Financial Crimes Compliance Director

At American Express, our culture is built on a 175-year history of innovation, shared values and Leadership Behaviours, 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. 

How will you make an impact in this role?

The American Express Global Financial Crimes Compliance (GFCC) function provides second-line policy, framework, oversight and control solutions to meet the Company's legal, regulatory and risk management mandates in connection with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorism Financing (CTF), Sanctions and Anti-Bribery and Corruption.  The GFCC portfolio comprises all aspects of the Company's first and second-line financial crime risk management (FCRM) activities, including all lines of businesses in the EMEA Region and both proprietary non-proprietary global markets.

Reporting to the Regional Head of Financial Crimes Compliance, the Head of Investigations (HoI) will oversee and govern the GFCC operations across the country, including operational forecasting, planning, resourcing, training, quality controls and other enterprise and market-level requirements.  In close coordination with Legal Entity / Market Compliance Officers (LECOs), the HOI will assess relevant enterprise and local risks and regulatory requirements related to AML/CFT, Sanctions, and ABC casework in the market/s and ensure compliance with American Express FCRM policy and investigative standards. The HOI will monitor market compliance with the American Express FCRM policy and related standards, oversee operations, and coordinate with and support MCO and country teams, ensuring that investigations and SAR reporting meet local regulatory requirements and enterprise standards.

This position will be based in Spain and will have in scope Spain and Italian markets.  Incumbent will supervise a team of investigators in both countries.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for financial crimes compliance activities across EMEA, ensuring a globally consistent, risk-based approach to FCRM that meets compliance requirements related to investigations, SAR filing activities and related FCRM activities.
• Drive the execution of GFCC standards and initiatives across EMEA, tailoring to market-specific nuances where necessary.
• Oversee operational forecasting, planning and resourcing requirements for EMEA' various country-level teams.
• Oversee the investigation of complex financial crimes cases, including money laundering, fraud, terrorist financing, sanctions violations, and other suspicious activity. Ensure effective escalation and timely resolution.
• Ensure the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of suspicious activity and transaction reporting and sanctions/PEP/Risk screening processes in line with local regulations and GFCC policy and standards. Provide guidance to local teams on documentation standards and regulatory expectations.
• Closely collaborate with other Market/ Heads of Investigations and SAR Reporting across the Region as well as International Markets for harmonization and best practice sharing.
• Monitor and assess emerging risks and regulatory changes in close coordination with the Regional FCC regulatory team within the region, identifying trends and developing strategies to include investigative procedures and training.
• Enable effective ongoing training and deep awareness of the evolving financial crime environment for all the team members.
• Manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing team responsible for investigations work.
• Support the management of supervisory and regulatory examinations and audits.
• Ensure adherence to legal and regulatory standards as well as internal quality requirements for suspicious activity report filings.
• Collect, analyze and report on screening, investigations and SAR metrics for relevant legal entities at a minimum.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 8+ years of experience in financial crimes compliance, anti-money laundering (AML), in particular experience in investigations within the financial services, with significant exposure to the Region.
• Deep understanding of financial crimes regulatory requirements and trends across the Region.
• Strong knowledge of global AML, CTF, and sanctions regulatory frameworks, with expertise in SAR/STR filings, investigations, and regulatory engagement.
• Experience managing and leading regional or multi-jurisdictional investigations programs in a global or regional financial institution.
• Proven ability to work effectively across diverse markets, cultures, and regulatory environments.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills with a risk-based mindset.
• CAMS and/or ICA Certifications a plus.
• External experience in governmental financial crime investigations or intelligence is a plus.
• External experience in governmental regulation in the FCC space is a plus.
• Both a strong written and verbal English/Spanish language skills required. Italian language skills would be a plus

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

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

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