Director- Risk Management; Change Governance (2LOD) - job 1 of 6

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.

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to establish and lead a new second-line risk function focused on Enterprise Change. This global role will be instrumental in shaping the firm’s approach to managing these risks across people, processes, technology, third parties, and physical infrastructure.

As the Head of Enterprise Change (2^nd Line), you will design and implement a comprehensive risk governance framework, engage with senior leadership across business and technology, and lead regulatory interactions. This is a high-impact opportunity to build a new team and drive meaningful change across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

• Framework Leadership: Design and implement a firmwide change governance framework, including policies, controls, monitoring standards and sustainable risk capabilities.
• Regulatory Engagement: Lead regulatory, supervisory, and internal audit interactions; manage exams and ensure timely resolution of findings.
• Team Building: Build and lead a high-performing team of risk professionals. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Risk Assessment & Reporting: Oversee risk assessments at both macro and micro levels. Develop and deliver Board and executive-level reporting (e.g., KCIs, KRIs, KPIs).
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with senior leaders across risk, business, and technology to define risk appetite and ensure alignment with enterprise limits and thresholds.
• Culture & Training: Champion a risk-aware culture. Design and roll out enterprise-wide training and awareness programs.
• External Intelligence: Continuously enhance the program by integrating insights from regulatory developments, leading practices, and external events.

The successful candidate will have and/or be able to:

• Deep knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and risk management standards.
• Strong data-driven analytical skills with experience using data to identify and manage risks at scale.
• Exceptional problem solving, communication and influencing skills, with a track record of engaging executive stakeholders.

Required Qualifications 

• 6+ years of risk management experience at large U.S. banks
• Prior experience in design, development, and implementation of risk governance frameworks (Expertise in change governance frameworks is strongly preferred).
• Prior experience managing regulatory exams and supervisory engagements.
• Prior experience building and leading new risk teams in dynamic environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Risk management experience with a GSIB.
• Formal certifications in operational resilience, BCM, disaster recovery, and risk frameworks.

Salary Range: $130,000.00 to $205,000.00 annually + bonus + equity (if applicable) + benefits

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.

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 
• 6% Company Match on retirement savings plan 
• Free financial coaching and financial well-being support 
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits 
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need 
• 20+ weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy 
• 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

For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site.

American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. American Express will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For positions covered by federal and/or state banking regulations, American Express will comply with such regulations as it relates to the consideration of applicants with criminal convictions.

We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That's why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually.

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

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