At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational risk management and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Company: Join American Express, a leader in global financial services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative culture focused on growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on risk management strategies and governance.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in risk management, strong leadership, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
Description
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.
Colleagues at Global Risk & Compliance are passionate about our commitment to drive the Company’s goals of growth and progress by creating a culture of risk awareness and proactivity around regulatory matters.
The International CRO organization within Global Risk and Compliance (GRC) is responsible for identifying and managing risk across all processes and geographies at American Express.
Operational Risk Management (ORM) helps ensure that operational risks are identified, assessed, mitigated, monitored, reported and escalated in alignment with the Operational Risk Management Framework (ORMF), Enterprise policies and applicable regulatory expectations.
How will you make an impact in this role?
The ORM role – Senior Manager, UK Chief Risk Officer, Operational Risk Management (ORM), within the GRC organization, will support second line of defense oversight of operational risk for the UK legal entity and market.
We are seeking an experienced risk leader to be a part of this exciting journey.
The role will have a dual reporting line to the UK Chief Risk Officer (CRO) locally and the Enterprise ORM team, ensuring both local legal entity accountability and alignment with Enterprise ORM expectations.
The colleague will help interpret and apply the ORMF to the UK legal entity context, provide operational risk subject matter expertise, support governance and regulatory engagement, and develop insight into the operational risk profile of the legal entity using available risk data, reporting and business context.
The incumbent will support the UK CRO and the ORM Director in providing independent second line oversight of operational risk and strengthen the governance structure for our UK businesses.
Responsibilities
- Act as an operational risk subject matter expert, helping interpret and apply the ORMF, Enterprise expectations and core operational risk elements in a way that is proportionate to the UK legal entity context.
- Oversee and help articulate the operational risk profile of risk-generating activities relative to the overall risk profile of the legal entity.
- Provide risk-informed perspective and challenge on matters that could materially affect the legal entity operational risk profile, governance or regulatory position.
- Support operational risk reporting and governance materials at the level of detail appropriate to the audience and forum.
- Review issues and findings impacting ILE, and oversee effective remediation
- Own ILE Ops Risk Governance Documents, where required
- 2nd Line oversight lead for ILE Regulatory Change Management relating to Ops Risk.
- Participate in the Risk Appetite Framework (RAF) refresh process and seek to align International Legal Entities (ILE) Ops Risk metrics with Enterprise (as far as possible)
- Act as the main point of contact for Operational Risk for regulators, Audit and local Leadership
- Act as the Operational Risk representative on any LE-specific risk management committee, and point of contact for Operational Risk at LE board meetings (as required)
- Help identify emerging operational risks, themes or areas requiring further management attention, action, or escalation for the ILE
- Partner with local stakeholders to support consistent interpretation of requirements and effective alignment between legal entity and Enterprise expectations.
- Coordinate with Enterprise Risk Lead on 2nd Line testing, and/or support ILE Risk Type testing & provide output of ILE testing to Enterprise for awareness and risk aggregation
- Ensure appropriate communication of risks between the ILE and Enterprise
- Support the ILE CRO in their oversight duties aligned to the Risk Governance Framework and applicable policies
- Work with the Enterprise team to develop the LE metrics dashboard, including RAF metrics, aligned with applicable regulations
- Support operational risk reporting materials and dashboards, and governance materials at the level of detail appropriate to the audience and forum.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- 8+ years of leadership experience in risk management or a similar role;
- Strong business acumen with a risk-reward control perspective;
- Experience in interacting with regulators and familiarity with UK’s regulatory landscape and requirements;
- Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple priorities under pressure;
- Fluency in English (verbal and written);
- Degree in business, economics, engineering, law, risk management or a related field is preferred.
Leadership Skills
- Proven leader who can build, inspire, and coach a team with a passion for the business;
- Excellent relationship and influencing skills with the ability to build productive relationships across teams and levels of seniority;
- Self-confident with a strong sense of integrity and the ability and willingness to challenge and be challenged;
- Proactive in identifying issues, delivering and escalating key findings, and advising on recommended solutions to correct issues or mitigate risks;
- Ability to communicate oversight findings to colleagues, business partners, and senior leaders;
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the UK is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.
Senior Manager, UK Chief Risk Officer, Operational Risk Management in London employer: American Express
American Express is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, empowering employees to thrive in their careers. With a strong commitment to holistic well-being, the company offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and flexible working arrangements, ensuring that team members can balance their personal and professional lives effectively. The opportunity for career development and mentorship within a globally recognised financial services leader makes American Express an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the heart of the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager, UK Chief Risk Officer, Operational Risk Management in London
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like American Express looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager, UK Chief Risk Officer, Operational Risk Management in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at American Express. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at American Express
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with American Express’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
