Global Commercial Services (GCS) is the global leader in payment solutions for Small, Medium (SME) and Global and Large (G&L) enterprises. The objective of the GCS Control Management Go to Market (GTM) / New Product Governance (NPG) team is to provide subject matter expertise on specific GTM / NPG to ensure the BU is equipped with in-depth knowledge of risk-stripes to manage and mitigate these risks effectively; supports the BU with expert guidance for topical Operational Risk intelligence.
The GCS Control Management Risk ID, Assessment, Testing and Reporting team is responsible for identifying, assessing, mitigating, and monitoring Risk to support our business partners in enabling innovation while maintaining a strong and effective control environment. We are seeking a Director – Change Risk Management & Governance (Control Management) to help shape and strengthen how risk is identified, governed, and managed across strategic business transformation initiatives. In this first-line risk management leadership role, you will partner closely with business, technology, and risk stakeholders across the enterprise to help ensure strategic change initiatives are implemented with strong governance, a customer focus, effective controls, and alignment to enterprise risk standards.
This is a highly visible leadership role offering the opportunity to shape and enhance change risk management frameworks, influence enterprise-wide governance practices, and help drive a proactive risk culture across a complex and evolving business environment. Success in this role requires strong operational risk expertise, executive presence, and the ability to lead cross-functional collaboration in support of business innovation. The ideal candidate brings strong operational risk expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead through collaboration, influence, and change.
Lead and develop a geographically distributed team responsible for overseeing change risk management and governance activities across Global Commercial Services (GCS)
Partner closely with business, technology, and enterprise risk stakeholders to support the successful execution of strategic initiatives within a strong and effective control environment
Drive the evolution and implementation of new change risk management frameworks, governance practices, and operating standards aligned with enterprise policies and regulatory expectations
Provide strategic guidance and credible challenge to business partners on operational risk impacts associated with new products, business processes, technologies, and transformation initiatives
Identify opportunities to strengthen controls, streamline governance processes, and enhance risk management practices to enable efficient and well-managed business growth
Lead cross-functional coordination across first-line and second-line teams to ensure effective risk identification, assessment, escalation, and resolution throughout the change lifecycle
Monitor emerging risks, regulatory developments, and industry trends to proactively enhance governance practices and risk mitigation strategies
Develop and maintain meaningful risk reporting, dashboards, and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) to support leadership decision-making and ongoing risk oversight
Champion a culture of proactive risk management, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organization aligned with American Express strategic risk direction
Support the development and enhancement of business unit procedures, standards, and controls by providing subject matter expertise and operational risk insight
6+ years of experience in operational risk management, control management, governance, internal audit, compliance, or related risk disciplines within the financial services industry
Demonstrated expertise in operational risk frameworks, including risk identification, assessment, control evaluation, issue management, and governance oversight
Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams across multiple geographies and diverse functional backgrounds
Strong experience partnering with senior business, technology, and risk leaders to influence decision-making and drive effective risk management outcomes
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance risk management discipline and business enablement
Experience supporting large-scale business transformation, change management, or strategic initiatives within a regulated environment
Strong understanding of governance practices, regulatory expectations, and enterprise risk management principles applicable to financial services organizations
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to provide credible challenge and build alignment across senior audiences
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while driving execution, accountability, and continuous improvement
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including experience leveraging risk metrics, reporting, and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) to support oversight and decision-making
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, Information Systems, Economics, Law, or a related field
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree and/or professional certifications such as MBA, JD, CIA, CRISC, CRM, PMP, ORM, or other relevant risk and governance certifications
Experience within large, complex financial services or highly regulated organizations with exposure to enterprise-scale risk management and governance programs
Strong understanding of operational risk, non-financial risk, control management, and regulatory governance frameworks
Experience in at least one of the following:
Designing, enhancing, or implementing risk assessment methodologies, governance frameworks, and control management practices
Identifying operational risk exposures across business processes, products, systems, and transformation initiatives
Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive alignment across business, technology, and risk management teams
Developing executive-level reporting, dashboards, and Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) to support effective risk oversight and decision-making
Providing identification of operational risks throughout business processes and systems
Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.
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.
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.
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