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What will I be doing?
There are a variety of roles at American Express. Your specific role will depend upon both your own aspirations and the needs of the business. Take a look at some of what our current Graduates are doing.
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2008 Graduate Profiles:
 | Hayley Eyre
Project Management - 2008 Graduate
View Hayley's Profile
What attracted you to join American Express?
I studied Biochemistry at University and after three years of research and lab work I fancied getting straight out into the world of work. I researched the sort of company I wanted to work for, international, trusted, successful, and at the forefront of their marketplace. After finding the multi-national Blue Chip company American Express in the 'Top 100 Graduate Employers' guide I realised they fit the bill perfectly!
It was clear that Amex was dedicated to supporting its employees by encouraging career development and rewarding performance, this seemed like a great way to start my post-university career.- Looking into the Graduate Schemes available with Amex I was instantly drawn to the GNS (Global Network Services) Project Management stream, it sounded extremely fast paced, challenging and varied and made the most of my organisational skills and my ability to apply myself to achieve goals.
How would you describe your team and the people you work with?
My first rotation was based in the GNS EMEA Executive Office in London, the team is responsible for developing the strategy and planning for GNS business in Europe, The Middle East and Africa. I couldn't have asked for a better team to be a part of, it was such an excellent opportunity to be working directly for the EVP (Executive Vice President) of GNS EMEA and his Director Assistant. The department, and GNS as a whole, is fast paced and exciting with an entrepreneurial feel and being in the Exec Team provided me with such high level exposure within the company and I couldn't have asked for a better start to my career.
- My colleagues were and still are very supportive and appreciate my relative inexperience within the corporate world while still giving me work and projects that stretch and challenge me. This allowed me to develop skills and grow in confidence more quickly than I thought possible.
- My second rotation has seen me placed within the newly formed Global ATM Team. The EVP had a direct say in where I would be best placed for my second rotation based on what role and department would best develop and challenge me as well as giving me the best opportunity to progress within the company. The ATM Team is a very different place to work compared to the Exec. Team, I have gone from working within a very well established team to a very new team who are learning and developing together. This provides me with a fantastic opportunity to grow and learn with them and to be part of a new and promising team who are expected to deliver big results!
What about your career excites you most - gets you out of bed in the morning?
My role within GNS has been very diverse and also very high exposure. A number of my projects have seen me reporting directly to the EVP of GNS EMEA and his Director, and have had a direct contribution to how our business operates. Even as a new starter at a Graduate level, I am already in a position to guide business performance and have a real impact on the success of individual projects and the company as a whole. It is a credit to Amex that any employee at any level is given the opportunity and the responsibility to make such a difference and to take on such proactive roles. Being involved in major projects, with stakeholders on an international scale, is a major motivation and I look forward to delivering fantastic results as part of my new team!
What do you most enjoy about your role?
I have really enjoyed the diversity of the roles I have held here at American Express, both have been tailored to give me maximum exposure to as many of the areas of the business as possible from partner servicing to project implementation. I love the fact that on a daily basis I will work with any number of different teams both within the London office and also in different offices all over the World giving me an extensive support network. During my time with Amex I have already worked with our partner banks across Europe, the Middle East and Africa to support our Global Corporate Card division to provide a better service to their clients. I have also worked on the re-engineering tax reporting process to save the company's bottom line from being hit with unnecessary charges as well as proposing the launch of a new card by our International Currency Card department. That I think is in essence the beauty of American Express, and in particular GNS... diversity.
- What is the most challenging part of your job?
I think the most challenging element of my role so far has been learning to manage my work load and to prioritise effectively. I am currently working on several projects for my new team whilst continuing to support the Exec. Office with two additional projects. All of these projects have different priority levels and are developing at different rates. I therefore have to ensure that I can focus on prioritising efficiently and ensure that each project receives the time and attention it requires to provide me and my team with a successful outcome.
What training and development opportunities exist for you?
The roles that I have held during my time with American Express have provided me with priceless opportunities for on-the-job development, you cannot underestimate how quickly you develop new skills and improve your confidence levels when you are placed in a role with extensive responsibilities. Not only do you learn to use your initiative to make complex and often difficult decisions independently but you also learn to support and be supported by other team members, something that has made my time at Amex both productive and enjoyable.
On starting with American Express I was matched with an appropriate Mentor and a Graduate Buddy who have both continued to support me through the challenges I have faced and have shared their experiences with me giving me invaluable advice for getting the most out of my career with Amex.
The company as a whole places an incredibly high emphasis on the development of its employees which is one of the key factors that encouraged me to apply for the Amex Graduate Scheme. Every employee has a development plan, which gives them the opportunity to map out what they want to achieve, how they want to get there, and importantly, what support they need to do that.
