Job 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.

Reporting to the Senior Manager for Program Governance, this role sits within the EMEA Regional Financial Crimes Organization under Global Financial Crimes Compliance (GFCC). The role is accountable for driving the governance and oversight of the EMEA Financial Crimes Compliance Programme (Anti-Money Laundering, Sanctions, and Anti-Corruption), ensuring that frameworks, systems, controls, and procedures are effectively designed, implemented, and aligned with Enterprise standards, Legal Entity policies, and local regulatory requirements.

How will you make an impact in this role?

This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead key Financial Crimes Compliance governance initiatives in a dynamic environment, driving compliance excellence and contributing to the integrity of financial systems.

Role Includes:

• Audit Management – Drive and continuously enhance the audit management framework, working collaboratively with key stakeholders on the management of internal and external audits. Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of internal and external audits, ensuring timely delivery, robust challenge, and accountability of GFCC data.

• Regulatory Interactions – Support regulatory interactions across the EMEA Financial Crimes programme. Coordinate GFCC responses to regulatory exams, audits, and inquiries, ensuring clear, consistent, and well-governed communication.

• Regulatory Reporting – Own and execute delivery of MLRO-related regulatory reporting. Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness by overseeing collaboration with Regulatory Reporting teams, MCOs/LECOs (Market Compliance Officers/Legal Entity Compliance Officers), LOBCO (Line of Business Compliance Officers), and First Line teams.

• Issue Management – Drive a robust issue management framework covering issue and events. Oversee tracking, reporting, and remediation, holding stakeholders accountable and escalating risks where required.

• Risk Assessments – Steer the delivery of Money Laundering, Sanctions, and Terrorist Financing risk assessments across markets and legal entities. Ensure methodologies are effectively designed and executed in partnership with the Risk Management Office (RMO) and MCOs/LECOs.

• Reporting – Lead the delivery of consistent, high-quality Financial Crimes reporting across regions and legal entities. Ensure reporting provides clear, actionable insights for senior stakeholders and governance forums.

• Data Analysis and Validation – Govern the review, analysis, and validation of complex data sets to support regulatory and internal reporting. Drive improvements in data quality, governance, and control effectiveness.

• Effective Challenge and Accountability – Act as a senior governance authority providing effective challenge to both First and Second Line of Defence. Hold stakeholders accountable for risk management practices, ensuring appropriate escalation and resolution of key risks.

• University Degree. Extensive knowledge of payment services and AML/CTF regulations.

• A minimum of 7+ years of compliance related work experience in an EU bank and/or non-bank financial services industry

• Experience in payments industry regulation laws

• 7+ Years of experience in AML/CFT regulatory compliance withing financial services industry firm.

• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT regulatory framework in Europe and Spain.

• Ability to interpret the regulatory requirements, guidance and developments on the AML/CFT field.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and experience with evaluate risk scenarios effectively.

• Expertise in communicate regulatory implications to a range of audiences.

• Strong interpersonal, organizational and time management skills. Must be able to manage completing priorities under demanding deadlines.

  
  Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the UK 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.