Financial Crimes Director

This job is with American Express, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

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.

How you will make an impact in this role?

Global Merchant & Network Services (GMNS) brings together American Express' merchant-and network related businesses to enable a sharp focus on using the power of our network to provide unique value to all our mutual customers. The organization manages the relationships with the millions of merchants around the world that accepts American Express and runs the company’s payment network and manages bank partnerships globally.

GMNS is looking for an experienced Director– Financial Crimes to lead a diverse team of high-performing professionals focused on ensuring risk and control management is embedded in the day-to-day operations of our organization. This first-line role will involve extensive collaboration with partners across business units, functional areas, and geographies.  This role will lead the execution of financial crime risk management within the business unit and is accountable for ensuring the business maintains a strong control environment to prevent, detect, and respond to financial crimes—including anti-money laundering (AML), sanctions, fraud, and anti-bribery and corruption (ABC). The ideal candidate brings deep subject matter expertise and a pragmatic, partnership-driven approach to risk management.

Program Governance:

• Support the development and maintenance of an overall 1st line of defense GMNS Financial Crime Risk Framework inclusive of risk appetite, monitoring metrics, minimum end-to-end control requirements and governance expectations. 
• Actively support the effective governance of 1st line Financial Crime risk for GMNS Business Units 
• Monitor developments in both Global Financial Crime Standards and regulatory requirements, and support the translation of these into business unit processes, procedures and controls.
• Provide complete, accurate, and timely information to GFCC where escalations are required. 

Controls & Issue Management:

• Support the GMNS Business Units in the design and implementation of testable controls to mitigate risks for the relevant Business Units. 
• Support business units with the resolution of issues impacting Financial Crime Risk and advise on appropriate remediation solutions in line with financial crime, risk standards and risk appetite. 

Advisory:

• Monitor Industry developments and leverage these to inform pro-active actions within the GMNS business to support effective Financial Crime risk management. 
• Provide Financial Crime Risk consultation on new product initiatives, regulatory change, third party management and Risk Control Self-Assessment (RCSA). 
• Provide GFCC program with business details required to support execution of enterprise GFCC risk assessments
• Act as a key escalation point for key Financial Crime risk decisions for GMNS Senior Management. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a key primary financial crime risk leader within the business, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.
• Design and implement financial crime risk frameworks and monitor execution of processes and controls across the business unit.
• Partner with front-office and operational leaders to integrate financial crime prevention into customer lifecycle processes (onboarding, monitoring, escalation, exit).
• Conduct ongoing risk assessments and oversee issue management, including control testing and remediation of identified gaps.
• Lead business readiness for regulatory examinations, audits, and independent reviews focused on financial crimes.
• Consult with second line Global Financial Crimes Compliance (GFCC) teams to interpret regulatory guidance and ensure business alignment with enterprise standards.
• Monitor key risk indicators (KRIs) and report financial crime risk trends and metrics to senior leadership.
• Champion a strong risk culture by delivering targeted training and awareness initiatives across the business.
• Lead or participate in investigations or events involving suspicious activity, sanctions exposure, or internal fraud.
• Manage and mentor a small team (as applicable), driving accountability and performance excellence.

Minimum qualifications:

• 7–10+ years of experience in financial crimes compliance, risk management, or business control roles within the financial services industry.
• In-depth knowledge of BSA/AML, sanctions (OFAC), FCPA, and anti-fraud regulations and best practices.
• Demonstrated experience working in a first line of defense or business-aligned control function.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a hands-on, solutions-oriented mindset.

Preferred qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MBA, JD, or similar). Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, law, or related field.
• Professional certifications such as CAMS, CFE, CFCS, or equivalent.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives or change management efforts in a complex organization.

Key Competencies:

• Leadership
• Risk assessment and control design expertise
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strategic thinking with strong execution capabilities
• Proven ability to operate in a matrixed, fast-paced environment

ORMCM

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 
• 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.

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