Staff Cybersecurity - Cyber Data & AI Transformation - job 2 of 4

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.

Overview

Are you passionate about revolutionizing cybersecurity through AI and data innovation? We are looking for a visionary and execution-focused Staff Cybersecurity of Cyber Data & AI Transformation to lead our next-generation security operations. This is a pivotal role where you will reimagine how Agentic AI, intelligent automation, and modern data platforms power a scalable, AI-first cybersecurity ecosystem.

Join us in building a future where cyber defense is proactive, intelligent, and deeply integrated across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

Individual Contributor Leadership with Broad Influence

• Operate as a high-impact individual contributor with technical authority and strategic influence across multiple cybersecurity and engineering teams.
• Lead through influence, collaboration, and technical credibility — not through formal org charts.
• Partner deeply with Cyber Engineering, Emerging Technologies, Analytics, and Security Operations to drive execution.
• Over time, this role may grow to include a small team of direct reports, especially as initiatives scale and mature.

AI-Driven Security Vision & Execution

• Define and lead the strategic roadmap to embed AI into cybersecurity operations, beginning with the Security Operations Center (SOC).
• Identify high-impact use cases where Agentic AI reduces manual effort and improves decision quality.
• Partner with Cyber Engineering to craft intuitive, outcome-driven user experiences.

Rapid Innovation & Solution Scaling

• Spearhead rapid prototyping of AI-driven security tools with iterative development cycles.
• Collaborate with Emerging Technologies teams to validate and industrialize innovative solutions.
• Guide hands-on engineering pilots from concept to enterprise-grade deployment.

Cross-Functional Integration

• Serve as the bridge between Cyber Engineering, Emerging Tech, and Staff Specialist groups.
• Ensure cohesive, AI-enabled workflows across organizational boundaries.

Data Modernization for AI

• Lead modernization of the Cyber Data Warehouse to enable secure, real-time inferencing.
• Utilize tools such as Starburst and Alation to enable scalable, taxonomy-driven operational insights.

Reusable Patterns & Scalability

• Develop frameworks and reusable patterns to scale successful AI use cases beyond the SOC.
• Build a future-proof, sustainable AI operating model for the security organization.

Culture & Capability Shift

• Drive cultural transformation by upskilling teams and evangelizing Agentic AI's value.
• Empower internal teams to lead and scale transformation autonomously.

Value Measurement & Reporting

• Work closely with analytics teams to define and track KPIs and ROI for AI initiatives.
• Communicate strategic milestones and operational wins to senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Leadership Experience: Proven record of leading large-scale AI or data transformations in cybersecurity or regulated industries.
• Technical Proficiency: Deep understanding of AI/ML systems, cybersecurity defense tools, and enterprise data platforms.
• Gen AI Expertise: Demonstrated hands-on experience with Generative AI, Agentic frameworks (e.g., AutoGPT, LangChain, or bespoke agents), cybersecurity use cases, and modern data engineering practices (including data lakes, real-time streaming, and access governance).
• Collaboration & Influence: Strong track record of working cross-functionally with engineering, analytics, and executive stakeholders.
• Execution Focus: Demonstrated ability to balance innovation with enterprise-grade scalability and speed.
• Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field is required.

This role is more than a leadership position — it’s a chance to shape the future of cybersecurity. You'll have the resources, support, and executive sponsorship to bring transformative ideas to life, influence organizational direction, and make a lasting impact.

Salary Range: $170,000.00 to $255,000.00 annually + bonus + equity (if applicable) + 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 United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.