Job Description
The Colleague Experience Group (CEG)—Amex’s Human Resources function—is responsible for all colleague-related benefits and programs globally, including career growth and development, leadership and learning, total rewards and well-being, recruitment, labor relations, colleague servicing, and more. CEG’s vision is to provide the best colleague experience every day to fuel growth, and they are committed to ensuring all of Team Amex has the resources and support they need to be and deliver their best.
This Director of Colleague Privacy sits within the Colleague Experience Group (CEG) function and reports to the Vice President, Colleague Data Office. The Director will lead the global strategy and operational support for colleague privacy, ensuring strong fundamentals with a focus on continuous process transformation and efficiencies. This is a highly visible role with enterprise-wide impact, requiring a leader who can operate effectively across a complex, matrixed environment.
This role requires expertise in colleague privacy and is a transformation-focused role that goes beyond traditional oversight. The Director will challenge the status quo, simplify and accelerate processes, and embed proactive, insight-driven risk management. Success will require balancing rigor with speed, navigating competing priorities and perspectives, and enabling the organization to move faster while maintaining strong controls and trust.
Responsibilities
- Define and execute the global strategy for colleague privacy, including Colleague Monitoring Governance, Data Subject Request processes for GDPR compliance, and first line privacy consultation.
- Lead and evolve the Colleague Monitoring Governance framework, ensuring it is risk-based, efficient, and drives actionable insights and accountability.
- Drive transformation by simplifying and modernizing processes, improving efficiency, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
- Provide clear, practical guidance to stakeholders by translating complex regulatory and risk requirements into scalable, operational solutions.
- Strengthen governance and control frameworks while reducing unnecessary complexity and friction across processes.
- Partner across Legal, Compliance, the Global Privacy Office, and CEG teams, managing competing priorities and influencing senior stakeholders to drive alignment and outcomes.
- Lead a high-performing global team, fostering accountability, speed, and innovative thinking.
Qualifications
- Proven experience leading transformation and change within risk, privacy, audit, or governance functions.
- Privacy expertise, including deep understanding of privacy regulation (e.g. GDPR, DPDP, CCPA, etc.) and experience navigating market privacy nuances.
- Strong understanding of privacy, regulatory, and risk frameworks, with the ability to operationalize them effectively.
- Demonstrated ability to balance risk discipline with speed and efficiency, and to simplify complex processes.
- Experience managing ambiguity, influencing and driving alignment among diverse stakeholders.
- Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and execution skills, with a focus on rapid delivery and practical outcomes.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex topics into clear, actionable guidance for senior leaders.
- Proven people leadership experience, with a track record of building and developing high-performing, innovative teams.
Employment eligibility to work with American Express in Spain is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.
This role may be filled as either virtual or hybrid, depending on the selected candidate’s location and business needs. Candidates who live within commuting distance of a company office may be designated as hybrid and generally will be expected to work from the office three days per week. Candidates who do not live within commuting distance of a company office may be eligible for a virtual work arrangement, subject to company policy, business needs, and applicable law. Final work arrangement will be confirmed during the hiring process.
About Us
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.
