Senior Manager - Commercial Effectiveness & Governance

Commercial Services (GCS) is the global leader in payment solutions for Small, Medium (SME) and Global and Large (G&L) enterprises. The GCS team enables businesses globally to pay for and finance what they need to grow their businesses through a suite of payment and lending products, solutions for travel and everyday business spending, cross border payments, global currency solutions, and business financing.

The objective of the GCS Control Management Risk ID, Assessment, Testing and Reporting team is to identify, assess, mitigate, and report on Operational Risk within BU processes for GCS to ensure adherence to regulatory standards, Amex policy and enhance the BU's resilience through managing a clear methodology of inherent and residual risk.

GCS is looking for a Senior Manager - Commercial Effectiveness & Governance - RCSA (Risk Compliance Self Assessment) Program Management focused on ensuring control management is embedded in the day-to-day operations of our organization. It will involve extensive collaboration with multiple partners across numerous business units, functional areas, and geographies.

• Provide additional identification of risks throughout business processes and systems (along with business process owners)
• Build and scale RCSA reporting and metrics capabilities by defining actionable KPIs/KRIs and embedding standardized, insight-driven outputs into the operating model to improve visibility, consistency, and enable proactive risk management
• Facilitate BUs in their risk assessments performance (e.g. Risk Control Self Assessment (RCSA)) in addition to further assessments and testing / QA programs to ensure regulatory and internal standards are met (e.g., periodic RCSA reviews and update assessment criteria to align with regulatory updates)
• Drive the build-out of a scalable RCSA governance framework, translating industry best practices into practical standards and evolving operating models to improve consistency, reduce rework, and enable higher-quality risk identification
• Lead control monitoring (supplemental to BU process owners testing) and proactively communicate key OR trends, activities, and events to senior management, to facilitate informed decision-making
• Proactively identify areas of high-risk for intervention (e.g., automated alerts generated for high-risk areas signal need for intervention and focus), including conducting independent quality assurance and vertical process testing
• Compile thematic risk reporting (levels, trends, causes) to provide actionable insights to BU on current risk levels, emerging trends and root causes
• Categorize controls and map against risks and processes (e.g., cross-BU process-control mapping)
• Support BU with identification of risks and spotting areas where product changes or improved controls may be required within New Product Governance (NPG)
• Champion risk management practices within the business
• Develop risk dashboards and key risk indicators (KRIs) for ongoing monitoring
• Develop risk profiles and maintain an updated risk register(s)
• Be a key leader for sharing insights, better practices, themes, etc. across the enterprise
• Exceptional attention to detail when reviewing complex, high-volume materials. 
• Data-driven with strong ability to analyze large datasets and extract actionable insights. 
• Strong storytelling and presentation skills using data visualization and PowerPoint. 
• Ability to manage complex, long-term initiatives with competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills in ambiguous or evolving environments.
• High degree of ownership and accountability with strong follow-through on deliverables.
• Resilient and adaptable in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
• Intellectually curious with a deep interest in understanding business operations and processes.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ Years experience in operational risk management (e.g., within Risk and/or Internal Audit function)
• Understanding of critical operational risk management lifecycle activities
• Excellent project management, communication, and interpersonal skills, with an ability to interact and obtain buy-in from senior BU/tech counterparts
• 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
• Experience within financial services industry
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to analyze data, identify trends, and evaluate risk scenarios effectively
• Demonstrated history and ability to manage large teams, spread over geographies and with varying backgrounds

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
  • Leading independent control monitoring, including identification of control improvements
  • Identifying areas of risk for intervention, including conducting independent quality assurance and process testing
  • Compiling thematic risk reporting to provide actionable insights on risk levels, emerging trends and root causes

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

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 our 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.

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
• 6% Company Match on retirement savings plan
• Free financial coaching and financial well-being support
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
• 20+ weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy
• 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

For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site.