Analyst-Exceptions Governance

Job description

**Global Merchant & Network Services (GMNS) | G****lobal Strategy, Operations, & Performance (GSOP)** **Department Overview** The **Exceptions Governance**team is part of the **Global Merchant & Network Services (GMNS)** organization within **G****lobal Strategy, Operations, & Performance (GSOP)** and is responsible for defining, governing, and monitoring adherence to American Express Merchant and Network policies globally through the administration of exception management governance forums and processes. The team plays a critical role in enabling consistent, compliant experiences across the payments ecosystem for our proprietary and network partners, and our key merchant relationships. Through strong governance, risk management, and data-driven insights, the team partners closely with GMNS leadership, Compliance, Risk, Legal, Operations, partner management and acquisition teams, to embed policy compliance into business decisions and operating models worldwide. --- **Role Overview** The Analyst – Exceptions Governance is responsible for the governance of Merchant and Network policy compliance across GMNS, ensuring exception requests are reviewed in alignment with the American Express Business & Operational Policies (BOP), Global Merchant Services (GMS) Merchant Policies, and other applicable policy frameworks.  The role partners across Risk, Compliance, Legal, and business teams to facilitate consistent, risk-informed decision-making, strengthen governance practices, and enable sustainable business growth while protecting the American Express brand. **This is an exciting opportunity to influence enterprise governance by supporting cross-functional councils, driving policy oversight, identifying process improvement opportunities, and contributing to the evolution of governance frameworks that balance innovation and risk management.** **This is a hybrid role, and will be located in the Cyber 5 office with the rest of GMNS colleagues, and will work a UK hours shift pattern Mon-Thurs and IST local pattern on Fridays.** - **Execute the global strategy** for Merchant and Network Policy Compliance aligned to enterprise risk appetite and regulatory expectations. - **Govern compliance frameworks** covering policy interpretation, enforcement, escalation, remediation, and exception management. - **Support enterprise governance forums and councils**, driving executive alignment, accountability, and decision-making. - **Provide oversight of compliance risk management**, including risk assessments, mitigation plans, and control effectiveness to support contract and exception management. - **Oversee Network Participant performance monitoring** and non-compliance actions to ensure consistent policy adherence. - **Create executive-level reporting and insights**, leveraging data and analytics to identify trends, systemic risks, and improvement opportunities. - **Partner with stakeholders** across GMNS, Partner Management, Risk, Technology, and Operations to balance growth, customer experience, and compliance. - **Anticipate emerging risks** in network payments and partner operating models and proactively embed controls into policies and processes. **Qualifications** - Strong background in **Business, Operations, Risk Management, Information Systems, or related fields** preferred, either gained through graduate education or experience. - **3+ years of experience** **in policy compliance, risk management, governance, or audit**, preferably within financial services or payments. - Proven experience in supporting **enterprise-wide programs**, governance councils, or process and controls delivery in a global environment. --- **Core Competencies** - Risk Management Excellence - Governance and Program Delivery Excellence - Data-Driven Decision Making - Customer & Brand Protection Mindset - Curiosity and Learning agility to rapidly understand new topics and risks - Executive Communication & Influencing