Manager-Compliance - High Risk Relationship Unit

As part of Global Financial Crimes Compliance (GFCC), the High Risk Relationship Unit (HRRU) works alongside the Financial Crimes Surveillance Unit (FCSU), U.S. Surveillance Investigations, and U.S. Complex Investigations to identify, investigate, and mitigate financial crime risk while helping protect American Express, our customers, and the broader financial system.

The High Risk Relationship Unit (HRRU) is responsible for managing customer offboarding strategies and termination decisions associated with financial crimes risk, regulatory risk, and other enterprise risks. The team also oversees prohibited list governance and related customer screening activities designed to mitigate future risk exposure.

As a Manager in HRRU, you will lead a team of analysts responsible for evaluating complex customer relationships and making risk-based recommendations regarding account termination and future business restrictions. You will partner across Compliance, Risk, Legal, Control Management, Product, Servicing, and other business teams to drive sound risk decisions while supporting strategic initiatives that enhance program effectiveness, governance, and customer risk management practices.

This role requires a highly collaborative leader who can balance operational execution with strategic thinking, influence stakeholders across the enterprise, and effectively communicate complex risk matters to senior leaders.

Job Responsibilities/Tasks

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of financial crime professionals.

• Oversee investigations and risk assessments involving potential money laundering, suspicious activity, sanctions evasion, and other financial crimes risks.

• Review and approve customer termination recommendations, prohibited list decisions, and related risk mitigation activities.
• Partner with stakeholders across Compliance, Legal, Risk, Control Management, Product, and business teams to strengthen customer offboarding strategies and controls.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts, including process optimization, automation, governance enhancements, and data quality initiatives.
• Monitor emerging financial crime trends and identify opportunities to strengthen risk management practices.
• Develop concise and impactful communications for senior leadership, including reporting on program performance, emerging risks, and strategic initiatives.
• Support regulatory examinations, audits, and issue remediation efforts, as applicable.
• Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous learning.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Financial Crimes Compliance, Investigations, Risk Management, Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), KYC, Fraud, or Law Enforcement.
• Experience conducting or overseeing complex financial crime investigations and risk-based decision making.
• Knowledge of SAR filing requirements and AML investigations.
• Strong analytical skills with an attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, as well as internet research.
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Prior people leadership experience.
• Experience presenting to senior leadership and driving cross-functional initiatives.
• Knowledge of suspicious activity reporting, customer due diligence, sanctions, and financial crime risk management practices.
• Experience supporting audits, regulatory examinations, or governance-related activities.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders across multiple organizations.
• CAMS or other relevant professional certification.

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