Director, Internal Fraud

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.

Position Overview:

The Director of Internal Fraud, Insider Threat and Conduct Risk Investigations will be responsible for detecting, investigating, and mitigating matters involving internal fraud, insider threats and possible employee misconduct across the enterprise. The ideal candidate will have a strong investigative background, excellent analytical, technical and communication skills.  Experience working within a regulated financial industry is preferred.

The role requires strong leadership capabilities and will lead complex and sensitive investigations, prepare detailed reports, and communicate findings to senior leadership and interface with regulators, auditors, and cross functional partners. This is a high impact, high visibility role reporting directly to the Global Security VP Investigations. Collaborating with every facet of the enterprise, the Internal Fraud Director will identify and advise on controls and processes to strengthen and enhance our Internal Fraud program globally. Success in this role requires strong sound judgement, discretion, and the ability to operate with the highest levels of integrity and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead internal investigations involving suspected internal fraud, misconduct, theft, data loss, bribery, or regulatory breaches by employees or third-party vendors.
• Oversee the end-to end investigative process – from case intake, triage, and evidence collection to resolution and final reporting.
• Conduct interviews with employees, witnesses, and other relevant parties while maintaining fairness and adherence to company and legal standards.
• Prepare high quality written investigative reports for internal stakeholders and, when appropriate, for external regulators or law enforcement.
• Ensure investigations are handled with discretion, fairness, timeliness, and in accordance with regulatory requirements and internal protocols.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams including, Legal, Compliance, Colleague Experience Group (HR), Technology, Risk, and Audit to support end-to-end case resolution.
• Collaborate with external law enforcement and regulatory agencies, including supporting subpoenas, referrals, and exam requests.
• Ensure investigations are conducted in accordance with local and global regulatory requirements.
• Maintain awareness of relevant laws, policies, and best practices impacting internal fraud and conduct risk.
• Identify patterns, trends, and emerging risks in employee conduct and fraud, and contribute to the development of proactive risk mitigation strategies.
• Participate in the continuous enhancement of investigative procedures, training programs, and tools.
• Provide after-hours support as needed.

Qualifications & Skills:

Required:

• Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice, Business, Finance, Risk Management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in internal investigations, corporate security, financial crimes, or a regulatory environment – preferably within banking or financial services.
• Demonstrated experience handling complex, critical investigations in a confidential and professional manner.
• Strong knowledge of fraud schemes, employee misconduct, regulatory expectations, and industry standards.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, accurate, and persuasive investigative reports.
• Confident and professional oral communicator, with experience presenting to senior executives and/or regulators.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills; attention to detail and sound judgment are essential.
• Experience working with investigative case management systems.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and emotional intelligence.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree (JD, MBA, MS in Criminal Justice, etc.)
• Certifications such as Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Anti-Money Laundering or equivalent.
• Familiarity with data loss prevention tools, forensic analysis, and case management platforms.
• Experience working with regulators or law enforcement agencies on investigative matters.
• Experience in global investigations or working across multiple jurisdictions and regulatory environments.

Additional Information:

• This position may require occasional travel.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in (country?)
• Background check and pre-employment screening required.

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 
• Support for financial-well-being and retirement 
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location) 
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need 
• Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location) 
• 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

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.