Mandatory training in areas such as 'Anti-Bribery and Corruption' and 'Security and Privacy Awareness' as well as specific training on the 'GNS Value Proposition' and 'Fundamental Financials' has ensured that a skilled Amex task force with a good understanding of how the company functions are upholding the company's Blue Box Values at all times. The Graduate Scheme itself also presents excellent opportunities for development with both formal training courses and introduction talks and presentations by many different lines of business. |
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 | Emma Hanman
Operations/Customer Management - 2008 Graduate
View Emma's Profile
What attracted you to join American Express and the Graduate Scheme?
I graduated in English Literature and Language from the University of Sussex in July 2007. I started working for American Express in my second year as a temporary Credit Analyst. I always assumed I would leave when I had finished my degree, however, I loved the company and the people here so much that I never left and made my part-time temp job a career!
Having thoroughly enjoyed working at Amex while I was studying, deciding which graduate scheme to apply for was a piece of cake. I had already developed a strong loyalty to the company and a belief in their vision, values and strength as a brand - so naturally I was keen to stay. In my three years at Amex I had already developed so much, so I knew first hand that as a company, they invested in their people.
How would you describe your team and the people you work with?
They have all been very quick to welcome me into the team and ensure I am well settled in. There is a really strong team mentality at American Express, and this makes for a very unique working environment. Everyone shares the same vision and passion to make the company as successful as it can possibly be. I have found each person to be extremely approachable and supportive – from the reps on the phones to the senior management. It makes work enjoyable if you are greeted each morning with friendly faces.
What do you do in your job?
I am currently based in the UK Customer Service Centre where I coordinate a customer service improvement strategy; driving results and improvements in customer satisfaction survey results. I coordinate and arrange output from call listening events and project-manage the completion of actions arising from the forum and update the Customer Service Centre. Through this I am developing a close relationship with outsourced partners, with the aim of improving results across the centre. I am the central point of contact for communications relating to the Customer Service Improvement Plan, partnering with Line Optimisation to ensure coordinated efforts result in progress. I also work very closely with one of the 2007 grads to align employee engagement with customer focus.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
I think the most challenging part of my role so far has been learning to switch my attention very quickly from one task to another. I am working on several projects at the moment; they each have different priority levels and are developing at different rates. I therefore have to ensure that I can switch my focus rapidly from one to the other. It is also a balancing act and I have to coordinate customer-focussed events/coaching alongside ensuring there is minimal impact to the centre’s service level.
What do you most enjoy about your role – what gets you out of bed in the morning?
The belief that I really am making changes and having a significant impact within the company. From the very first day I was trusted and encouraged to make important process changes that can have a direct, positive impact on the customer service we are providing our cardmembers. My opinion is always respected and listened to, and I am encouraged to think creatively. The sense of satisfaction that this can have is immeasurable. I have always had a strong sense of direction in my roles at American Express, and my development has been both supported and encouraged. Whether that be progressing within my role, or taking the next step on the ladder, I have always had something to focus on, keeping me fully engaged.
What training and development opportunities exist for you?
Development and training are two key themes within American Express, particularly on the Graduate Scheme. EVERY employee in the whole company is encouraged to complete a development plan that will assist you in developing both within your role, and in your career as a whole. You are offered support on every level with both constructing and executing this plan.
I have had the opportunity to attend many specialist courses – such as Microsoft office, people leadership, call centre management seminars, personal presence courses, service-level planning tutorials, absence management workshops and a Situational Self Leadership course.
At Amex, you are treated as an individual. Something that is very unique to American Express, is that they place as much emphasis on employees as they do on the shareholder and customer. It really is a working environment like no other! |
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 | Mike Oxley
Marketing - 2008 Graduate
View Mike's Profile
What attracted you to join American Express?
My previous experience with the company was a major factor in my pursuit of a place on the UK Graduate Programme. During my post-University gap year in Australia, I had the opportunity to work for 6 months as an analyst within the Sydney-based Corporate Maintenance Team. I immediately felt that the opportunity was there to progress and take on as much additional responsibility as I felt I could handle. I was particularly impressed by the American Express Blue Box Values, all of which I could see clearly demonstrated, particularly in terms of the respect and recognition I received for my work, regardless of my role as a temporary contractor. I also feel that the three rotations format provides plenty of opportunity to get involved in a wide-variety of interesting and challenging projects, and develop a wide-range of new skills, whilst also gaining an in-depth understanding of the card business.
How would you describe your team and the people you work with?
