated and competitive financial services landscape, demanding innovation and a strong focus on customer experience and data security.

Company Size: Large Enterprise (American Express is a global financial services corporation with tens of thousands of employees).

Founded: 1850. This long history signifies stability, a deep understanding of the market, and a culture of adaptation and innovation over time.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Enterprise Comms & MarTech Experiences (ECMX) team, part of the Membership Portfolio Services (MPS) within US Consumer Services Business.

• ECMX is described as a "marketing services center of excellence" focused on powering digital marketing experiences through MarTech and MarOps solutions.

Methodology:

• Focus on data-driven decision-making and developing MarTech/MarOps solutions that accelerate business growth.

• Emphasis on user-centric digital marketing experiences.

• A culture that values innovation, collaboration, and supporting colleagues.

• Integration of AI and emerging technologies into marketing strategies and operations.

Company Website: https://www.americanexpress.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: American Express's culture is characterized by a blend of its long-standing heritage and a forward-looking approach to innovation, particularly in digital and AI capabilities. The MarTech domain within MPS is positioned as a critical driver of business growth, emphasizing efficiency and user experience.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Director - MarTech AI Product Strategy & Program Management. This is a senior leadership position focused on strategic product direction and program execution within the MarTech and AI space. It requires a blend of strategic foresight, technical understanding, and leadership acumen.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Vice President, indicating a significant level of responsibility and direct impact on strategic initiatives. Collaboration will be extensive across various departments including Product Development, Marketing, Technology, Risk, Legal, and Compliance.

Operations Impact: This role is pivotal in shaping how American Express leverages AI and advanced marketing technologies to enhance customer experiences, drive marketing efficiency, and ultimately accelerate business growth for its Membership Portfolio Services. The impact is strategic, affecting the future direction of marketing capabilities and technology investments.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI, GenAI, and Agentic Marketing within a leading financial services company.

• Leadership: Potential to build and lead a team focused on MarTech AI product strategy and program management.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the long-term technology vision and drive significant business outcomes at a VP level or beyond.

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain broad insights into various business units and technology functions within American Express.

• Industry Impact: Contribute to defining best practices in MarTech and AI adoption within the financial services sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: This Director role offers a significant opportunity for career advancement, moving from strategic planning and program management to potentially leading larger teams and influencing broader organizational strategy. The focus on AI within MarTech is a high-growth area, providing excellent future career prospects.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. American Express utilizes an "Amex Flex" model, offering flexibility between onsite, hybrid, and virtual arrangements based on role and business needs. This specific role is designated as Hybrid.

Office Location(s): New York, New York, United States. This is a major hub for financial services and technology, offering access to a vibrant ecosystem of talent and resources.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration is key, with extensive interaction expected across Marketing, Technology, Product, Risk, Legal, and Compliance teams.

• The role will involve working with advanced MarTech and AI tools, requiring a tech-forward environment.

• The hybrid model suggests a balance between focused individual work and collaborative team sessions.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with an expectation of flexibility to meet project deadlines and business demands. This allows for structured workdays while accommodating the need for deep strategic thinking and responsive program management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model at American Express reflects a modern approach to work, balancing the benefits of in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote work. This is particularly relevant for a role involving strategic planning and cross-functional alignment, where both focused work and dynamic team interactions are necessary.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter call to assess basic qualifications, salary expectations, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the VP, Digital Product Transformation & Planning, focusing on strategic thinking, MarTech experience, AI knowledge, and leadership approach.

• Panel Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product, Marketing, Technology, and potentially Risk/Legal, assessing collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics.

• Case Study/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to prepare and present on a relevant topic, such as an AI strategy for marketing, a MarTech roadmap, or a solution to a specific business challenge. This would assess strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Final Round: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss vision and long-term impact.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Roadmap Example: Showcase a developed 2-3 year roadmap for MarTech or AI implementation, highlighting key phases, milestones, and expected outcomes.

• AI Use Case Prioritization: Present a framework or example of how you identified, validated, and prioritized AI use cases, demonstrating your ability to link technology to business value.

• Vendor Evaluation Process: Detail your process for evaluating and selecting MarTech or AI vendors, including due diligence, governance, and integration considerations.

• Change Management & Adoption: Include examples of how you drove adoption of new technologies or ways of working, demonstrating your change management and stakeholder influence skills.

• Financial Modeling/Value Realization: Present a case study where you modeled the financial impact of a technology initiative and tracked its value realization.

• Communication Clarity: Ensure all portfolio materials are clear, concise, and visually appealing, effectively communicating complex ideas and results.

Challenge Preparation:

• AI Strategy Development: Be prepared to discuss how you would develop an AI strategy for a large enterprise's marketing function, considering current trends, enterprise priorities, and potential roadblocks.

• Use Case Brainstorming: Practice identifying potential AI use cases within a MarTech context (e.g., personalization, content optimization, campaign automation, predictive analytics).

• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Think through how you would manage differing opinions or priorities among stakeholders from Marketing, Technology, Legal, and Risk.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Prepare to discuss how you approach making decisions and driving progress when faced with incomplete information or rapidly evolving technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, focusing on strategic thinking, technical understanding of AI and MarTech, and the ability to influence and lead within a large, complex organization. A well-prepared portfolio showcasing practical experience in strategy, program management, and AI implementation is essential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• MarTech Platforms: Experience with enterprise-grade Marketing Technology stacks is essential. This may include:

  • Marketing Automation: Adobe Marketing Cloud, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, HubSpot, Marketo.
  • Customer Data Platforms (CDPs): Segment, Tealium, Adobe Experience Platform.
  • Content Management Systems (CMS) & Personalization Engines: Adobe Experience Manager, Sitecore, Optimizely.
  • Advertising Technology (AdTech): Demand-side platforms (DSPs), data management platforms (DMPs).

