Director – Data Governance & Management; Embedded Data Controls

Location: Phoenix
Posted on: June 23, 2025

Job Description:

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. Joining Amex Tech means discovering and shaping your contribution to something big. Here, you can work alongside talented tech teams and build a unique career with the Powerful Backing of American Express. With a range of opportunities to work with the latest technologies, and a commitment to back the broader engineering community through open source, our mission is to power your success. Because Amex Tech is powered by our technology, our culture, and our colleagues. Enterprise Data Management & Products (EDMP), a key part of our Technology organization, focuses on delivering data products that fuel business growth and unlock value, while also shaping robust data management strategies and governance solutions. Our aim is to propel growth, unlock potential, enhance efficiency, manage risk, and foster talent. By prioritizing enterprise growth across all sectors, we create solutions that enhance satisfaction and value, streamline operations for scalability, and maintain trust and security. The Enterprise Data Office (EDO) is part of EDMP organization and sets the enterprise strategy for and delivery of critical data-related initiatives required to accelerate the ongoing digital transformation of American Express products and services, enhance the overall customer experience, strengthen our data strategy and practices, and drive our continued growth. American Express continues to invest in enterprise data management, and as part of the journey, we are seeking a Director of Embedded Data Controls to champion the integration of data control requirements into our established governance frameworks. Reporting to the VP, Data Controls Implementation, this pivotal role will serve as the subject matter expert for the Data Risk Pillar, ensuring that data risks are effectively addressed ‘by design’ across critical business processes. You will partner closely with various governance functions and business units to embed robust data controls within our New Products Governance (NPG), Third-Party Lifecycle Management (TLM) Governance, Generative AI (GenAI) Governance, and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) governance processes. Primary Responsibilities: • Lead and develop a team to collaborate with the Data Policy and Standards team to maintain a robust understanding of current and planned data management requirements and principles • Serve as the primary subject matter expert for the Data Risk Pillar, providing guidance and expertise on data risk identification, assessment, and control implementation within existing governance structures • Collaborate with governance process owners to customize inherent data risk assessments within their respective frameworks to ensure comprehensive coverage of data related risks • Design and maintain detailed data risk assessment questionnaires tailored for integration into governance processes such as NPG, TLM, GenAI initiatives, and M&A. • Work closely with owners of key governance processes to seamlessly integrate data risk assessments and control requirements into their workflows and approval criteria • Engage with federated data offices within the business units to facilitate the assessment of data risks associated with new products, generative AI use cases, third-party engagements and potential acquisitions • Champion the principle of embedding data controls ‘by design’ in the early stages of new product development, generative AI use-case design, third-party onboarding and M&A due diligence • Provide guidance and support to business units and governance process owners on how to effectively conduct data risk assessments using the customized questionnaires and integrate results into decision-making processes • Collaborate with relevant teams to credibly challenge risk assessment responses and monitor effectiveness of embedded data controls within the various governance processes • Develop and present training and awareness content to governance process stakeholders and business units on the importance of embedded data controls and how to utilize the risk assessment tools Qualification Requirements: • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Information Technology, Data Science, Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management or a related discipline • 8 years of experience in data management, data governance, risk management, internal controls or audit within the financial services industry • Experience as a people leader • Experience with data risk principles and frameworks with proven ability to translate these principles into practical control requirements • 6 years’ experience working with financial services regulations and their implications for data risk management, as well as experience in roles involving policy and standards adherence Preferred Qualifications: • Prior experience with New Product, Third Party, AI Governance processes desired • Significant experience in working with and influencing governance processes within a complex organization • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills with the ability to understand complex business processes and identify opportunities for embedding controls • Exceptional communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders across different functions and levels • Relevant certifications such as CISA, CISM, CDMP, or CRISC • Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple integration efforts concurrently Salary Range: $150,000.00 to $225,000.00 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

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