In my first and current rotation, I am placed within the ICSS (International Consumer and Small Business Services) Lending Team. This is an incredibly dynamic and versatile team, with responsibility for the overall health of the UK Lending Portfolio. This encompasses a broad range of responsibilities including Market Analysis, Product Re-engineering, New Product Development, and Campaign Management. There is a real sense of drive and energy within both my team and across the business unit as a whole. One of the things I picked up on at an early stage is the commitment and dedication of those around me to their role, which can be a real inspiration at times. My colleagues have all shown great support in my integration into the team, and everyone is approachable and willing to help with any new tasks and challenges.
What about your career excites you most - gets you out of bed in the morning?
Even as a new starter at a Graduate level, I am already in a position to guide business performance and have a real impact on the success of the company as a whole. This is a major drive, and I relish the opportunity to go in on a daily basis and contribute to what is already a fantastic organisation. Being involved in major projects, with stakeholders at an international scale is a major motivation, and I look forward to seeing the results of my efforts a few months down the line.
What do you most enjoy about your role?
The day-to-day variation in my role ensures that every day is different and full of new responsibilities and challenges. In less than 6 weeks from starting in this role, I have taken responsibility for coordinating two major product enhancements, updated a whole set of marketing communications, presented a review to the US central team and interacted with teams across the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Mexico. I get to interact with a wide-variety of people on a daily basis and I am positioned in such a way that I can play a major role in driving compelling and engaging projects, which can have a major impact on business performance.
What training and development opportunities exist for you?
American Express has a very structured approach to development and training, with Performance Management taking key priority at an early stage. There is a great support system in place, with both a mentor and a graduate buddy available to you from the outset to assist in guiding your development and integration within the organisation. An extensive training program is available with a number of tutor-led and online training courses available to all employees, and your manager will aid in setting goals and a development plan to guide your progress and development within the role.
Aside from this formal development and training, the opportunities available in terms of the people you interact with and the projects you can be involved in across the organisation will help to develop a broad understanding of the business and how the various teams and functions within the organisation combine to drive business performance from an early stage. |
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 | Constance Weise
Sales - 2008 Graduate
View Constance's Profile
What attracted you to join American Express?
I have always wanted to start my career within a multinational company, such as American Express. Being fluent in three languages, I was mainly looking for a truly international employer. American Express really is an international company with offices all around the world. People in the office around me are from all sorts of different places, such as Australia, the USA, Malaysia, Italy and France, only to name a few. I was also attracted by the great reputation it enjoyed being amongst The Times Top 50 employers of where women want to work. I applied because American Express covers everything I was looking for: A prime financial service brand recognised all over the world, international presence, great scope for learning and personal development and fantastic people to work with.
How would you describe your team and the people you work with?
In my first and current rotation I’m placed within the Global Corporate Group department which looks after corporate accounts, i.e. multinationals. I am part of a very small, highly professional team and work very closely with my leader, a Director, on promoting the Corporate Meeting Card Solution to Amex clients in an effort to grow the client base. Our 'extended' team consists of a diversity of people with various backgrounds from Product Management, Implementation and Marketing, which ensures a great working team, interaction and variety. One thing I have found is that everyone is extremely professional and very approachable - there is always someone I can turn to for questions and support.
What about your career excites you most - gets you out of bed in the morning?
What excites me most is the fast-paced environment I work in, and the clients we work for. I really value the increasing amount of responsibility I get each day while learning on the job - I feel like I am actually contributing to the success of the company with the work I am doing, which is very satisfying. The network of great people I work within and the exciting projects I am involved in really make a difference to job satisfaction, and are a major part of what gets me going every day.
What do you most enjoy about your role?
My role is a very exciting one as it is a mixture between a sales manager, the product management and a consultative role. I get to know new people and interact with a wide range of professionals on a daily basis. I have the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with my manager who has over a decade of work experience in a variety of different jobs within Amex. No day is the same for me, and the fast-paced environment ensures a great deal of variety of tasks. I really enjoy working closely with clients as well as working autonomously and then pulling it all together in a team. I have been given the opportunity to contribute since day one and am constantly challenged, while striving for constant improvement.
What advice do you have for people considering a career in Project ManageWhat training and development opportunities exist for you?
Graduates at Amex are generally very well looked after with regards to training and development. Apart from getting assigned a senior positioned mentor who guides me through my career with professional advice and helps me define my goals, I was also given a Graduate buddy who helps me to settle in the company. My personal learning curve is a very steep one: not only am I continuously learning on the job, but I am also offered online training and workshops covering leadership and other motivational or subject-matter related courses. |
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Previous Graduate Profiles:
 | Chris Taylor
Project Management
View Chris's Profile
Tell me about yourself.