• AI & Machine Learning Tools: Familiarity with AI/GenAI concepts and platforms. This could include:

  • LLM Platforms: OpenAI API, Google AI Platform, Azure AI.
  • AI/ML Development Environments: Python (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn), R.
  • AI-powered Marketing Solutions: Tools for generative content, predictive analytics, intelligent automation.

• Program Management Tools: Jira, Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project, Monday.com for roadmap planning and execution tracking.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker for data visualization and reporting.

• Data Warehousing & ETL Tools: Experience with data integration and management systems.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Zapier, Workato, or internal automation platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with a broad range of MarTech platforms is expected, coupled with a deep understanding of AI and GenAI capabilities. The ability to connect these tools and drive strategic initiatives through effective program management is critical. Familiarity with enterprise-level data and analytics tools is also a must.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: A strong drive to explore and implement cutting-edge AI and MarTech solutions to stay ahead in a competitive market.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Relying on analytics and metrics to inform strategy, prioritize initiatives, and measure success. Process optimization is key.

• Customer Centricity: Ensuring all marketing technology and AI applications enhance the customer experience and deliver value.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Working effectively across diverse teams (Marketing, Tech, Product, Legal, Risk) to achieve shared goals.

• Operational Excellence: Striving for efficiency, scalability, and reliability in MarTech and MarOps processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Proactive engagement with various departments to ensure alignment and buy-in for AI initiatives.

• Strategic Alignment: Facilitating discussions to ensure technology strategies support broader business objectives.

• Knowledge Sharing: Promoting best practices and insights related to AI and MarTech across the organization.

• Problem-Solving Focus: A collaborative approach to tackling complex challenges, leveraging diverse perspectives to find solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at American Express, particularly within this strategic MarTech AI role, likely emphasizes a blend of innovation, rigorous analysis, and strong collaboration. The company values drive progress and ensure that technological advancements are aligned with business goals and customer needs.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Pace of AI Evolution: Keeping pace with the rapid advancements in AI and GenAI and identifying which technologies are truly impactful and scalable for enterprise use.

• Integration Complexity: Integrating new AI capabilities into a complex, legacy MarTech stack and ensuring seamless data flow and functionality.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Gaining consensus and driving adoption among diverse stakeholders with varying priorities and levels of technical understanding.

• Risk, Legal, and Compliance: Navigating the stringent regulatory environment of financial services to ensure AI deployment is compliant and secure.

• Measuring ROI: Quantifying the business impact and ROI of AI initiatives, which can be challenging for nascent technologies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI & GenAI Specialization: Deepening expertise in cutting-edge AI technologies and their application in marketing.

• Strategic Product Leadership: Developing skills in defining product vision, strategy, and roadmaps for complex technology domains.

• Navigating Enterprise Environments: Gaining experience in driving change and innovation within a large, established corporation.

• Industry Best Practices: Learning from and contributing to the evolving landscape of MarTech and AI within the financial services sector.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior leaders and to mentor junior team members, fostering growth in both directions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges, particularly in managing the rapid evolution of AI and ensuring its responsible, compliant integration within a regulated industry. However, these challenges also translate into substantial growth opportunities for professionals looking to excel in the MarTech and AI strategy space.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define a 2-3 year AI strategy roadmap for a MarTech organization within a financial services company like American Express?" (Focus on methodology, alignment with business goals, and key components.)

• "Walk us through your process for identifying, validating, and prioritizing high-impact AI use cases in marketing. Provide an example." (Emphasize structured thinking, data-driven validation, and impact assessment.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you stay current with the rapidly evolving AI and GenAI landscape, and how would you apply that knowledge to Amex's MarTech strategy?" (Showcase continuous learning and strategic application.)

• "Describe your experience leading change management for technology adoption. How would you champion AI fluency across different departments at Amex?" (Focus on communication, influence, and enablement strategies.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio around key themes: Strategy & Roadmap, Use Case Identification & Prioritization, Vendor Management, Implementation & Adoption, and Impact Measurement.

• Storytelling: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your proposed solution, the process you followed, the challenges overcome, and the measurable results achieved. Use data to support your claims.

• Visuals: Employ clear, professional visuals (charts, diagrams, process flows) to illustrate complex concepts and data.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key achievements succinctly, focusing on impact and relevance to the role. Tailor your presentation to address the specific requirements of the Director position.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, practical application of AI and MarTech knowledge, strong leadership and influencing skills, and an understanding of the financial services industry's unique requirements. A well-curated portfolio that tells a compelling story of impact is crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided American Express careers portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Review your professional portfolio to highlight specific examples of MarTech strategy development, AI use case identification, vendor evaluation processes, and successful program management initiatives. Tailor your presentation to emphasize strategies for driving AI adoption and measuring value realization in a large enterprise.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your experience in management consulting, strategy, innovation, and MarTech, with specific achievements quantified where possible. Integrate keywords such as "AI strategy," "MarTech," "program management," "GenAI," "roadmap definition," and "stakeholder management."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your strategic vision for AI in marketing, your approach to cross-functional collaboration, and how you manage complex projects within regulated environments. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your portfolio during interviews.

• Company Research: Deeply research American Express's current business objectives, its approach to digital transformation and AI, and its company values. Understand the Membership Portfolio Services (MPS) and ECMX teams' strategic importance to gain context for your responses.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.