Director-Compliance GFCSU

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.
American Express’s Global Financial Crimes Surveillance Unit (GFCSU) is part of the broader Global Risk & Compliance organization, operating within Global Financial Crimes Compliance (GFCC). GFCSU plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with key regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. They also support law enforcement by providing critical information to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, credit card fraud, identity theft, and other financial crimes.
The International Special Case and Insider Investigations Director will lead a team of specialized managers and analysts responsible for conducting complex investigations involving Human Trafficking, Arms Proliferation, Trade Based Money laundering, Wildlife Trafficking, Terrorist Financing, and Public Corruption. In addition, they will oversee the financial crime investigations related to American Express colleagues. The Director will partner closely with the MLROs across each International market as well as with the Special Investigation and Insider teams for the US. The successful candidate must have excellent investigative, communication, and time management skills, the ability to effectively manage change and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelors/University degree.
8+ years of work experience as an AML Compliance Manager/Director in a financial services institution with expertise in any of the following areas: BSA-AML compliance, law enforcement, complex AML/CTF/ABC investigations.
Strong knowledge of global AML/CTF/ABC Regulations (BSA, US PATRIOT Act)
Experience with direct people leadership and developing top talent
Extensive experience in conducting financial crime investigations
Deep understanding of criminal typologies associated with a wide array of financial products and services
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English
Preferred Qualifications:
Ability to contribute suggestions to enhance systems, methodologies, and process simplification
Must display strong analytical and thought leadership by being able to transform ideas to actionable plans
Ability to challenge the status quo by removing organizational barriers and influencing without authority
Demonstrated success building and scaling investigative teams
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to assess, manage, and drive change
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
Ability to influence, gain support, and resolve conflict
Strong collaboration and relationship development skills
Ability to strategically plan with thought leadership
Must be a deadline-driven team player
Proven ability to take complex technical information and translate it into clear communications (presentations/memos) for a variety of audiences
Experience in building and leading large diverse teams
Master's or other advanced degree preferred
CAMS and/or CFCS Certifications a plus
Employment eligibility to work with American Express in Spain is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.
Job Responsibilities:
To develop and maintain an adequate knowledge of complex International financial crime environments
Serve as a subject matter expert, and point of contact for globally dispersed GFCC colleagues, on global financial crime, sector, geopolitical or regulatory issues
Coordinate the investigation into insider-related cases
Responsibility to enable the right training and the proper awareness of financial crime environments for all the team members
Manage a team of leaders and Investigative Analysts responsible for reviewing complex investigations
Ensure adherence to legal and regulatory standards as well as internal quality requirements
Liaise with MLROs and the US Special Investigations and Insider teams as appropriate

Skills
Risk Management

Work arrangement
Hybrid