After graduating from the University of Manchester with an honours degree in History, I worked for a Management Consultancy in the Financial Services industry, and then moved on to help manage a small engineering firm. In September 2006, and already a resident of Brighton, I began work at American Express on the Project Management Graduate Scheme. During my two graduate rotations I worked as a Project Manager in Global Commercial Card and then in Merchant Services. Today I am in a permanent role back in Corporate Card, working in Global Commercial Services Technologies.
What do you do in your job?
In my current role I sit within a team called Advisory Services. The team has two main responsibilities: project management and consultancy for the business. As a result, I project manage technologies projects, such as producing company specific corporate cards for major clients and updating customer services systems. However, I also carry out a pure advisory role as well. In this guise, I am the point of contact for the business for any issues, investigations or queries that require analysis and solution development by Technologies. For example, an employee from the Marketing organisation will come to me with an issue or an opportunity, and I will carry out the research required to develop a progressive solution, and then present this back to the Business. If successful, the proposal will become a funded project, and I will pass my initial work onto the Technologies development teams who will deliver the full requirements.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I was given the full responsibility to manage projects from the first moment I arrived at American Express, and the trust that was shown in me to deliver my goals independently, but with the appropriate support, gave me a tremendous feeling of empowerment. However, my current preference is for the consultancy and relationship management role that I fulfil within Advisory Services. This enables me to cover a multitude of small projects that are often focused on innovation, and it helps me to build my network within the Business. The key to my success and enjoyment in this area was identifying that my strengths lie in building and managing relationships, and utilising these skills to consistently deliver my goals.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging aspect of my job is to build the networks required to complete my consultancy activities. More often than not employees will be working on funded projects, so achieving their buy-in to assist with new innovations is not always easy. However, once I can convince them of the benefits of the idea, they are often more than happy to provide the support I require to drive the proposal to a successful conclusion.
What advice do you have for people considering a career in Project Management?
To be a successful Project Manager you need to be organised, patient and be a strong judge of character. The skills that you will acquire as a Project Manager on the Graduate Scheme are easily transferable across most departments together with the ability to lead teams at a very early stage is both enjoyable and beneficial in terms of career progression. If you can produce drive, quality and innovation on a consistent basis then Project Management could be the career for you. |
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 | Lucy Hart
Customer Service
View Lucy's Profile
Having studied French, Spanish and Portuguese for my degree, I started at American Express straight from university. My new role meant relocating to Brighton but I found both my new workplace and my new town to be incredibly friendly places where I was quickly made to feel very welcome and I can honestly say I’ve never looked back!
What do you do in your job?
I finished the Graduate Programme in August 2007 and was promoted to Manager in the Risk Optimisation Team which is part of Customer Services International (CSI). In my department we work closely with our business partners and operations to drive improvements in our customer metrics and financial performance from a risk perspective.
In my first rotation I was based in the UK Customer Service Centre where I was involved in project work. I focused mainly on process improvement, employee engagement and marketing. During my placement I developed a good understanding of the different business drivers and key metrics while building an extensive network of contacts which I am sure will prove invaluable. I was delighted to have the opportunity to get involved in significant initiatives which have driven Cardmember and employee satisfaction, such as devising and rolling out a tool to provide marketing information to our customer service representatives. During my placement I was responsible for managing my own workload and balancing my priorities and deadlines and thoroughly enjoyed working in such a fast-paced environment where there's never a spare moment to look at the clock and before you know it another day has passed! I then moved to Merchant Services which is extremely interesting for me as I learnt a completely different side of the Business. People leadership experience is essential for anybody wishing to progress within the company so it's great that the Graduate Programme allows you to gain this experience whilst on the Programme.
What do you enjoy about your job?
It sounds like a cliché, but it really is the people here that make Amex such an excellent place to work. The atmosphere is fantastic and there's a real team spirit. I also love that you get out what you put in, so if you work hard you get to reap the rewards and see the benefits of your efforts. You have a great support network too and there's a real focus on your personal development, with everybody having a development plan and being encouraged to progress, in whatever way's appropriate for each individual. Finally, in my new role I am based in a European team, so I am excited about the exposure to the different markets we operate in across International, particularly given my language degree.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
I think the most challenging part of my work so far has been learning to say no! When I started the programme I was so keen to get involved in many different initiatives that it was important for me to improve on my ability to prioritise, delegate and push back where appropriate, and this has been a useful learning experience for me.
What advice do you have for people considering a career in Customer Services?
