Sanctions Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized analyst with direct sanctions compliance experience to support the governance, execution, and continuous enhancement of the Enterprise Sanctions and PEP/Risk framework within the Policy, Procedure & Project Management pillar.

This role is primarily responsible for maintaining Enterprise Sanctions and PEP/Risk Standards, Policies, and Procedures; supporting sanctions governance activities; serving as a liaison to international sanctions compliance partners; and monitoring sanctions regulatory developments across jurisdictions. The successful candidate must have hands-on sanctions compliance experience and demonstrated experience drafting, editing, and maintaining policies, standards, procedures, or other governance documentation.

The Global Sanctions Policy, Procedure & Project Management Analyst is responsible for ensuring alignment across business lines and global markets, overseeing the review and approval of Line of Business and Market procedures, and promoting consistency with enterprise requirements and evolving regulatory expectations. The role requires the ability to translate complex regulatory and business requirements into clear, actionable, and sustainable enterprise guidance.

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. From delivering differentiated products to providing world-class customer service, we operate with a strong risk mindset, ensuring we continue to uphold our brand promise of trust, security, and service.

As part of Team Amex, you'll experience our 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.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 2+ years of direct sanctions compliance experience within a financial institution, regulatory agency, consulting firm, or similar environment
• Demonstrated experience drafting, editing, and maintaining policies, standards, procedures, or other governance documentation
• Strong understanding of sanctions screening, sanctions compliance controls, and sanctions regulatory requirements
• Strong familiarity with U.S. sanctions requirements, including OFAC regulations, and the ability to assess and communicate the impact of sanctions-related regulatory developments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex requirements into clear documentation and business guidance
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills
• Ability to work across jurisdictions, time zones, and multiple stakeholder groups in a fast-paced global environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting an Enterprise Sanctions Compliance Program
• Experience serving in a sanctions governance, policy, standards, or regulatory advisory role
• Experience with sanctions screening systems, such as Bridger
• Experience supporting audits, regulatory examinations, or compliance testing activities
• Familiarity with OFAC, UN, EU, UK, and other global sanctions regimes
• Experience working directly with international compliance partners and global business teams
• Experience developing training materials and delivering compliance-related training
• Ability to synthesize complex regulatory requirements and communicate business impacts effectively

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

This position manages sanctions-related documentation and governance activities, including version control, record retention, and maintenance of internal knowledge resources. The analyst will assess the impact of sanctions regulatory developments, support alignment across global markets and business lines, and provide guidance to stakeholders regarding Enterprise Sanctions requirements.

In addition, the analyst will serve as the primary liaison between Global Sanctions and international sanctions compliance partners, supporting cross-border risk management efforts and helping ensure consistent implementation of Enterprise Sanctions requirements across markets and regions.

The position may also support audit and regulatory examination activities, training development, project management initiatives, and other Global Sanctions priorities as needed.

This is a hybrid position and cannot be performed remotely.

This role may also support other responsibilities and functions within the Global Sanctions team as needed.

Key Responsibilities

Sanctions Policy, Procedure & Governance

• Draft, update, and maintain Enterprise Sanctions and PEP/Risk Standards, Policies, Procedures, and related governance documentation
• Review and approve Line of Business and Market procedures for alignment with Enterprise requirements and regulatory expectations
• Interpret sanctions regulatory requirements and translate them into practical business requirements and procedural guidance
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, Control Management, and business stakeholders to implement regulatory and policy changes
• Maintain documentation repositories, version control, record retention practices, and other governance-related materials
• Support governance processes related to sanctions program enhancements, procedural changes, and control implementations

International Sanctions & Regulatory Monitoring

• Serve as the primary liaison between Global Sanctions and international sanctions compliance partners across markets and regions
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with international stakeholders to support consistent implementation of Enterprise Sanctions requirements
• Monitor international sanctions developments, enforcement actions, and regulatory changes across jurisdictions
• Assess and communicate potential impacts of sanctions developments and regulatory changes to the Enterprise Sanctions Program
• Track and document relevant sanctions developments, regulatory updates, and enforcement actions across key jurisdictions
• Prepare summaries, impact assessments, briefing materials, and presentations for leadership and key stakeholders
• Provide guidance, coordination, and support to international partners regarding Enterprise Sanctions requirements and related governance matters
• Collaborate with Legal, Compliance, Technology, Control Management, GCO, and business stakeholders on cross-border sanctions matters and regulatory developments

Additional Program Support

• Support sanctions-related audits, regulatory examinations, and remediation activities, as needed
• Assist with strategic initiatives and project management activities across the Global Sanctions program
• Develop and maintain sanctions and PEP/Risk training materials, job aids, and guidance documents
• Deliver training and procedural guidance to business and compliance partners, as needed
• Support best practices related to sanctions screening, alert adjudication, governance activities, and program execution
• Contribute to other Global Sanctions priorities and initiatives as assigned