Analyst-Compliance

The Sanctions Analyst will assist with OFAC/Sanctions activities to ensure American Express’ activities meet all applicable regulatory requirements and standard industry practices. The Sanctions Analyst will develop a deep understanding of American Express products, services, customers, entities, and geographic locations to effectively mitigate sanctions-related risks.

Responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Serve as the primary escalation point for enterprise-wide escalations of likely sanctions matches.

· Track all escalations sent to Global Sanctions (via Bridger & sanctions email) for review, ensuring SLA thresholds are met.​

· Analyze and make decisions on all screening alerts escalated for Global Sanctions for review in Bridger.​

· Update match metrics tracking​

· Compile and edit Enterprise Wide Internal Watchlist entries​

· Complete investigations for all incremental sanctions oversight processes (IP, CADENCE, Brand Protection output, etc.).​

· Partner with MCOs/LOBCOs to identify card member information and appropriately action accounts.​

· BTL (Below the Line) testing​

· Investigate & track account closures, conduct additional account and spend analysis, block funds, & report to OFAC as required

· Oversee business and compliance inventory SLAs.​

· Provide business and compliance alert adjudication support.​

· Support enterprise inventory reporting.​

· Support match metrics reporting

· Provide subject matter expertise regarding Sanctions and PEP regulations.

· Identify regulatory OFAC/Sanctions compliance issues/concerns and make suggestions and/or take corrective actions to implement solutions to improve controls/operations.

· Investigate apparent breaches of regulation/compliance standards, make recommendations as appropriate, and execute implementation of corrective measures.

· Review and analyze OFAC/Sanctions inquiries and potential hits.

· Prepare OFAC block and reject reports.

· Investigate all AML (GAITS) referrals when sanctions concerns are identified.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in Business, Finance, Criminal Justice, Risk Management, or a related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in sanctions compliance, AML, financial crimes, compliance, risk management, or investigations within a financial institution or regulated environment.
• Basic understanding of U.S. sanctions regulations (OFAC) and global sanctions frameworks.
• Experience conducting investigations, analyzing complex information, and making risk-based decisions.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document investigative findings.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established service level agreements (SLAs).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and other Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting sanctions screening, alert adjudication, or sanctions investigations.
• Knowledge of OFAC regulations, sanctions screening processes, and sanctions compliance best practices.
• Experience with sanctions screening platforms (e.g., Bridger Insight, FircoSoft, Oracle Mantas, Actimize, or similar tools).
• Experience working with internal watchlists, sanctions reporting, or regulatory reporting obligations (e.g., OFAC blocking and rejection reports).
• Ability to interpret regulatory guidance and apply it to investigative decision-making.
• Experience partnering with cross-functional stakeholders, including Compliance, Legal, Operations, and Business teams.
• Experience identifying process improvement opportunities and enhancing operational controls.
• Relevant professional certifications such as CAMS, CGSS, or ACFCS are a plus.

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