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, 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.

How will you make an impact in this role?

The Operational Risk Management (ORM) team facilitates and monitors the implementation of effective operational risk management programs throughout the organization, and oversees risk ownership throughout business units, products, and processes. The objective of the ORM Issues & Events team is to define and maintain the issues and events frameworks and programs across the enterprise.   

ORM is looking for a Director of Issues & Events Governance to lead a diverse team of high-performing professionals focused on ensuring effective operational risk management is embedded in the day-to-day operations of our organization.

This role will be responsible for the strategic design, evolution, and enterprise integration of the Operational Risk Event (ORE) and Issue Management frameworks, ensuring alignment with the Operational Risk Management Framework (ORMF), regulatory expectations, and enterprise risk strategy.

It will involve extensive collaboration with multiple partners across numerous business units, functional areas, and geographies.

The Director of Issues & Events Program Governance will:

Lead the governance, execution and periodic enhancement of the Enterprise Operational Risk Event (ORE) & Issue Management frameworks including the associated Policies and Procedures.Define, challenge, and continuously enhance the firm’s approach to operational risk event management to ensure alignment with regulatory expectations and enterprise standards.Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for ORE and Issue Management programs, ensuring all guidance, communications, and training materials align with enterprise standards and regulatory expectations.Closely collaborate with Product, Technology, and Business Transformation teams to enhance systems supporting ORE and Remediation (e.g., Archer, ServiceNow) and drive process and data improvements.Represent the Framework team in technology-related governance forums, coordinating system releases, change management activities, and stakeholder communications.Lead project management deliverables related to Internal Audit and external Regulatory activities, including the execution and closure of MRA (Matters Requiring Attention) findings.Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure readiness, transparency and alignment in all regulatory engagements.Provide SME input into enterprise learning, development, and communication strategies to strengthen stakeholders’ understanding of risk event management.Collaborate with the first and second lines of defense to design and deliver high-quality training consistent with the ORE and Remediation framework expectations.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience in managing enterprise-level operational risk management frameworks (e.g., within Risk and/or Internal Audit function) and technology platforms (e.g., Archer, ServiceNow) and has deep understanding of critical operational risk management lifecycle activities, preferably in financial services.Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or risk certification (e.g., FRM, CRISC) preferred.Strong project management, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to drive clarity in complex situations and translate complex risk topics into clear, actionable insights for senior management.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to educate stakeholders at all levels on event & remediation management.Demonstrated experience in process excellence, continuous improvement, and implementation of best practices.Highly self-motivated and resourceful, able to operate independently and deliver in a fast-paced environment.Strategic thinker with the ability to manage competing priorities, influence across functions, and execute under tight deadlines

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business, Risk Mgmt., or related field; advanced degrees (e.g., MBA, MSc) or certifications are advantageousExperience in supporting Audit and Regulatory activities including assisting in the execution of MRA findingsExperience in at least one of the following: Defining and maintaining the scope of events & issues within an enterprise framework; managing large scale operational risk programs and understanding the internal control environment; direct experience handling operational loss events and issues, including risk assessments, mitigation strategies and educating stakeholders in the business on event management and providing feedback on their event and remediation plans.

In depth knowledge of regulatory frameworks specific to systemically important banks (e.g., Basel II, Basel III, stress testing and capital adequacy requirements)

 

ORMCM

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

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.  

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