Director, GMS International Compliance – EMEA (12 Month Secondment)

The Global Risk & Compliance (GRC) organization serves as American Express’ independent risk management function. GRC maintains the enterprise risk framework, provides oversight and challenge, and monitors key risks. By embedding risk discipline into strategy and operations, GRC enables responsible growth, innovation, and long-term value creation while protecting customers and shareholders.

This position is based in London and follows a hybrid working model, currently requiring three days per week in the office. The role is responsible for leading the management and oversight of an effective second-line regulatory compliance program for American Express Global Merchant Services (GMS) across Europe (EMEA) and the UK, while also supporting and, where appropriate, leading selected GMS International Compliance initiatives that require cross regional coordination, consistency and governance. It will provide strategic Compliance oversight, effective challenge and practical guidance to support the business in identifying, assessing, managing and mitigating compliance risks across multiple markets.

The Global Compliance & Ethics team plays a critical role in protecting American Express, our brand and colleagues through practical, solution-focused guidance on regulatory and ethics-related matters. Within Global Merchant Services Compliance, the GMS International Compliance team performs second-line oversight of merchant acquiring activities outside the United States, ensuring a robust and sustainable compliance risk management framework.

Reporting to the Vice President, Compliance GMS International, the Compliance Director will be responsible for maintaining a comprehensive and sustainable Compliance program for GMS in EMEA, providing oversight of regional risk management activities, and partnering with business, legal and control stakeholders to support compliance with applicable laws, regulations, enterprise policies and internal standards. The role will also contribute to the design, coordination and execution of broader GMS International Compliance priorities, including cross-market risk assessments, governance, oversight and issue management activities.

- Demonstrated experience leading a Compliance Risk Management and oversight program across multiple markets in large, complex, matrixed organisations.
- Strong understanding of regulatory requirements relevant to merchant acquiring and payments, including Anti-Money Laundering, Sanctions, Anti-Corruption, Data Privacy, Business Conduct and Payments Regulations.
- Demonstrated Compliance expertise in risk assessment, risk identification and articulation, issue resolution, and escalation to senior management and relevant company risk management forums.
- Proven ability to set the agenda on complex, evolving legal and regulatory requirements, provide effective challenge, question assumptions and critically assess information.
- Strong leadership, relationship management and collaboration skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels across a matrixed international organisation.
- Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex topics clearly and effectively to senior leaders and governance forums.
- Knowledge of merchant acquiring, alternative and emerging payment models, and associated regulatory compliance risks.
- Experienced people leader with the ability to drive results in changing and ambiguous situations.
- University degree required; Compliance, Legal or related professional qualification preferred.
- Fluency in English required

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