As the third line of defense, the Internal Audit Group's mission is to help American Express accomplish its objectives and protect organizational value by providing risk-based and objective assurance, advice and insight. IAG actively achieves this objective through a risk-based audit plan that includes a combination of audits, special projects, ongoing monitoring activities, and the validation of Internal Audit and regulatory findings.

The Vice President, Audit Skills, Competency and Development is accountable for the end-to-end ownership, governance, and effectiveness of the Internal Audit Group’s Audit Skills, Competency and Development (ASCD) program. This role ensures that the Internal Audit function is appropriately skilled, developed, and led to execute the audit plan, meet regulatory expectations, and sustain high-quality audit outcomes.

The role establishes a single, integrated operating model across audit skills, competencies, development, training and onboarding, enabling Internal Audit to demonstrate the right mix of experience and leadership required across key risk areas.

Responsibilities

Program Ownership & Governance

Serve as the accountable owner of the Audit Skills, Competency and Development (ASCD) program.

Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive ASCD operating model, including defined roles, responsibilities, decision rights, governance forums, and escalation paths across Internal Audit, Professional Practices, and CEG partners.

Ensure ASCD -related processes, controls, and oversight mechanisms are documented within Internal Audit policies, procedures, and Risk & Control Matrices (RCMs).

Workforce Strategy & Talent Risk

Partner with Internal Audit leadership to align talent strategy with the audit plan, risk profile, and regulatory priorities.

Identify and escalate talent-related risks, including critical skill gaps, succession vulnerabilities, and reliance on key individuals.

Support leadership decision-making related to hiring priorities, role design, internal mobility, and co-sourcing from a skills and risk perspective.

Talent Acquisition & Skills Strategy

Own Internal Audit job architecture and standardized job descriptions aligned to the IA competency framework.

Ensure recruiting strategies target specialized and emerging risk skills (e.g., regulatory compliance, financial crimes, model risk, technology, data, and fraud).

Strengthen bench depth and reduce dependency on individual subject matter experts through deliberate talent design

Performance Management & Leadership Accountability

Embed IA competency expectations into goal setting, performance evaluations, and calibration processes.

Drive leadership accountability for developing talent, completing required performance activities, and reinforcing audit quality behaviors.

Learning, Development & Skills Assurance

Oversee Internal Audit–wide skills assessments and training needs analyses to identify current and emerging capability gaps.

Oversee the design and execution of the Internal Audit annual training plan.

Ensure execution, and adherence with portfolio specific training plans and training maps.

Assess the effectiveness of the annual training plan in building audit-relevant expertise and improving audit quality outcomes.

Regulatory, QA & Audit Quality Alignment

Ensure ASCD practices support regulatory expectations (e.g., OCC, FRB, IIA Standards) and Internal Audit Quality Assurance requirements.

Partner with QA, Risk, and Regulatory Relations teams to remediate talent- and skills-related findings.

Provide clear, accurate talent and performance reporting to the CAE, Audit Committee, and regulators, as required.

Key Success Measures

Clearly defined ownership and operating model for Audit Skills, Competency and Development program

Improved clarity and consistency of performance management across audit portfolios

Enhanced internal training program, incorporating blended learning

Reduction in critical skill gaps and single points of failure

Strong succession coverage for leadership and key expert roles

Sustained positive QA and regulatory outcomes related to talent, skills, and audit quality

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree required

Master’s degree (MBA, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, or Organizational Development) preferred

Experience

12+ years of progressive experience within Internal Audit, Risk Management, or a regulated financial services environment

Prior experience at the Director or Vice President level within Internal Audit, Professional Practices, enterprise talent functions or Big 4.

Demonstrated experience designing or transforming Internal Audit talent, skills, or performance programs

Technical & Professional Skills

Strong understanding of Internal Audit standards, regulatory expectations, and audit quality drivers

Expertise in competency frameworks, performance management, and succession planning within IA

Experience operating within strong governance, risk, and control environments

Executive-level communication and stakeholder management skills

Leadership Competencies

Clear ownership mindset with strong execution discipline

Ability to influence Audit Leaders and senior executives without direct authority

Strategic thinker with strong change leadership and problem-solving skills

High credibility with regulators, QA, and executive stakeholders

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.

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