Director-Compliance: USIU AML Investigations

American Express • Sunrise, FL

146d • $130,000 - $205,000

About The Position

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. American Express's US Investigations Unit (USIU) is part of the broader Global Risk & Compliance organization, operating within Global Financial Crimes Compliance (GFCC). USIU provides oversight and support for global financial crimes investigations. In partnership with teams across the financial crimes organization, USIU develops and implements transaction monitoring rules, reports, and other tools to detect potential criminal activity. They investigate suspicious financial behavior and, when necessary, file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) or refer cases to internal compliance partners for global reporting. USIU plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with key regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), USA PATRIOT Act, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. They also support law enforcement by providing critical information to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, credit card fraud, identity theft, and other financial crimes.

Requirements

• Bachelors/University degree or equivalent experience.
• Extensive experience in AML Compliance, financial crime investigations, law enforcement, or related fields, including demonstrated success in leading large teams and delivering complex AML/CTF/ABC initiatives.
• Prior senior-level leadership required.
• Strong knowledge of global AML/CTF/ABC Regulations (BSA, US PATRIOT Act).
• Experience with direct people leadership and developing top talent.
• Extensive experience in conducting financial crime investigations.
• Deep understanding of criminal typologies associated with a wide array of financial products and services.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English.

Nice To Haves

• Contribute to suggestions to enhance systems, methodologies, and process simplification.
• Display strong analytical and thought leadership by being able to transform ideas to actionable plans.
• Ability to challenge the status quo by removing organizational barriers and influencing without authority.
• Demonstrated success building and scaling investigative teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to assess, manage, and drive change.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to influence, gain support, and resolve conflict.
• Strong collaboration and relationship development skills.
• Ability to strategically plan with thought leadership.
• Must be a deadline-driven team player.
• Proven ability to take complex technical information and translate it into clear communications (presentations/memos) for a variety of audiences.
• Experience in building and leading large diverse teams.
• Master's degree preferred.
• CAMS and/or CFCS Certifications a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an adequate knowledge of the U.S financial crime environments.
• Serve as a subject matter expert, and point of contact for globally dispersed FIU colleagues, on global financial crime, sector, geopolitical or regulatory issues.
• Coordinate and analyze the filing of SARs.
• Enable the right training and the proper awareness of financial crime environments for all team members.
• Support the SAR filing process globally.
• Manage a team of leaders and Investigative Analysts responsible for reviewing, editing, and filing SARs.
• Ensure adherence to legal and regulatory standards as well as internal quality requirements for SAR.
• Provide guidance on how to conduct and document SAR-related investigations.
• Identify and analyze SAR patterns and trends.
• Collect and report on SAR metrics for various lines of business.

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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Credit Intermediation and Related Activities
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree