Director - Audit, Financial Crimes

American Express•New York, NY

1d•$123,000 - $215,250

About The Position

American Express’s Internal Audit Group (IAG) is a worldwide function with more than 400 team members and offices in nine countries. Its mission is to protect and enhance organizational value through independent, objective, risk-based assurance and advisory services, and to influence how the company manages risk. IAG teams align to key risk areas and business units, while its Professional Practices group manages audit operations, quality and standards, regulatory relations, reporting, training, professional development, and internal capabilities and technologies. Based in New York, this role supports the Vice President of Global Financial Crime. The Director leads a dedicated team of financial crime auditors covering key pillars of the compliance program and collaborates with integrated audit teams on financial crime risks within their portfolios. The role oversees audit professionals and audit delivery across a portfolio, contributes to risk-based audit planning and regulatory activities, reviews corrective action plans and audit reports, and develops relationships with senior business leaders to identify emerging risks and adapt audit approaches. As a people leader, the Director recruits, coaches, mentors, and develops staff, builds team capabilities, and promotes continuous improvement in audit methods and ways of working. The position requires at least eight years of audit experience and experience auditing financial crime compliance programs in financial services and/or directly managing financial crime risks. The successful candidate will guide teams in applying critical thinking, control theory, professional auditing practices, and applicable financial crime regulations throughout the audit lifecycle. CAMS certification and experience with analytics and visualization tools are preferred. Employment eligibility to work in the United States is required; American Express will not pursue visa sponsorship for this position.

Requirements

At least 8 years of audit experience.
Experience auditing Financial Crime Compliance Programs in financial services and/or directly managing Financial Crime risks.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide management with high-quality, actionable, value-added feedback on potential issues and solutions.
Ability to oversee multiple audits, projects, and a portfolio; set direction; and develop team capabilities.
Ability to guide teams in applying critical thinking to evaluate risks and translate considerations into evidence and risk-based insights.
Ability to guide teams in applying control theory and professional auditing practices throughout the audit lifecycle, including the design and evaluation of control frameworks.
Ability to stay current on and share knowledge of trends, developments, regulations, technologies, and best practices in auditing, banking, and the area of specialization.
Employment eligibility to work in the United States; American Express will not pursue visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

CAMS certification.
Experience with data analytics tools, data visualization, key risk indicators (KRIs), key performance indicators (KPIs), information systems or technology, and scorecards or dashboards.
Interest in working with data, interpreting results, and applying analytics best practices; experience with data analytics tools and data visualization.

Responsibilities

Oversee audit professionals across simultaneous audit projects of varying sizes and complexity across business areas and regions; ensure timely, high-quality completion and conduct L2 reviews.
Specialize in one or more lines of business and own a portfolio, with accountability and a horizontal risk view of the portfolio.
Collaborate with Audit Leaders to develop the annual risk-based Audit Plan, using knowledge of the portfolio, banking, and industry trends to establish adequate coverage.
Support and/or lead regulatory activities and attend regulatory meetings as appropriate.
Lead delivery and execution of the annual Audit Plan for the assigned portfolio using an integrated approach that considers financial, operational, compliance, and technology risks.
Review management corrective action plans for business-identified issues, audit findings, and regulatory remediations.
Lead Chief Audit Executive (CAE) audit report reviews and share insights and observations.
Build relationships with senior business leaders, identify business-environment changes, emerging risks, and control priorities, monitor the business, and guide adjustments to audit approaches.
Provide subject-matter and industry knowledge to support business partnership efforts and effective challenge.
Collaborate with Senior Managers and Managers on post-audit feedback discussions, providing actionable feedback, supporting development, and recognizing accomplishments.
Support Audit Leader special projects across business units and geographic regions; ensure alignment with organizational objectives and risk frameworks, help prepare regulator responses, and attend meetings as needed.
Serve as a people leader by mentoring, coaching, and supporting career development for direct reports.
Recruit, supervise, coach, mentor, and develop audit staff to build high-performing teams and foster continuous learning and professional growth.
Develop a training plan to upskill colleagues and ensure audit teams have the skills required to deliver the Audit Plan.
Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments, and auditing and banking best practices, and incorporate relevant insights into audit methodologies and team practices.
Coach the team on applying rules and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act, USA PATRIOT Act, OFAC requirements, and other global sanctions regimes, to audit execution and analysis.

Benefits

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.
More than 20 weeks of paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, for pregnancy, adoption, or surrogacy.
Free access to global onsite wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors, depending on location.
Free and confidential counseling support through the Healthy Minds program.
Career development and training opportunities.