Director, Global Merchant & Network Services - Operational Risk

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.

The Global Risk & Compliance Organization is an independent risk management function, led by the Chief Risk Officer, with the objective of ensuring that American Express operates in a safe, sound, and fully compliant manner with all applicable regulatory expectations. Global Risk & Compliance creates and maintains the overall risk management framework, performs independent risk management assessments, and monitors applicable risks. 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 Operational Risk Management (ORM) team facilitates and monitors the implementation of effective operational risk management programs throughout the company, and oversees risk ownership throughout business units, products, and processes. The objective of the ORM Governance team is to develop, oversee and strengthen the organization’s ORM framework to ensure that governance structures, policies, and procedures are robust, effective, and align with regulatory requirements and best practices.

The Global Merchant & Network Services brings together American Express' merchant-and network-related businesses. This includes Global Merchant Services, which manages the relationships with the millions of merchants around the world that accept American Express; Global Loyalty Coalition which includes the international rewards programs; and Global Network Services, which brings together Global Network Partnerships, Network Solutions & Operations.

The ORM organization is looking for a Director, Global Merchant & Network Services - Operational Risk to join a diverse team of high-performing individuals focused on the effective oversight of risk identification, assessment, and mitigation across the Business Unit, while maintaining alignment with the organization’s enterprise risk management framework.

Reporting directly to the VP, Operational Risk Officer, this role plays a critical part in assessing, monitoring, and challenging the first line’s risk management practices. The ideal candidate will work closely with first-line stakeholders and enterprise risk functions to provide independent oversight and challenge, ensuring that risks are managed effectively and in compliance with regulatory expectations.

The Director, Global Merchant & Network Services Operational Risk will:

• Assess and challenge first-line risk identification, assessment, and mitigation efforts (i.e., Risk & Control Self-Assessment) within Global Merchant & Network Services to ensure alignment with enterprise risk standards
• Analyze business processes and activities to identify potential risks, control gaps, and emerging risks
• Support the development and refinement of risk policies, standards, and procedures
• Assist in applying the enterprise risk management framework across Global Merchant & Network Services
• Support Global Merchant & Network Services in embedding risk management practices into daily operations and decision-making
• Track and analyze key risk indicators (KRIs), providing insights into risk trends and areas requiring attention
• Contribute to risk reporting efforts, preparing materials for senior management, risk committees, and regulatory engagements
• Maintain an understanding of relevant regulations and industry expectations to help the business navigate compliance requirement
• Participate in risk governance forums, working groups, and committee meetings, providing input on risk topics
• Conduct risk assessments, scenario analyses, and deep dives to evaluate the effectiveness of existing controls
• Act as a key risk oversight to the first line, providing guidance on risk identification, control enhancements, and remediation efforts
• Support risk awareness initiatives by contributing to training sessions and risk culture programs
• Monitor risk-related issues, ensuring they are appropriately addressed
• Escalate significant risk concerns and control deficiencies to senior risk colleagues and relevant stakeholders

Qualifications:

• Experience in risk management, preferably within a second-line function in financial services, and understands critical risk management lifecycle activities
• Knowledge of risk management frameworks, regulatory environments, and industry best practice
• Proven ability to assess and challenge first-line risk practices independently
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to translate complex risk concepts into actionable insights
• Demonstrated history and ability to build productive partnerships and influence stakeholders across the organization
• Strong understanding of operational and regulatory risks
• Proficiency in risk management tools, data analysis, and reporting systems
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with a focus on actionable insights
• Detail-oriented and proactive, with strong prioritization skills in a dynamic environment
• High ethical standards and a commitment to integrity and accountability
• Knowledge of merchant and network services

ORMCM

Annual Range: $130,000.00 to $225,000.00 annually + bonus + equity (if applicable) + benefits

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.

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
• 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.

American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. American Express will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For positions covered by federal and/or state banking regulations, American Express will comply with such regulations as it relates to the consideration of applicants with criminal convictions.

We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That's why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually.

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Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.