Director-Compliance Global Sanctions

The Director, Global Sanctions leads the enterprise team dedicated to the maintenance and ongoing development of all aspects of the enterprise sanctions compliance program to ensure American Express business activities meet all applicable regulatory requirements and standard industry practices. The Director should have an understanding of American Express products, services, customers, entities, and geographic locations to effectively mitigate sanctions-related risks.

The team is currently comprised of 2 Directors, 2 Senior Managers, 2 Managers, 1 Senior Analyst and 18 Analysts, covering escalated alert management, Bridger screening tool administration, screening implementation oversight, reporting, program documentation maintenance, oversight and enhancement.

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, youll 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.

• An experienced risk professional, with a sanctions background and experience with the control framework necessary to mitigate sanctions risks.
• 4+ years professional experience in a leadership capacity, with 2-4 years in any of the following: BSA-AML compliance, Sanctions, and Anti-Corruption. Professional certification (e.g., CAMS, CFE) preferred but not required.
• Experience with Lexis Nexis Bridger or similar sanctions screening software is required.
• A good understanding of the AML and Sanctions risks posed by certain jurisdictions.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively to a wide spectrum of external and internal audiences.
• Strong organizational skills with proven ability to simultaneously drive multiple complex initiatives to completion.
• Strong people leadership and management skills with an ability to influence at all levels.
• Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities under demanding deadlines.
• Outstanding judgment and analytical skills, including the ability to be proactive (e.g., predictive of issues before they occur) as well as reactive.
• Leadership, advocacy and influencing skills, with proven ability to secure consensus among divergent and sometimes conflicting interests.
• Strong computer knowledge, including excellent MS Word, Excel, Visio, and PowerPoint skills.

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

Responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide subject matter expertise regarding Sanctions and PEP/risk regulations, and how these impact and influence the enterprise sanctions compliance program.
• Identify regulatory OFAC/Sanctions compliance issues/concerns and identify appropriate corrective actions to implement improved controls/operations.
• Drive program development, particularly: implementation of automation and machine learning solutions to reduce false positive volumes and target high-value sanctions matches.
• Develop and maintain the Global Sanctions Process Risk Self-Assessment, Business Impact Assessment, and (with the Anti-Corruption and Transaction Monitoring teams) Business Continuity Plans.
• Lead investigations into apparent breaches of regulation/compliance standards, make recommendations as appropriate, and execute implementation of corrective measures.
• Partner closely with GCO and external counsel on regulatory issue management, reporting and other interactions with OFAC and international regulatory agencies.
• Support International market compliance with capabilities to enable compliance with local sanctions regulatory requirements.
• Present internal and external stakeholders on program status, developments and enhancements.
• Manage all third party/vendor relationships for sanctions external service providers.

Oversee all Global Sanctions internal screening processes and screening tool controls and monitoring, including ongoing model risk and validation activities connected to Bridger (or other screening tools) and machine learning models.

Responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide subject matter expertise regarding Sanctions and PEP/risk regulations, and how these impact and influence the enterprise sanctions compliance program.
• Identify regulatory OFAC/Sanctions compliance issues/concerns and identify appropriate corrective actions to implement improved controls/operations.
• Drive program development, particularly: implementation of automation and machine learning solutions to reduce false positive volumes and target high-value sanctions matches.
• Develop and maintain the Global Sanctions Process Risk Self-Assessment, Business Impact Assessment, and (with the Anti-Corruption and Transaction Monitoring teams) Business Continuity Plans.
• Lead investigations into apparent breaches of regulation/compliance standards, make recommendations as appropriate, and execute implementation of corrective measures.
• Partner closely with GCO and external counsel on regulatory issue management, reporting and other interactions with OFAC and international regulatory agencies.
• Support International market compliance with capabilities to enable compliance with local sanctions regulatory requirements.
• Present internal and external stakeholders on program status, developments and enhancements.
• Manage all third party/vendor relationships for sanctions external service providers.

Oversee all Global Sanctions internal screening processes and screening tool controls and monitoring, including ongoing model risk and validation activities connected to Bridger (or other screening tools) and machine learning models.