Director - Tech Compliance Regulatory Change Management (Banking Regulations/ First Line of Defense (1LOD)) - job 1 of 5

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.

Technology Control & Compliance is seeking an experienced and strategic Director – First Line of Defense (1LOD) Compliance professional to lead our efforts in ensuring all technological & cybersecurity operations, systems, and innovations within the bank adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.

This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing the bank's 1LoD technology & cybersecurity compliance change program, ensuring adherence to a complex array of global and domestic laws and regulations, industry standards, internal policies, and bridging the gap between technological advancement and regulatory imperatives. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of cybersecurity & technology industry frameworks, banking & financial regulations, and risk management principles. You will be a proactive leader, capable of translating complex regulatory requirements into actionable compliance strategies and fostering a culture of security and compliance throughout the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute the enterprise technology & cybersecurity compliance change strategy, aligning with business objectives and evolving regulatory requirements (e.g., FFIEC, GLBA, Dodd-Frank, OCC bulletins, FRB guidance, GLBA, NYDFS, GDPR, CCPA, etc).
• Regulatory Interpretation & Implementation: Monitor, interpret, and disseminate information on new and updated technology and cybersecurity regulations, laws, and industry standards relevant to the financial & banking sectors. Translate these requirements into practical, implementable controls and policies. Conduct a gap analysis of the current control framework against new regulatory requirements and drive the action required to achieve adherence.
• Emerging Technology Compliance: Proactively assess and provide guidance on the compliance implications of adopting new and emerging technologies (e.g., AI/ML, blockchain, RPA, advanced analytics).
• Advisory: Proactively identify and assess technology & cybersecurity compliance risks inherent in products, services, processes, and controls.
• Countermeasures: Consult with business leadership and second line compliance to design and implement effective controls and mitigation strategies.
• Assurance: Support the execution of business-level compliance risk assessments and control self-assessments.

Qualifications:

• 7–10+ years of compliance, legal, or regulatory advocacy & industry engagement experience within a financial institution, preferably in a business-aligned or first line of defense role.
• Deep expertise in banking regulations and compliance frameworks, including but not limited to:
• Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
• NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation (23 NYCRR Part 500)

·         FFIEC IT Handbooks (e.g., Operations, Audit, Development and Acquisition, Business Continuity, Outsourcing, Cybersecurity)

·         OCC Bulletins and Consent Orders related to technology

·         FRB guidance on technology risk management

·         Global and domestic data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, state-specific privacy laws)

·         Operational Resilience frameworks (e.g., from FRB, OCC, FDIC, other supra-national and national regulatory bodies).

• NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)
• ISO 27001/27002
• PCI DSS (if applicable)
• Proven experience in developing, implementing, and managing Technology & Cybersecurity compliance programs in a complex organizational environment.
• Strong understanding of IT governance, risk, and control frameworks (e.g., COBIT, ITIL, NIST, CRI Cyber Profile).
• Sound understanding of various security technologies (e.g., SIEM, DLP, IDS/IPS, WAF, endpoint security, cloud security).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical and regulatory information to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership and regulators.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities in a complex, matrixed environment

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Computer Science, Law, or a related field.
• Advanced degree (e.g., JD, MBA, MPA) or professional certifications such as CRCM, CISSP, CISM, CISA, CRISC, CGEIT.

• Experience working with compliance technology tools and issue management systems.

Annual Range: $170,000.00 to $255,000.00 annually + bonus + benefits

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.

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:

• 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

For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site.

American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. American Express will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For positions covered by federal and/or state banking regulations, American Express will comply with such regulations as it relates to the consideration of applicants with criminal convictions.

We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That's why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually.

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Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.