Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated and knowledgeable First Line of Defense (1LOD) Financial Crimes Manager 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. The role will lead the identification, assessment, and mitigation of financial crime risks—such as money laundering, fraud, bribery, and sanctions violations—within the business. This role serves as the first point of contact within the business for financial crimes risk matters and works in close coordination with compliance partners in the second line of defense to ensure adherence to all applicable laws and internal policies. The ideal candidate has strong regulatory knowledge, a process mindset, and the ability to translate risk concepts into practical actions.

Team Responsibilities:

• Provide business-specific compliance expertise to GCS, with a focus on Financial Crime regulatory compliance.

• Provide consultation on new product initiatives and business projects

• Provide Global Financial Crimes Compliance (GFCC) program with business details required to support execution of GFCC risk assessments

• Ensure financial crimes risks within GCS are well understood and addressed, escalating promptly to senior management as needed

• Develop compliance metrics tracking and reporting for GCS

• Act as a financial crime compliance risk advisor to 1LOD GCS teams, helping them to understand and comply with applicable regulatory obligations.
• Support the development and maintenance of financial crimes risk assessments and controls aligned with enterprise policy and regulatory expectations.
• Partner with business leadership to embed financial crime risk management into day-to-day operations, new product development, and client onboarding.
• Lead or support investigations of suspicious activity, coordinating with AML and fraud investigation teams.
• Monitor and report on financial crimes risk indicators, emerging threats, and control effectiveness to business and risk leadership.
• Escalate and support remediation of control issues or potential violations in partnership with compliance, legal, and audit functions.
• Support internal and regulatory exams, audits, and inquiries related to financial crimes.
• Coordinate financial crimes training and awareness programs for front-line staff.
• Collaborate with 2LOD Compliance and Legal teams on policy interpretation, regulatory change implementation, and incident response.
• Ensure detailed documentation and records are maintained to demonstrate compliance with regulatory and internal standards.

• 3+ years of experience in AML, financial crimes compliance, fraud risk, or business risk roles within a financial institution.
• Strong understanding of BSA/AML, OFAC, and anti-bribery and corruption regulations.

• Proven ability to assess risk, implement controls, and collaborate across functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, criminal justice, business administration, or a related field.
• CAMS, CFE, or similar professional certification.
• Experience working in a first line of defense or business control function.
• Familiarity with financial crime risk framework and processes.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Sound judgment and decision-making under pressure.
• Ability to influence and educate business partners on risk concepts.
• Skilled in project management and working in a matrixed organization.

Guardian

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.