If you feel passionate about great Customer Service then a career in this field really can open up a host of opportunities. Within Customer Services International at Amex there is an enormous variety of job functions, and American Express is a great place to develop and hone your skills and abilities. The Graduate Scheme gives you the chance to gain experience in several areas of the Business while you find out where your preferences lie, and I guess I'd have to say my one piece of advice would be "never say never", as you really never know where a career in Customer Service may take you! |
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 | Lola Adeshigbin
Customer Service
View Lola's Profile
Tell me about yourself.
I graduated from King’s College, University of London in July 2006 with a 2:1 BA Honours in French with Applied Computing and started at American Express in the September 2006.
What do you do your your job?
Following the graduate program, I secured a role in Business Transformation that commenced in August 2008.
In my current role, I manage projects across CSi International, with a focus on re-engineering and generating Customer revenue.
My current projects include reviewing the first contact resolution of Clientele enquiries for the UK market. This project allows me to work with several departments outside of CSi that impact this area. It also includes the end-to-end review of several processes within American Express, with the emphasis on making them more robust. Additionally, I am working with the Belgium market to review the Clientele demand into their centres and create solutions that improve the Customer experience and reduce preventable demand.
My work involves the application of Six Sigma methodology and having just completed the Green Belt training, I am now working towards becoming certified.
On a daily basis, I am responsible for managing relationships with different business areas as well as driving the projects I am leading, giving me the flexibility and opportunity to effect changes. It is a fast-paced and unpredictable environment!
In my new role, I work mainly on Process Improvement, Marketing Communications, and Employee Engagement. It is a very diverse role that allows me to work with various other departments. As a result, I have developed a good understanding of the different business areas whilst building an extensive network of people. I have gained the ability to influence other people outside of my authority. Additionally, I oversee the management of two Marketing and Process Improvement focus groups of over 40 people within the call centre. My varied projects include working with other departments to augment processes that impact the call centre, enhancing the cardmember communications and making key improvements to the systems used to service our cardmembers.
I am responsible for managing my workload and initiating the projects I take part in, giving me the flexibility and opportunity to effect changes. It is a fast-paced, unpredictable environment and I enjoy every moment of it! The graduate programme is a wonderful opportunity to develop one’s talent as it rotates you to different areas, challenging you each time. My next placement sees me managing a team and I am looking forward to gaining people leadership experience.
What do you enjoy about your job?
Coming straight from university to work for a Company as big as American Express can seem a bit daunting, but my experience here has proven that it is anything but that. I enjoy working with the people and share their passion to make American Express as successful as it can be. There is a great support network, ranging from Mentors to Managers and the focus is very much on developing the individual, who will in turn continue with the development of the Company. I also appreciate the ethos of the Company as I see the blue box values applied at each level of the business.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my role is being able to influence changes without having direct authority. This is due to the fact that the work I do affects external departments, outside of Business Transformation. It means that I have to be able to convince the departments of the benefits of my projects and ensure that it is aligned with their goals and ambitions. It has been a very useful learning experience for me as it provides me with a more rounded view of the Company’s varied goals, outside of my department.
What advice do you have for people considering a career in Customer Services?
Go for it! It is a very diverse area that liaises with all other areas of American Express, giving you the opportunity to understand the entire Company. In addition, the graduate scheme is wide-ranging, allowing you to work in different roles across Customer Services. American Express is a great Company to work for and if you want to work in a place that is thoroughly enjoyable and challenging, then start filling in the application! |
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 | Jay Wissema
Marketing
View Jay's Profile
Tell me about yourself.
I have a Bachelors degree in International Business from the Manchester Metropolitan University and a Master’s degree in Marketing from the Manchester Business School. Following a stint as a Junior Consultant in Ecorys Research & Consulting in the Netherlands I joined Amex in 2005.
Tell me about your work during the programme?
Within International Consumer Card and Small Business Services (ICSS), our consumer and small business cards and services operation outside of the USA, I have had the opportunity to work on a pan-European level as part of the Regional Team as well as experience a function at a local market level within the UK, Europe’s largest market.
My experiences at American Express kicked-off within Customer Acquisition at regional and then at market level. The former rotation focused on the development of new channels of acquisition while the latter involved acquisition campaign management and customer satisfaction projects. I finalised the programme in a regional role focusing on product strategy and development. In a nutshell, this position looked at how our products should be constructed and positioned in the market place by considering a number of internal and external factors.
What did you enjoy about your Marketing roles?
As a Marketer I was exposed to a wide range of external and internal information and regularly cooperated with other parts of the business. This is not uncommon when part of the Marketing team and you will be in a position to grasp the behaviour of the external environment and understand the operations which drive the business internally. I find the Card business fascinating and enjoy the opportunity to understand it in detail.
