Sr Manager, Program Mgmt - Financial Crimes Technology

American Express•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

The Senior Manager will help drive technology strategy, transformation, portfolio management, and execution excellence across American Express’s Financial Crime and Risk Management (FCRM) technology organization within Enterprise Technology Services. The team is building AI-enabled capabilities for second-line risk and compliance functions and financial crime investigation teams. The role supports capabilities including Transaction Monitoring, Investigations, Sanctions, Customer Risk Rating, Anti-Bribery and Corruption, and other financial crime prevention and compliance functions. The position translates organizational priorities into actionable strategies, strengthens portfolio visibility and accountability, and improves how Financial Crime Technology plans, governs, and delivers strategic initiatives. It requires strategic thinking, portfolio management, governance, and cross-functional leadership in a complex, highly regulated environment. The role partners across Product, Technology, Business, Risk, Compliance, Finance, and other teams, and develops portfolio reporting, performance metrics, dashboards, executive communications, recommendations, and decision materials. Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required; the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
At least 6 years of experience in technology strategy, portfolio management, program management, business transformation, or related roles within complex enterprise organizations.
Experience translating organizational strategies and business objectives into actionable plans, execution frameworks, and measurable outcomes.
Strong understanding of technology portfolio management, including strategic prioritization, roadmap planning, investment management, delivery oversight, and benefits realization.
Experience establishing or managing governance frameworks, operating routines, management reporting, and performance measurement processes.
Ability to lead and coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving multiple teams, stakeholders, and competing priorities.
Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the ability to build alignment and drive outcomes without direct reporting authority.
Experience identifying and managing portfolio-level risks, dependencies, issues, and execution challenges.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including synthesizing complex information, identifying trends, and developing recommendations.
Experience developing executive presentations, strategic communications, portfolio reporting, and management dashboards.
Strong organizational, communication, and facilitation skills, and ability to work effectively in ambiguous and evolving environments.
Ability to balance strategic thinking with practical execution and bring structure to complex organizational challenges.
Eligibility to work in the United States; American Express will not pursue visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience in financial services, financial crime technology, risk management, compliance technology, or another highly regulated industry.
Familiarity with Financial Crime domains and/or other financial services Risk Management domains.
Experience supporting enterprise technology transformation, modernization initiatives, or large-scale strategic programs.
Experience delivering large-scale Risk program transformation within the Financial Services industry.
Knowledge of technology investment planning, financial management, resource allocation, and portfolio value measurement.
Experience designing or improving technology operating models, governance frameworks, and portfolio management processes.
Familiarity with regulatory governance, technology risk management, internal controls, and audit or compliance expectations.
Experience working with Agile delivery organizations and understanding of product-centric technology operating models.
Proficiency with portfolio management, reporting, and collaboration tools such as Jira, Confluence, Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms.
Experience developing executive dashboards, KPIs, OKRs, and benefits realization frameworks to measure portfolio performance and strategic outcomes.
Ability to influence senior leaders, facilitate complex discussions, and drive alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.
Experience supporting AI-enabled transformation, emerging technology adoption, or data-driven decision-making initiatives.
Passion for operational excellence, continuous improvement, and delivering measurable business value through technology.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic planning and execution frameworks, translating organizational priorities into strategies, roadmaps, and structured delivery approaches.
Drive portfolio management practices covering portfolio health, strategic alignment, delivery performance, investment priorities, intended outcomes, and benefits realization.
Align Product, Technology, Business, Risk, Compliance, Finance, and other stakeholder teams around shared priorities and coordinated execution.
Establish and coordinate governance frameworks, management routines, and controls that support decision-making, accountability, risk management, and regulatory expectations.
Lead and coordinate cross-functional initiatives and workstreams, clarifying priorities, dependencies, ownership, milestones, and outcomes.
Identify and drive process, governance, and operating-model improvements to increase structure, consistency, transparency, and efficiency.
Support annual and multi-year strategic planning, technology investment prioritization, portfolio roadmaps, and alignment of resources with organizational objectives.
Develop portfolio reporting, performance metrics, dashboards, and executive communications on strategic progress, delivery risks, dependencies, and investment outcomes.
Identify portfolio-level risks, issues, and interdependencies, and facilitate escalation, decisions, and resolution.
Prepare executive presentations, strategic recommendations, and decision materials for leadership discussions, investment decisions, and governance forums.
Drive continuous improvement in portfolio management, strategic planning, and cross-functional ways of working.