Vice President, International Card Services Risk Officer

The Global Risk & Compliance Organization is an independent risk management function, led by the Chief Risk Officer, with the objective of ensuring that American Express operates in a safe, sound, and fully compliant manner with all applicable regulatory expectations. Global Risk & Compliance creates and maintains the overall risk management framework, performs independent risk management assessments, and monitors applicable risks. Colleagues at Global Risk & Compliance are passionate about our dedication to drive the Company's goals of growth and progress by creating a culture of risk awareness and proactivity around regulatory matters. The Operational Risk Management (ORM) team facilitates and monitors the implementation of effective operational risk management programs throughout the company, and oversees risk ownership throughout business units, products, and processes. The objective of the ORM Governance team is to develop, oversee and strengthen the organization's ORM framework to ensure that governance structures, policies, and procedures are robust, effective, and align with regulatory requirements and best practices. American Express International Card Services is a leading issuer and provider of Consumer and Commercial products and services across many countries around the world. The International Card Services team vision is to ensure each customer has access to flexible payment options, relevant rewards, and the powerful backing of American Express The ORM Governance Organization is looking for an International Card Services Risk Officer to lead a diverse team of high-performing individuals focused on the effective oversight of risk identification, assessment, and mitigation across the Business Unit, while maintaining alignment with the organization's enterprise risk management framework. The ideal candidate will partner closely with first-line stakeholders and enterprise risk functions to provide independent oversight and challenge, ensuring that risks are managed effectively and in compliance with regulatory expectations. The Vice President, International Card Services Risk Officer will:

• Define and enhance processes for identifying and assessing risks within International Card Services (i.e., Risk & Control Self-Assessment), including the independent review and challenge of the first line of defense's assessment
• Provide independent oversight of the first-line business activities to ensure risks are appropriately identified, assessed, and managed
• Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of risk management practices, controls, and processes across International Card Services
• Drive the implementation and adherence to the enterprise risk management framework within International Card Services
• Develop and refine risk policies, standards, and procedures, aligning them with organizational risk appetite and regulatory expectations
• Oversee key risk indicators and track emerging risks, delivering insightful reports to senior management and risk committees
• Highlight critical risks and provide actionable recommendations for mitigation
• Maintain a thorough understanding of regulatory requirements to guide risk practices in line with applicable laws and standards
• Participate in risk committees and working groups, contributing independent perspectives and strategic input
• Perform periodic reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of risk management strategies and control mechanisms
• Provide expertise and training to first-line teams, enhancing their understanding of risk management principles and regulatory expectations
• Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders, fostering a strong risk culture and embedding risk considerations into decision-making
• Monitor the resolution of risk-related issues, including those identified by internal audit, regulatory reviews, or internal assessments
• Escalate significant risks or control weaknesses to senior management, ensuring timely and effective remediation
  
  Experience in risk management, preferably within a second-line function in financial services, and understands critical risk management lifecycle activities
• Comprehensive knowledge of enterprise risk management frameworks, regulatory environments, and industry best practices
• Proven expertise in process governance, with a track record of establishing and overseeing robust decision-making processes that align with policies, regulatory frameworks, and/or operational standards
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
• Leadership and collaboration capabilities, build productive partnerships across lines of defense
• Demonstrated history and ability to manage large teams, spread over geographies and with varying backgrounds
• Proven ability to assess and challenge first-line risk practices independently
• Strong understanding of operational and regulatory risks
• Proficiency in risk management tools, data analysis, and reporting systems
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with a focus on actionable insights
• Detail-oriented and proactive, with strong prioritization skills in a dynamic environment
• High ethical standards and a commitment to integrity and accountability
• Knowledge of consumer and commercial bank/payment products
  
  With the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. When you join Team Amex, you become part of a global and diverse community of colleagues with an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities and each other. Here, you'll learn and grow as we help you create a career journey that's unique and meaningful to you with benefits, programs, and flexibility that support you personally and professionally.
At American Express, you'll be recognized for your contributions, leadership, and impact-every colleague has the opportunity to share in the company's success. Together, we'll win as a team, striving to uphold our company values and powerful backing promise to provide the world's best customer experience every day. And we'll do it with the utmost integrity, and in an environment where everyone is seen, heard and feels like they belong. Join Team Amex and let's lead the way together.

We back our colleagues and their loved ones with benefits and programs that support their holistic well-being. That means we prioritize their physical, financial, and mental health through each stage of life. Benefits include:
• 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