The Sanctions Analyst will assist with OFAC/Sanctions activities to ensure American Express’ activities meet all applicable regulatory requirements and standard industry practices. The Sanctions Analyst will develop a deep understanding of American Express products, services, customers, entities, and geographic locations to effectively mitigate sanctions-related risks.
ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Serve as the primary escalation point for enterprise-wide escalations of likely sanctions matches.
· Track all escalations sent to Global Sanctions (via Bridger & sanctions email) for review, ensuring SLA thresholds are met.
· Analyze and make decisions on all screening alerts escalated for Global Sanctions for review in Bridger.
· Update match metrics tracking
· Compile and edit Enterprise Wide Internal Watchlist entries
· Complete investigations for all incremental sanctions oversight processes (IP, CADENCE, Brand Protection output, etc.).
· Partner with MCOs/LOBCOs to identify card member information and appropriately action accounts.
· BTL (Below the Line) testing
· Investigate & track account closures, conduct additional account and spend analysis, block funds, & report to OFAC as required
· Oversee business and compliance inventory SLAs.
· Provide business and compliance alert adjudication support.
· Support enterprise inventory reporting.
· Support match metrics reporting
· Provide subject matter expertise regarding Sanctions and PEP regulations.
· Identify regulatory OFAC/Sanctions compliance issues/concerns and make suggestions and/or take corrective actions to implement solutions to improve controls/operations.
· Investigate apparent breaches of regulation/compliance standards, make recommendations as appropriate, and execute implementation of corrective measures.
· Review and analyze OFAC/Sanctions inquiries and potential hits.
· Prepare OFAC block and reject reports.
· Investigate all AML (GAITS) referrals when sanctions concerns are identified.
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in Business, Finance, Criminal Justice, Risk Management, or a related field.
- 1–3 years of experience in sanctions compliance, AML, financial crimes, compliance, risk management, or investigations within a financial institution or regulated environment.
- Basic understanding of U.S. sanctions regulations (OFAC) and global sanctions frameworks.
- Experience conducting investigations, analyzing complex information, and making risk-based decisions.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document investigative findings.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established service level agreements (SLAs).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and other Microsoft Office applications.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting sanctions screening, alert adjudication, or sanctions investigations.
- Knowledge of OFAC regulations, sanctions screening processes, and sanctions compliance best practices.
- Experience with sanctions screening platforms (e.g., Bridger Insight, FircoSoft, Oracle Mantas, Actimize, or similar tools).
- Experience working with internal watchlists, sanctions reporting, or regulatory reporting obligations (e.g., OFAC blocking and rejection reports).
- Ability to interpret regulatory guidance and apply it to investigative decision-making.
- Experience partnering with cross-functional stakeholders, including Compliance, Legal, Operations, and Business teams.
- Experience identifying process improvement opportunities and enhancing operational controls.
- Relevant professional certifications such as CAMS, CGSS, or ACFCS are a plus.
Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.
About UsAt 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.
About the TeamWe 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in Business, Finance, Criminal Justice, Risk Management, or a related field
- 1-3 years of experience in sanctions compliance, AML, financial crimes, compliance, risk management, or investigations within a financial institution or regulated environment
- Basic understanding of U.S. sanctions regulations, including OFAC, and global sanctions frameworks
- Experience conducting investigations, analyzing complex information, and making risk-based decisions
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document investigative findings clearly
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and meet SLAs
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and other Microsoft Office applications
- Experience supporting sanctions screening, alert adjudication, or sanctions investigations
- Knowledge of OFAC regulations, sanctions screening processes, and sanctions compliance best practices
- Experience with sanctions screening platforms such as Bridger Insight, FircoSoft, Oracle Mantas, Actimize, or similar tools
- Experience with internal watchlists, sanctions reporting, or regulatory reporting obligations
- Ability to interpret regulatory guidance and apply it to investigative decision-making
- Experience partnering with Compliance, Legal, Operations, and Business stakeholders
- Experience identifying process improvement opportunities and enhancing operational controls
- Relevant professional certification such as CAMS, CGSS, or ACFCS
American Express Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about American Express and has not been reviewed or approved by American Express.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage and wellness resources are broad, combining comprehensive medical, dental, and vision with mental-health support and virtual care. These offerings are cited as a core strength of the overall package.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave for all parents, backup childcare, eldercare support, and adoption or fertility assistance create a family-forward package. These resources are viewed as generous and practical for caregivers.
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Retirement Support — A competitive 401(k) match alongside options like profit sharing, stock bonuses, and pension or retirement savings plans strengthens long-term security. Retirement programs are positioned as a meaningful complement to base pay.
American Express Insights
What We Do
At American Express, we know that with the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. Whether we’re supporting our customers’ financial confidence to move ahead, taking commerce to new heights, or encouraging people to explore the world, our colleagues are constantly striving to uphold our powerful backing promise to our customers and each other every day. These beliefs have been our North Star for 170 years as our business transformed – from helping evacuate travelers during World Wars, to ensuring the safety of our customers’ funds during the Great Depression in the U.S., to creating the Shop Small® movement to help small businesses recover from the Financial Crisis, to providing aid to communities impacted by many natural disasters and so much more. For generations, the key to our success has been the determination and resilience of our American Express colleagues. Now, as a globally integrated payments company, we work together to provide customers with access to products, insights and world-class experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Join us and let’s lead the way together.
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