Director, Financial Crimes Risk & Controls Transformation & Governance

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. As part of Team Amex, you'll experience this 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.

As a brand built on going above and beyond to provide the best customer experience, having the most exceptional colleagues is paramount. As the face of the company, you can create positive interactions with our customers every day–from curating a unique travel or lifestyle experience to helping them with their everyday needs. And, you can grow your skills through industry-leading training and ongoing coaching, all while learning what it means to continually set the standard for world class, customer-first service. Find your place in service on #TeamAmex.

Team Description

The newly created first line of defense Financial Crimes Risk & Controls center of excellence will provide a holistic, enterprise-wide approach to our financial crimes risk management (FCRM) activities and will reside within Global Servicing. 

This team will be responsible for establishing a robust control foundation for first line of defense FCRM activities across the company globally, including anti-money laundering, sanctions, payments controls, and anti-corruption. The team will partner closely with Technology to develop and deploy next generation capabilities that address key gaps and strengthen the first line’s ability to detect and prevent financial crimes across our lines of business. The team will work in coordination with the Global Financial Crimes Compliance (GFCC) team within the Global Risk & Compliance organization.

Job Responsibilities

The Director, Financial Crime Risk & Controls Transformation is responsible for driving workstreams that enhance the Enterprise’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to financial crime (often through processes, technology, and governance improvements).

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Support the creation and management of a multi-year roadmap across multiple workstreams to drive Financial Crimes transformation for individuals (e.g. Card members, supps, corporate card members etc.) with initial focus on USCS and US-GCS.
• Partner closely with GFCC, 1st Line Business Unit Teams, and other 2LOD Global Risk and Compliance groups to implement financial crime risk management frameworks for Individuals across all lines of business and products.
• Support the creation and maintenance of 1LOD financial crimes governance structures, control mapping, and facilitate the completion of relevant testing and training while partnering with business unit teams.
• Support the execution of the Guardian plan for financial crimes risk with focus on Governance, Standard operationalization with focus on individuals.
• Develop reporting to measure overall program health and proactive issue management; proactively drive recurring communications and executive materials creation to ensure transparency and collective understanding.
• Partner with 1st line of defense product & capabilities and data governance team to support building the future state financial tools and capabilities.
• Ensure robust change management around managing compliance with financial crime regulations by reviewing and challenging controls across the organization and building external perspective.

This role is critical for AXP to remain compliant with evolving regulations and emerging threats and internal GFCC policy and building best in class financial crime controls and frameworks

Key Skills Required:

• Prior experience in transformation and program management with strong understanding of governance, target operating models, and control frameworks.
• Experience in leading multi-year strategic programs that cut across multiple cross-functional/Business Unit teams to accelerate strategic alignment and drive business, customer, and regulatory outcomes.
• Proven ability to analyze complex processes to find and drive innovative solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to self-start, carve opportunities out of white space, define a strategic vision, and drive results with a high degree of independence.
• Proven ability to think strategically and lead and oversee large-scale, cross functional strategic initiatives.
• History of high performance with demonstrated adaptability to excel in a fast-paced environment, adjust to shifting priorities, and manage others through change.
• Excellent communication, and interpersonal skills, with an ability to interact and obtain buy-in from senior BU/tech counterparts.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude in the face of challenges.
• 8+ years of relevant work experience

Salary Range: $123,000.00 to $215,250.00 annually + bonus + equity (if applicable) + benefits

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.

We back you with benefits that support your holistic well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:

• 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 with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need 
• 20+ weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy 
• Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location) 
• Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program 
• Career development and training opportunities

For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site.

American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. American Express will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For positions covered by federal and/or state banking regulations, American Express will comply with such regulations as it relates to the consideration of applicants with criminal convictions.

We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That's why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually.

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