Director Risk Management - Governance

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.

The UK CRO function is part of the Int’l CRO team, within Global Risk and Compliance (GRC). It is responsible for identifying and overseeing risk across all processes.

The Director, Risk Governance and Frameworks, UK, within the GRC organization, is responsible for establishing the second line of defense governance structure, risk framework and risk policy library for the UK. We are seeking an experienced risk leader to be a part of this exciting journey.  The incumbent will lead a team of risk professionals to design, implement, oversee and keep updated the risk governance structure, risk framework and risk policy library for our UK businesses.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of leadership experience in risk management, compliance, treasury, controllership, or a similar role; 
• Strong analytical skills and business acumen with a risk-reward control perspective; and the ability to balance commercial objectives with sound risk management;

• Strong understanding of UK market regulatory requirements and the payments industry;

• Experience in interacting with regulators and familiarity with UK’s regulatory landscape and requirements;
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple priorities under pressure;
• Fluency in English (verbal and written);
• Advanced degree in business, economics, engineering, or a related field; professional certifications such as FRM, CFA, are valued;

Leadership Skills:

• Proven leader who can build, inspire, and coach a team with a passion for the business;
• Excellent relationship and influencing1 skills with the ability to build productive relationships across teams and levels of seniority; including senior leaders, board of directors, regulators, and stakeholders;
• Self-confident with a strong sense of integrity and the ability and willingness to challenge and be challenged;
• Proactive in identifying issues, delivering and escalating key findings, and advising on recommended solutions to correct issues or mitigate risks;
• Ability to communicate oversight findings to colleagues, business partners, and senior leaders;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the UK is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for this position.

• Own the Risk Governance Framework and the Risk Governance Committee structure;
• Own ILE IRM policies and Risk Governance Framework and support localized ILE deployment and execution of AXP 2^nd Line frameworks;
• Own the Risk Appetite Framework and ensure adherence to ILE Risk Appetite through challenge of Risk Appetite statements, metrics, limits and management action plans;
• Build and maintain relationships with Enterprise teams to ensure that ILE input to Enterprise risk policies and frameworks is sought and reflected;
• Ensure that ILE frameworks and policies are embedded and adhered to and that risk is governed in accordance with the ILE Risk Governance Framework;
• Ensure Governance Committees are appropriately structured, staffed and operate in accordance with their Terms of Reference;
• Support successful escalation of risks to BRC, Board and IRMC, and ensure that risks escalated are adequately resolved;
• Oversee remediation of priority issues, OREs, RAPs and MAPs;