The Global Risk & Compliance Organization (“GRC”) independently oversees the company’s risk-taking and risk management activities, including the comprehensive identification, management, and mitigation of risks within the Company’s risk appetite. GRC ensures the company operates in a safe, sound and fully compliant manner within all applicable regulatory expectations. We create and maintain the overall risk management framework while ensuring legal and regulatory compliance. Our culture in Global Risk & Compliance is all about thinking outside the box, challenging the status quo and striving to be best-in-class.
We are passionate about our commitment to drive the company’s goals of growth and progress by creating a culture of awareness and proactivity around regulatory matters, and by engaging closely with business units across the enterprise to ensure we deliver maximum value to our shareholders and our customers efficiently and effectively.
We are seeking a highly experienced Vice President to join our Enterprise Risk Management and Risk Oversight (ERM&RO) function within GRC and lead our Global Financial Crimes Compliance (“GFCC”) Investigations Capabilities team. This role will focus on supporting and enhancing systems, technology, and capabilities that enable effective financial crime investigations. This position will be integral in ensuring our financial crime compliance infrastructure remains robust, scalable, and aligned with regulatory expectations across all jurisdictions in which we operate. The successful candidate will work closely with key stakeholders in GRC, Technology, Global Servicing, and Business Unit teams to provide subject-matter expertise and oversight related to the systems supporting Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF), Sanctions, Anti-Bribery & Corruption (ABC), and fraud programs.
Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the U.S is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions
Responsibilities- Define and own the product strategy for Financial Crimes Investigation solutions, aligned with enterprise risk appetite and regulatory frameworks.
- Act as a subject matter expert on financial crimes investigations systems and capabilities.
- Provide oversight and compliance input into the design, development, testing, and implementation of system enhancements and new capabilities.
- Support strategic initiatives to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability of financial crimes systems and data analytics.
- Partner with the Technology organization to ensure appropriate governance and control frameworks are in place for systems used in financial crimes compliance.
- Monitor industry and regulatory developments related to financial crime technology and assess impact on internal systems and controls.
- Participate in internal governance forums and working groups related to financial crime system change and operations.
- Assist in regulatory exams and internal audits related to financial crime systems and capabilities.
- Support global consistency in system governance, processes, and documentation across regions and business units.
- Lead a global team of product managers, analysts, and domain experts.
- Partner with engineering, data science, compliance, and operations to deliver scalable, resilient, and user-centric solutions.
- Collaborate with business units, compliance officers, and technology leaders to understand needs and deliver value.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, information systems or related fields. An advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in computer science, engineering, information systems, management technology, or an MBA is preferred
- Experience leading implementation and ongoing support of industry-leading platforms
- 15+ years of Product Management (or equivalent) experience. Must have experience in large platform implementation from ideation to rollout
- Strong background in the Product discipline - Business case creation, roadmaps, prioritization etc. Ability to translate business requirements into technical platform capabilities, roadmaps, solution architectures, and data domains
- Deep understanding of AML/CTF, sanctions, KYC/CDD, and fraud typologies
- Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks (e.g., FinCEN, FCA, MAS, HKMA)
- Proven track record of leading complex product portfolios in a global, regulated environment
- Experience in following areas: definition and design of business, functional and technical requirements; system selection and implementation support; Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC); Quality Assurance and testing (QA); program/project management and implementation planning (PMO)
- Good understanding of key risk frameworks such as Risk and Control Self-Assessment (RCSA), risk tolerance and appetite management, control monitoring and testing, risk and performance metrics, issue management, regulatory change management, automated workflows, reporting etc.
- Experience in risk domains such as Global Financial Crimes Compliance, Operational Risk, Consumer Compliance, IT/IS risk, Privacy Risk, Third Party Risk, Conduct Risk, etc
- Experience with system and application architecture, data integration, and analytics. Strong foundation in establishing data models (taxonomies and ontologies) for risk management
- Experience working with regulators like OCC, CFPB and FRB
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, at all levels of the organization, effectively leveraging storytelling to drive understanding & alignment
- Demonstrated ability to think critically and challenge the status quo
- Experience as people leader with ability to lead global teams
- Proven success working in a matrix environment
- CAMS, CFCS, or equivalent certification is a plus
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
- 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 in computer science, engineering, information systems, or related field
- Advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D., or MBA)
- 15+ years of Product Management (or equivalent) experience
- Experience leading large platform implementations from ideation to rollout
- Proven product discipline: business case creation, roadmaps, prioritization
- Ability to translate business requirements into technical platform capabilities, solution architectures, and data domains
- Deep understanding of AML/CTF, sanctions, KYC/CDD, and fraud typologies
- Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks (e.g., FinCEN, FCA, MAS, HKMA)
- Experience with system selection, SDLC, QA/testing, program/project management, and PMO
- Understanding of risk frameworks (RCSA, risk appetite, control monitoring, metrics, regulatory change management)
- Experience with system and application architecture, data integration, analytics, and data models/taxonomies
- Experience working with regulators such as OCC, CFPB, and FRB
- Proven ability to lead global teams and operate in a matrix environment
- Strong verbal and written communication and stakeholder storytelling skills
- CAMS, CFCS, or equivalent certification
- Authorization to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
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.
