The Global Risk & Compliance (GRC) organization serves as American Express’ independent risk management function. GRC maintains the enterprise risk framework, provides oversight and challenge, and monitors key risks. By embedding risk discipline into strategy and operations, GRC enables responsible growth, innovation, and long-term value creation while protecting customers and shareholders.
American Express’s Global Financial Crimes Surveillance Unit (GFCSU) and the US Investigations Unit (USIU) are part of the broader Global Risk & Compliance organization, operating within Global Financial Crimes Compliance (GFCC). Together, they provide end-to-end oversight and support of global financial crimes investigations. In partnership with GFCC, GFCSU and USIU develop and implement transaction monitoring rules, reports, and other tools to detect potential criminal activity. They investigate suspicious financial behavior and, when necessary, file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) or refer cases to internal compliance partners for global reporting. These teams also manage risk related to politically exposed persons (PEPs) through sanctions screening and enhanced due diligence processes, as well as improper payments that may signal bribery, corruption, or other illicit conduct. GFCSU and USIU play a vital role in ensuring compliance with key regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. They also support law enforcement by providing critical information to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, credit card fraud, identity theft, and other financial crimes.
In partnership with GFCC, GFCSU and USIU develop and implement transaction monitoring rules, reports, and other tools to detect potential criminal activity. They investigate suspicious financial behavior and, when necessary, file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) or refer cases to internal compliance partners for global reporting. These teams also manage risk related to politically exposed persons (PEPs) through sanctions screening and enhanced due diligence processes, as well as improper payments that may signal bribery, corruption, or other illicit conduct. GFCSU and USIU play a vital role in ensuring compliance with key regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. They also support law enforcement by providing critical information to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, credit card fraud, identity theft, and other financial crimes.
The successful candidate will work in our hub in Spain to mitigate risk to the American Express enterprise through research and analysis of financial activity for suspicious patterns along with the review of records. Candidates must be flexible and willing to change responsibilities to meet business needs, should be comfortable reading and reviewing records from multiple jurisdictions, and be able to work with various teams across American Express, including international Market Compliance Officers, line of business representatives, and project teams, among others.
Responsibilities- Conduct time-sensitive, meticulous financial crime investigations, analyzing each instance of potential suspicious financial activity across multiple jurisdictions and countries, utilizing a wide variety of research and analytical tools.
- Demonstrate a keen attention to detail in investigation, analysis, and writing.
- Produce well-written reports detailing and analyzing potentially suspicious activity.
- Ability to pivot smoothly between the different GFCSU workflows: AML, EDD, Screening and Anti-Corruption.
- Meet performance expectations: productivity and quality goals.
- Compliance with SLAs.
- To develop and maintain an adequate knowledge of the financial crime environment.
- Build strong relationships with strategic partners across to ensure effective coordination of investigations.
Minimum Qualifications
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience
- Fluency in English (spoken and written).
- Microsoft Excel proficiency.
- Proven ability to work with and analyze large amounts of data in order to report critical information.
- Effective communication and excellent writing skills.
- High level of professionalism, self-motivation, and sense of urgency.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of languages other than English would be a plus.
- Certification in Compliance, AML or Financial Crime related fields.
- Experience working in KYC, Transaction monitoring, Sanctions or EDD departments.
- Highly preferred bachelor’s degree (or equivalent). Ideally in one of the following, or similar, fields of study: Law, Justice Studies, Criminology, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Accounting, or Government & Public Services,
- Knowledge of data processing and visualization, dashboarding and reporting, process automation and optimization.
Employment eligibility to work with American Express in Spain is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.
About Us
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.
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
- Support for financial-well-being and retirement
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location)
- Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
- Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location)
- 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
Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.
Skills Required
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience
- Fluency in English, spoken and written
- Microsoft Excel proficiency
- Proven ability to work with and analyze large amounts of data
- Effective communication and excellent writing skills
- High level of professionalism, self-motivation, and sense of urgency
- Employment eligibility to work in Spain (no visa sponsorship will be provided)
- Knowledge of languages other than English
- Certification in Compliance, AML or Financial Crime related fields
- Experience working in KYC, Transaction Monitoring, Sanctions or EDD departments
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent (ideally in Law, Criminology, Business, Finance, Economics, Accounting, or similar)
- Knowledge of data processing and visualization, dashboarding and reporting, process automation and optimization
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 — Pay is often viewed as attractive when combined with comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage that supports day-to-day needs. The benefits package is also framed as especially helpful for those supporting dependents.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are positioned as a meaningful part of total rewards through a 401(k) plan with company matching. Financial wellness services and coaching are also highlighted as strengthening longer-term financial security.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off is repeatedly characterized as generous and a valued component of the overall package. Time off and flexibility are presented as helping the total rewards feel more complete beyond base salary.
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.
