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 will you 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.
The Director– Financial Crimes will:
Consult on the design and implementation of controls tailored to specialized risk areas including Financial Crime and Compliance, with input in broader areas of operational risk.
Ensure all activities & guidance provided to BU are in alignment with standards set by centralized specialist risk-stripe teams.
Comply with enterprise policies and programs pertaining to specific risk types (e.g., Conduct Risk Management policy), and support with design/ enhancement of BU procedures /standards.
Maintain awareness and understanding of emerging trends, best practices, and regulatory updates relevant to operational risks and share this with BU process owners.
Support with the design and dissemination of targeted training and awareness programs to increase understanding and management of specific risk topics within GMNS.
Key Responsibilities:
Serve as the primary financial crime risk leader within the business, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.
Design and implement financial crime risk frameworks, 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.
Qualifications:
Required:
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:
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.
Guardian
ORMCM
The job posting is for an existing vacancy.
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
American Express is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible work environment in which all people who apply for positions or who work for or on behalf of Amex are treated with dignity and respect and are provided with equal treatment with respect to employment, regardless of that person's age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, colour, ancestry, ethnic or national origin, citizenship, religion or creed, marital status, family status, pregnancy, disability, record of offences, social condition or origin, political beliefs, association or activity or other factors prohibited under applicable Human Rights legislation (the “Prohibited Grounds”). If you have a disability and need accommodation, please speak with the Recruiter for more information.
Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.
