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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.
How will you make an impact in this role?
- Serve as the FCA-approved SMF 4, holding personal accountability for the integrity and effectiveness of the UK risk management function.
- Lead the UK Enterprise Risk Management team, providing independent oversight of all key risk types including credit, market, liquidity, operational, conduct, compliance, privacy, model, technology, strategic, and reputational risks.
- Establish and maintain a Risk Governance Framework across the UK’s Issuing and Acquiring Legal Entities, ensuring alignment with global standards and local regulatory requirements.
- Develop and oversee the Risk Appetite Framework, including risk tolerances, escalation thresholds, and metrics for all major risk stripes, in accordance with regulatory expectations.
- Advise and challenge the CEO, Board, and Risk Committee on current and emerging risk exposures, appetite adherence, and mitigation strategies.
- Promote a strong risk culture that emphasizes integrity, transparency, and proactive risk management across all levels of the organization.
- Provide oversight of internal control frameworks, including outsourcing risk, and ensure effective governance through participation in key committees.
- Establish objective processes and controls to validate the accuracy of risk information and analysis provided by business lines for reporting to senior management and the Board.
- Review and approve risk assessments for new products and strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with the risk appetite and regulatory standards.
- Monitor regulatory compliance with consumer protection provisions, Codes of Conduct, and public commitments, including enhanced disclosures and complaints handling.
- Engage with Legal Entity Compliance in regulatory engagements with the FCA, PRA, and other bodies on risk-governance matters, ensuring transparency and responsiveness.
- Collaborate with global and regional CROs and risk stripe leads, supporting consistency of standards and practices across international entities.
- Develop, mentor, and retain high-performing risk professionals, embedding a collaborative and forward-looking risk mindset across the enterprise.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience and Background
- Substantial amount of senior leadership experience in enterprise risk management, preferably within regulated financial institutions.
- Advanced degree in business, economics, engineering, statistics, or a related quantitative field; professional certifications such as FRM, CFA, are valued.
- Strong business acumen with a risk-reward control mindset and the ability to balance commercial objectives with sound risk management.
- Deep regulatory expertise, including familiarity with UK (FCA/PRA), and global frameworks (Basel, GDPR, Bank Act).
- Proven track record of regulatory engagement, including presenting risk governance matters to regulators and managing supervisory exams.
Leadership Skills
- Integrity and courage: Demonstrates a strong ethical compass, willing to challenge decisions constructively and uphold high standards.
- Inspirational leadership: Proven ability to build, coach, and energize high-performing teams with a passion for the business and a commitment to excellence.
- Influence and relationship management: Builds productive relationships across teams and seniority levels, driving alignment and collaboration.
- Proactive problem-solving: Identifies issues early, escalates key findings, and advises on corrective actions to mitigate risk.
- Strategic communication: Translates complex risk insights into clear, actionable messages for senior leaders, regulators, and stakeholders.
- Change leadership: Drives transformation and embeds a proactive risk culture across the organization.
- Enterprise thinking: Operates with a broad view of the business, connecting risk strategy to organizational goals and values.
- Commitment to continuous learning: Stays current on emerging risks, regulatory changes, and industry best practices.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure, demonstrating resilience and sound judgment in dynamic environments.
- Global Risk perspective, with experience managing risk across jurisdictions and understanding systemic and geopolitical risks.
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:
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- Competitive base salaries
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- Bonus incentives
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- Support for financial-well-being and retirement
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- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location)
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- Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
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- Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location)
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- Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location)
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- 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.
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