Operational Risk Advisory Manager

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. 

Global Merchant & Network Services (GMNS) brings together American Express' merchant-and network related businesses to enable a sharp focus on using the power of our network to provide unique value to all our mutual customers. The organization manages the relationships with the millions of merchants around the world that accepts American Express and runs the company's payment network and manages bank partnerships globally. The Operational Risk Advisory Manager supports the delivery of operational risk advisory services to business partners across GMNS, with a focus on embedding effective risk management practices into day-to-day business activities. The role works closely with business process owners and Control Management partners to support the identification, assessment, and mitigation of operational risks to ensure adherence to regulatory standards, Amex policy and enhance the BU's resilience through managing a clear methodology of inherent and residual risk.

GMNS is looking for a Manager focused on ensuring control management is embedded in the day-to-day operations of our organization. This position requires strong analytical and communication skills, the ability to manage multiple initiatives in parallel, and a collaborative mindset to effectively partner with stakeholders across functions and markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide additional identification of risks throughout business processes and systems (along with business process owners)
• Facilitate and support risk assessment activities, testing programs, and reviews to ensure alignment with regulatory and internal standards.
• Partner with business teams and Control Management functions to support the design, implementation, and enhancement of controls.
• Review independent control monitoring outputs and contribute to the identification of control gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Identify areas of elevated risk requiring further analysis, intervention, or quality assurance activities, including process testing where appropriate.
• Analyze risk data, trends, and thematic reporting to provide actionable insights on risk levels, emerging risks, and root causes.

• Support risk awareness and education by contributing to clear, practical guidance for business stakeholders.

  Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in operational risk management, risk, audit, or a related function.
• Solid understanding of the operational risk management life-cycle and key risk and control concepts.
• Strong project management, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in process governance, with an understanding of alignment to policies, regulatory frameworks, and operational standards.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and assess risk scenarios.

• Fluent in English (spoken and written) and Spanish.

  Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Business, Risk Mgmt., or related field; advanced degrees (e.g., MBA, MSc) or certifications are advantageous 

• Experience in at least one of the following\: 

  • Providing identification of operational risks throughout business processes and systems
  • Facilitating risk assessment performance in addition to further assessments and testing programs to ensure regulatory and internal standards are met
  • Enhancing risk assessments and associated methodologies
  • Reviewing independent control monitoring, including identification of control improvements
  • Identifying areas of risk for intervention, including conducting independent quality assurance and process testing
  • Reviewing thematic risk reporting to provide actionable insights on risk levels, emerging trends and root causes 
• Experience in financial services industry

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.