Another aspect of the work which is appealing is the blend of analytics and creativity which form a core part of the work. Combined with a high level of inter-personal interaction these attributes make this a fantastic and unique position.
What was the most challenging part of your programme?
The programme put me on a steep learning curve. The Card business is complicated and there has been a lot to learn. As part of ICSS Marketing, it is not unlikely that you will work with Operations, Finance, Merchant Services and more. To be able to cooperate with these teams effectively I have had to learn about their operations as well as those of ICSS Marketing. The bottom line is that there is a lot to learn and quickly.
What is your advice for people considering a role on the Marketing programme?
The assessment process will require preparation on your behalf. Have a clear idea of what your competencies are before being assessed.
Once inside, the rotation will put you in an ideal position to quickly develop a portfolio of diverse projects and to build a network of colleagues across Amex. While the programme comes with a number of great training seminars and meetings with key members of Amex, the degree of success which you will achieve will fall largely upon you. You will be provided with plenty of support from your line manager, graduate coordinator, buddy and other colleagues but ultimately you will be expected to deliver results on your projects. I recommend that you treat each of your rotations as a permanent position and each team as a permanent team rather than consider the eighteen months simply as an introduction period. In my experience, you will have a say in your work and I suggest that you proactively engage your line manager regarding projects in which you would like to get involved so as to drive the direction of your expertise. I also strongly recommend that you continuously make introduction appointments with colleagues across all parts of Amex. This will be highly beneficial to your work and to your future development in the company.
Tell me about your time at Amex after the programme?
In 2007 I joined GNS, our business unit that manages the Company’s relationships with card-issuing business partners around the world. Within my Team, which focuses specifically on partnerships in the emerging markets of Central/Eastern Europe and Russia, I currently manage our issuing business in Bulgaria. Focusing on the development of our card related activities in the market, my responsibilities can be broadly categorised as Product Development, Customer Acquisition, Engagement and Retention. The role combines elements of marketing, consulting and negotiations as I work hand-in-hand with Bulgarian Postbank, our local partner, to develop the Amex issuing business in the country. The position is highly client orientated and requires intensive travel for up to 90% of my time. |
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 | John Easton
Sales
View John's Profile
Tell me about yourself.
My name is John Easton and I graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a 1st in Business & Management. My university degree was a four year modular course that comprised of a sandwich placement which I completed at Compaq. Having graduated in 2003, I joined American Express on the Sales stream of the Graduate Programme.
Tell me about your current role.
My current role in American Express is Business Development Manager, working across 50 of the largest global clients in the American Express corporate portfolio. The job requires interaction directly with the client base when expanding the current relationships with new products/services or across more markets and internally with the Account Development Manager base and Senior Management to identify the areas of focus for future expansion opportunities - and at a more strategic level - help develop the long-term business roadmaps.
The wide scope of my job enables me to become involved in a number of different projects meaning that two days work are rarely the same! The role works across a number of American Express business units allowing me to widen my network of contacts and identify areas of interest for future positions within the Company - including opportunities across the globe. However, one of the most enjoyable parts of the job is the people I get to work with - colleagues are always eager to help and inspire you to a different way of thinking which really helps your own personal development. There is also a very active social scene which means after a hard days work you won’t be drinking alone!
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my job is the multiple deadlines - particularly in a matrix organisation where is not a single reporting line and you are completing projects for a number of different stakeholders. It is very necessary to set people's expectations up front and ensure your time management skills are up to scratch!
What is your advice for people considering a role in the Sales programme?
The Graduate Scheme allowed me to undertake a number of roles within the sales organisation. My first placement was with the UK Corporate Card team and this provided me with a solid foundation of the products and services being sold to the corporate client base. This initial grounding helped with my second placement as I worked on a multi-market implementation of one of American Express' 50 global clients. This involved travelling to client locations across EMEA and 'selling in' the product at a local market level. My final rotation was with our Purchasing Card department which completed my knowledge of the corporate product set.
What is your role after the Scheme?
Since completing the Graduate Scheme in February 2005, I have been a local market Account Development Manager with a portfolio of seven of the global clients. Having completed a year in this role I was successful in obtaining a promotion to my current role and I am now looking at a further move to another geographic region to further my knowledge of American Express.
Do not be scared to ask questions and build up a network of colleagues as quickly as possible. As cliched as it may sound networking will help you get on - there is no chance you will ever know everything about everything, but as long as you can call upon someone who does have a certain level of expertise you will be in pretty good shape! |
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 | Ali Taher
Sales
View Ali's Profile
Tell me about yourself.
