Manager - Payments Consulting

Role Summary

The Manager, Payments Consulting is responsible for leading the enablement and optimization of American Express acceptance across merchants and payment partners in Japan.

This role delivers strategic, consultative payment solutions to drive card acceptance, enhance transaction processing performance, and support sustainable business growth. The incumbent serves as a key interface between merchants, third-party processors, industry partners, and global American Express teams to ensure seamless payment enablement and operational excellence.

This position requires deep payment industry expertise, strong project leadership capabilities, and the ability to influence both internal and external stakeholders in a matrixed organization.

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. From delivering differentiated products to providing world-class customer service, we operate with a strong risk mindset, ensuring we continue to uphold our brand promise of trust, security, and service.

As part of Team Amex, you’ll experience our 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.

• Provide strategic and technical payment solution consulting to merchants to drive and optimize American Express card acceptance
• Lead payment enablement initiatives, ensuring timely and effective implementation across merchants and processing partners
• Support the development and execution of AMEX Japan’s merchant payment strategy, including preparation for periodic business reviews and executive updates
• Manage and drive cross-functional strategic initiatives aimed at delivering profitable and sustainable growth for Merchant Services Japan
• Build and manage senior-level relationships with key payment ecosystem partners, in compliance with American Express policies and regulatory requirements, including:
  • Payment Service Providers (PSPs)
  • Acquirers and processors
  • POS terminal manufacturers
  • Payment solution providers
  • Industry associations and board members
• Serve as a liaison between AMEX Merchant Services Japan and global teams to enable merchant acceptance and ensure alignment on transaction processing standards, system enhancements, and global initiatives
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and technology advancements, translating insights into actionable business opportunities
• Represent American Express at industry board meetings and strategically influence discussions to align with AMEX business priorities and long-term strategic direction

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in the credit card payment processing industry (e.g., payment networks, acquirers, PSPs, fintech, or related fields)
• Strong consultative and solution-oriented mindset with experience delivering technical or payment-related solutions
• Proven project management skills, including planning, stakeholder coordination, risk management, and issue resolution
• Demonstrated ability to manage strategic external partnerships and influence senior stakeholders
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate business needs into practical and scalable payment solutions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Japanese and English
• High proficiency in Japanese and English, with the ability to operate effectively in a global, matrixed organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in multinational or global environments
• Knowledge of payment authorization flows, clearing and settlement processes, POS integration, and relevant industry standards
• Experience of participating in industry boards or cross-industry working groups