Manager, Guardian PMO Financial Crimes

American Express•New York, NY

6d•Hybrid

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. The Global Strategy, Operations & Performance (GSOP) team serves as a Center of Excellence within Global Merchant and Network Services (GMNS) business unit, focusing on enterprise-level strategy, performance management, and operational delivery. We're a fast-moving, high-impact team tackling the company’s most important priorities. The Risk & Remediation program management office (PMO) is specifically focused on driving GMNS process excellence, Legal Entity Governance, 1LOD Compliance, Data Governance and managing large risk-related initiatives for GMNS. The GMNS PMO team’s objective is to drive the successful delivery of Project Guardian—a key initiative to enhance the Operational Risk and Control Management strategy within GMNS through strong program management and deep enterprise partnerships. The successful candidate will support a high-priority, enterprise-wide program, providing global program management across key workstreams and deliverables to advance GMNS toward a more robust risk management model. This role offers exposure to multiple teams across GMNS l and the broader American Express organization. How will you make an impact in this role? This role is critical to the successful delivery of Guardian, a high-priority, enterprise-level transformation designed to elevate Operational Risk and Control Management across GMNS. The Manager will provide strategic program leadership and coordination across complex GMNS workstreams, business unit leaders, and enterprise partners, while maintaining close collaboration with Second Line, Third Line, and key enabling functions to ensure the highest standards of governance, control, and compliance. The successful candidate will be a results-driven transformation leader with a proven ability to operate in fast-paced, high-visibility environments, demonstrate strong executive presence, and influence outcomes across a highly matrixed organization. This role offers significant exposure to senior leaders across GMNS and the broader enterprise, with the opportunity to shape and embed a more mature, sustainable risk management model.

Requirements

Highly motivated, proactive self-starter with demonstrated ability to deliver strategic thought leadership and lead complex, cross-functional transformation initiatives
Proven success operating in fast-paced, highly matrixed environments, with the agility to manage ambiguity, shifting priorities, and competing demands while maintaining focus on outcomes
Exceptional program and project management expertise, with strong execution discipline and the ability to drive results through influence rather than authority
Working knowledge of Financial Crimes risk and control frameworks, with experience supporting large-scale transformation or remediation initiatives that strengthen governance, controls, and sustainable risk management outcomes
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a track record of effective engagement with senior leaders and enterprise partners
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex topics and influence decision-making across diverse stakeholder groups
Resilient, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to navigate challenges with professionalism and composure
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in project or program management, preferably within a large, global, and highly regulated organization
Bachelor's degree
Experience with Financial Crimes
Flexibility to collaborate across multiple time zones due to the international scope of the role
Based in New York City, with a hybrid work arrangement

Nice To Haves

CAMS certification

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee the end-to-end GMNS cross-functional Guardian workplan, ensuring disciplined execution, effective risk management, and timely delivery of all critical program milestones and outcomes
Serve as the central program management function for Guardian, acting as a trusted conduit between GMNS executive sponsors, business leads, and workstream owners to ensure alignment, transparency, and cohesive delivery
Provide strategic PMO oversight and active support to the Financial Crimes workstream, a critical enabler of Guardian’s success, ensuring strong integration with broader risk & control objectives
Partner closely with CLM Leadership, Control Management, Legal Entity Governance, Network & Acquiring Solutions, Financial Crimes, and Second Line of Defense (2LOD) teams to drive enterprise alignment and execution
Drive senior-level communication and reporting, including progress updates, milestone tracking, risk and dependency management, and escalation of key issues and decision points to enable timely resolution
Champion change management efforts, supporting clear, effective communication strategies and stakeholder engagement plans to drive adoption and embed sustainable ways of working
Strengthen organizational alignment across GMNS and the enterprise by identifying interdependencies, managing cross-functional linkages, and proactively addressing execution risks
Support and lead Guardian PMO governance forums, represent GMNS in enterprise-level committees (e.g., Operational Risk Management Committee), and contribute insights to relevant Communities of Practice
Establish and maintain rigorous program governance and documentation standards, ensuring all key artifacts, approvals, and evidence of completion are captured in line with Enterprise PMO and regulatory expectations

Benefits

Competitive base salaries
Bonus incentives
6%25 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