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.

International Card Services (ICS) Risk & Control is a newly expanded organization, responsible for supporting our international Issuing businesses across 28+ international markets excluding USA. Colleagues operate across a variety of geographies and disciplines ensuring a robust first line of defense, and in playing an active role in supporting the ICS Business and our International Legal Entities meet its growth objectives whilst demonstrating an effective control  framework. 

ICS Risk & Control organization helps our international businesses manage Third Party risk, Conduct program and respond to new regulation requirements whilst creating and nurturing effective partnerships across multiple key stakeholders.  The broader organization also leads an enterprise-wide International Financial Crimes Transformation program, First line privacy function and Control Management, Regulatory Change Management among others.

How will you make an impact in this role? 

The Third-Party Risk and European Banking Authority (EBA) Outsourcing Governance team operating within International Card Services (ICS) Risk & Control works with our international markets and regional Legal Entity Control Management teams to drive robust risk management, strong controls and identify risk prevention opportunities for third parties.  This includes identifying and managing risks and issues and analyzing and interpreting data and management information to develop and drive action to improve the control environment.

The ICS Risk & Control PMO & Transformation manager will report to the ICS Risk & Control Third-Party Risk and EBA Outsourcing Director. The manager will play a lead role in driving transformation and tracking progress derived from Enterprise initiatives impacting ICS Third Party risk management, or from ICS identified third party risk prevention opportunities. Primarily, the role will drive risk impact assessment, plan and coordinate implementation strategy, manage governance routines, and ensure documentation and reporting are sustainable, delivered accurately and on time and demonstrate compliance.

Whilst the role will be primarily assigned within the ICS Third-Party Risk and European Banking Authority (EBA) Outsourcing programs, there may be a requirement to support other operational risk programs and initiatives depending on priorities and demand.

The role requires strategic and holistic thinking, and strong project management skills to implement policy changes and manage risk in a way that adds value and minimizes impact to our customers and business.

This role will require extensive collaboration within our ICS business and with our partners and stakeholders including Operational Risk Governance Group (ORGG), Third Party Risk Management Lifecycle (TLM) teams, Legal, Compliance, Information Security, Internal Audit Group (IAG), AXP Affiliate Management, local outsourcing teams (where in place) as well as other Control Management teams.

Key responsibilities

Lead ICS transformation strategy design and project management coordination regarding Third Party risk management AEMP-10 policy changes and regulatory requirements for all ICS business and international legal entities. Lead by influence and collaborate closely with ICS Control Management, ICS business and leaders to ensure that AEMP-10 policy requirements, regulatory requirements and enterprise expectations are embedded in International Card Services Third Party risk management. Ensuring risks and issues are managed promptly and effectively, with appropriate escalation, root causes identified, and prevention plans to evidence ongoing risk mitigation and reduction. Developing & driving key strategic projects through inception to deployment Program Delivery Support: Track risk, issues, dependencies, milestones, timelines, and deliverables across all workstreams, maintaining the master delivery plan including managing and documenting changes to plan and timelines. Governance Coordination: Organize and support governance activities, including producing meeting packs, reporting, capturing actions, decisions, and escalations, also ensuring timely follow-ups. Leadership of other operational risk programs, projects or support other team activities as required as per capacity.

Minimum Qualifications 

Understanding of risk management principles and practices, with the ability to challenge the status quo. Conceptual thinking skills and ability to identify and implement solutions to achieve objectives and improve the final outcomes of the projects Ability to deal with ambiguity coupled with a strong will to win and a positive attitude Excellent English written and verbal communication skills to convey strategic insight and thought leadership in identifying emerging risk and to deliver high quality, actionable feedback to leadership, to effectively drive delivery. Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, highly complex environment and navigating between competing priorities and whilst accelerating program knowledge Excellent interpersonal skills including collaborating and proven ability to influence others without direct authority within a matrix organization, and at all band levels. Influential leader with excellent relationship management skills with a proven track record of positively collaborating and partnering with all stakeholders  Confidence in decision-making in complex and ambiguous situations; comfortable troubleshooting and aligning conflicting interests in a professional outcome-focused manner Proven experience in project management/coordination through to execution, with strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail. High degree of organization, individual initiative and personal accountability and resiliency. Experience in preparing materials and presenting them for senior stakeholders and committees Self-starter, self-driven and ability to work independently to problem solve An optimistic and growth mindset with a tremendous will to win as a team.  Passion, flexibility, sense of humor, and a positive attitude are key requirements to join a great team of professionals!

Preferred Qualifications

AEMP-10 policy, standards and TLM operational knowledge Familiarity working in a risk and control or regulatory environment is a plus. Broader knowledge of operational risk policies and programs is desirable. Language skills – Spanish, French, other - as this role will support international markets 

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

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.

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