I graduated from The University of Sussex with a 2:1 degree in Politics in 2004. Following University, I spent 10 months working for American Express Bank in a temporary role as a telephone sales agent and teller. It was this experience of the Company that inspired me to become involved in greater depth and apply for the graduate sales programme starting in 2006.
What did you expect from the sales programme & why did you apply for it?
During and after my time at university I had gained some sales related experience through running music and entertainment events and working in a telephone sales role. These experiences as well as the strong interpersonal and relationship building skills I felt I had lead me to apply for the sales graduate scheme. It was difficult to know what to expect. I imagined I may have some basic sales training then perhaps split my time between doing some telephone based sales work, and develop towards face to face sales. In reality, this would have been a relatively insular approach, given the complexity of American Express’ sales organisation. Your training is much broader, and based on business needs at the time. The great thing is that once you join, there is the flexibility to get experience in the areas that interest you.
What do you do in your job?
My first rotation was in the National Account Development team where I worked closely with Relationship Managers who typically managed and developed portfolios of between 10 and 20 mid-market corporate accounts. I was assigned 3 or 4 major accounts to work closely with, which gave me a feel for the range of products and services American Express provides to its corporate clients. I was client facing almost straight away, but in these situations would usually be accompanying the relevant Account Manager. The role helped me build my overall understanding of how to balance building, and developing a relationship while selling in new products and services according to individual client needs. I also gained a good understanding of the life cycle clients move through internally at American Express - from the initial “sell in” stage, through to being assigned a Relationship Manager. Day to day, I would be involved in a range of activities, from visiting clients to working on account related pieces like reporting, forecasting and internal meetings. In addition to account related work, I also got involved in team related activities, which really helped me develop my relationships with other team members. I now work within the central team managing a remote account management function across 7 European markets. Approximately 18,000 smaller accounts are managed through this channel. In this role, I have mainly been involved in a diverse set of projects which focus on the strategic development of this rapidly growing business. I own a set of projects, and this allows me to have contact with people in a vast range of business functions – from product development and technologies through to compliance and legal teams across American Express, globally. It is an exciting role, where everyday is different, and I am given the flexibility and independence to reach my final goal through using my own initiative and creativity.
What do you enjoy about your job?
When I joined American Express, one of the first things that struck me was the level of help and support that was available to me. Having so many friendly faces around really helped me settle in to what seemed like a complex new role where there was a lot to take in. My current role allows for a lot of creative thinking. Ideas are often discussed with a close-knit team of people who all share a vision of how the business should grow in the future. If an idea is put forward, and agreed upon, it is likely it will be implemented as a project stream for you to manage – You really get a sense of involvement and achievement. I like the diversity I have in my working life. Days tend not to be the same. One day I could be at my desk working on part of a project, the next could be occupied by meetings and the one after; I could be off site seeing clients or suppliers.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
On the sales graduate scheme, you won’t necessarily be working in a direct sales role. You may be placed somewhere within one of American Express’ broader sales functions, which really helps you develop the wide ranging knowledge and skills which are crucial in preparing you for the next steps in a career in sales at American Express. For this reason though, there is so much to take in. At first, I’d say the biggest challenge was to develop a firm understanding of the numerous different products on offer, as well as how each component or department fits into the bigger picture. Things can be confusing to start off with, but there’s lots of support there to help you!
What advice do you have for people considering a career in Sales?
There are numerous suggestions of what it takes to be successful in sales. From my point of view, sales people often have a combination of both inherent and acquired skills, a strong knowledge of their product and diverse experience. The graduate programme at American Express really does help you develop yourself broadly, giving you wide ranging skills and great experience that will benefit you in anything you go on to do. I think one piece of advice would be – Get involved...The more diverse and extensive your experience, the better! |
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 | Rob Jameson
Finance
View Rob's Profile
Tell me about yourself.
I graduated from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in July 2004 with an Upper Second Class BSc Honours degree in Economics. I initially worked for Vauxhall Motors as a Financial Analyst before joining American Express in September 2005 as part of the Enterprise Risk and Assurance Services (ERAS) Internal Audit team. ERAS is a global group, with teams based in New York, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Singapore and the UK. I’ve since moved on to a Finance Analyst role in Global Commercial Card, based in London.
What do you do in your job?
As a Finance Analyst, I am responsible for the P&Ls for a total of 10 markets within EMEA. This means that I need to be able to provide value-added finance decision support to Global Commercial Card business leaders and their teams within the markets in order to achieve and exceed our team’s short-term and long-term financial, business and employee objectives. The role is an integral decision support role, providing information on aspects of financial, trend and profitability analysis as well as Profit and Loss forecasting. I have to partner with the business on all planning activities (long range plans, budget, forecasts) to ensure they are factually grounded and have business ownership. At month end, I analyse monthly P&L variances and provide in-depth commentary.
