Director-Audit, Payment Networks

The Role

The Internal Audit Group (IAG) provides independent, risk-based assurance, advice, and insight, conducting enterprise-wide process, financial, compliance, and technology audits, and special projects and investigations. IAG supports the Board’s governance, validates regulatory findings, and uses data-driven audits to enable responsible innovation, strengthen controls, and fuel sustainable growth.

The Internal Audit Group (IAG) is seeking a Director, Global Merchant & Network Services Payments, to provide independent assurance over the company's Payments ecosystem. This role will lead and execute complex audit activities across payment products, payment networks, merchant services, settlement operations, and emerging payment capabilities while evaluating governance, risk management, and control effectiveness across the end-to-end payments value chain.

The successful candidate will possess deep payments industry expertise and leverage strong audit judgment to assess evolving risks associated with payment products, network rules, merchant acquiring, fund flows, regulatory compliance, fraud risk, operational resilience, and strategic transformation initiatives. The Director will partner with audit leadership and enterprise stakeholders to deliver high-quality, risk-based assurance and provide meaningful insight into emerging risks affecting the payments landscape.

As a Director within Internal Audit, this role is expected to lead complex audit engagements, influence senior stakeholders, mentor junior auditors, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of the Payments audit strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex audits covering payments, payment network operations, network governance, payment products, merchant acquiring, settlement, clearing, authorization, and payment processing capabilities. 
• Assess risks associated with payment network operating rules, network compliance programs, interchange processes, merchant acceptance, and strategic network initiatives. 
• Evaluate governance and internal controls supporting end-to-end payment transaction processing, including authorization, clearing, settlement, reconciliation, chargebacks, and exception management. 
• Assess risks arising from payment product development, network enhancements, digital payments, tokenization, embedded finance, and emerging payment technologies. 
• Evaluate third-party relationships including payment processors, payment facilitators, fintech partners, and outsourced service providers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of global payment network operating models, payment transaction lifecycles, network rules, settlement processes, and merchant acquiring.
• Experience assessing risks across payment products, payment operations, and payment technology platforms.
• Experience working directly with a global payment network, payment processor, merchant acquirer, issuer, or financial institution supporting payment network operations.
• Strong understanding of regulatory expectations applicable to payment services, financial institutions, and payment network operating rules.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex audit engagements and communicate effectively with executive leadership.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, stakeholder management, and written communication skills.
• 8+ years of experience in Internal Audit, Risk Management, Compliance, Payments, or a related financial services function.
• Professional certification such as CIA, CPA, CISA, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency in:
  • Payment ecosystem and fund flow analysis 
  • Payment network operating models and network capability assessment 
  • Settlement, clearing, reconciliation, and exception processing 
  • Product development and payment innovation risk 
  • Regulatory and network compliance assessment 
  • Payment architecture and transaction processing platforms 
  • Third-party payment ecosystems, including processors, payment facilitators, and fintech partnerships 

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

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.