What do you enjoy about your job?
The best aspect of the job is that you get to learn so much about American Express and its core businesses. Since I have joined the company I have been involved in projects that have spanned across all the business lines and functional departments that Amex operates in. This provides a great insight into the business, and my first Audit role in particular provides a wonderful opportunity to take all of this onboard. Most people, when asked about American Express, will talk about the Credit Card business, but there is so much more to see and learn than that. In addition, I thrive on working with the Market Heads in developing and producing their financial forecast, and giving them an indication of how their financial performance is panning out.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my job has to be the communication aspect. Dealing with 10 different Market Heads and their teams, each with varying levels of knowledge of Finance processes and terminology, means that it can at times be very challenging to get the message across that we are trying to deliver. We need to ensure that we are fully explaining the financial forecasts and performance in a way that the markets can understand, whilst not dumbing down the information too much. However, the rewards of the partnership that we have in each market, far outweigh the challenges that are present.
What is your advice for people considering a career in Finance?
My advice to people considering a career in Finance is to always keep an open mind. Finance in American Express is very complex and is much more than number crunching. The Graduate Programme will allow you to see all of the different areas and aspects of the business and the role that Finance has to play in these functions. Once you have completed the programme you will have the choice of either continuing as an auditor or moving on into another area of the business. The skills and knowledge that you have learned whilst on the programme will prove invaluable at this stage and open up a lot of opportunities to progress into.
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 | Laura Seymour
Finance
View Laura's Profile
Tell me about yourself.
I graduated from Cardiff University in July 2006 with an Upper Second Class BSc Econ Honours degree in Accounting and Management. Before starting University I spent two years travelling, including a year living and working in Sydney. I joined American Express in September 2006 as part of the Finance Graduate Scheme, where I am based in Enterprise Risk and Assurance Services (ERAS), the Corporate Audit team.
What do you do in your job?
The role of the team is to provide assurance to the Board of Directors, Shareholders and Management that a good internal control system operates within all business areas throughout American Express. Part of my role as an Internal Auditor is to identify risks within the business units and determine whether controls exist to mitigate these risks.
More specifically we aim to provide assurance that policies and procedures are being followed and that we are in compliance with laws and regulations. We also make recommendations of how to conduct Company business in a more efficient and effective manner, and investigate unusual or irregular activities, including suspected and actual cases of internal fraud, theft or other impropriety.
ERAS is a global group, with teams based in New York, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Singapore and the UK. Our team in the UK focuses on all business areas throughout the whole of the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region so there is a lot of travel involved in the role.
What do you enjoy about your job?
The sheer diversity of the role. Working within ERAS gives you the opportunity to experience and learn about many different areas of American Express, as well as working with a wide range of people at all levels of the Company. Since joining I have been involved in audits of the Bank, Foreign Exchange Services, Joint Ventures, as well as the Card Business. The insight you gain into the business as a whole gives you a good grounding for your future within the Company.
The travel aspect is also a big plus to this job. Since joining the Company I have worked in locations such as New York, Paris, Rome and Brussels. Experiencing different cultures and work practices is an interesting and exciting experience.
However, what makes the job really enjoyable is the people I work with. The team is vibrant and talented. There is a strong team atmosphere and everyone is extremely helpful and welcoming.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of the job is delivering difficult messages related to control gaps or weaknesses to senior management. It is definitely a skill that takes time to develop. When you have to tell people in charge of a business unit that control weaknesses exist in their area it can be tricky, especially if they believe their area is working well. On the plus side, this does allow you to improve your communication and presentation skills as well as providing you with the opportunity to interact with senior management throughout the company.
The fact that this job is challenging makes it even more worthwhile and enjoyable. The feeling you get when you know you have worked hard to add value to the company is priceless.
What is your advice for people considering a career in Finance?
This is your career and you are in charge of it. At American Express there will be a lot of opportunities made available to you, from gaining professional qualifications to improving your skills through training to networking with colleagues. Make sure you make the most of these. If you remain positive and motivated a lot more opportunities will present themselves.
Don’t be scared to ask questions. There is a lot of information to learn about the Company and people will never expect you to know everything. You will be provided with a lot of support from your colleagues and mentors so utilise their experience and knowledge.
Finally, remain open minded. The Finance division in American Express is complex; gaining experience in different areas of the business through the Graduate Scheme will help you decide where you intend to focus your career in the future.
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