Compliance Assistant AML

American Express; Madrid; Hybrid; EUR 42,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salaries

Bonus incentives

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plan

Flexible hybrid working

Job summary

American Express is hiring within Global Risk & Compliance in Madrid to manage AML tasks, monitor suspicious activity, and perform sanctions screening. The role requires 1–3 years in Compliance or AML, a law/criminology/ADE background, and fluency in Spanish and English.

You will work with the Regional MLRO team, handling regulatory reporting and cross-functional coordination to protect customers and shareholders.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of proven experience in bank/financial/compliance or AML.
• Hands-on experience in Transaction Monitoring, Alerts Investigation, and EDD/CDD.
• Knowledge of Spanish anti-money laundering regulations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform customer profile analysis using internal/external data against sanctions lists and PEPs.
• Review suspicious transaction alerts and monitor information for risk.
• Report suspicious activities to relevant authorities timely.
• Identify and communicate suspicions with Security, Fraud, and other stakeholders.
• Carry out sanctions screening and stay updated on regulatory changes.
• Perform regulatory reporting tasks.
• Based in Madrid and report to the Regional MLRO team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Bilingual Spanish/English

Education

Law degree

Criminology degree

ADE degree

Job description

Job Description

The Global Risk & Compliance (GRC) organization serves as American Express’ independent risk management function. GRC maintains the enterprise risk framework, provides oversight and challenge, and monitors key risks. By embedding risk discipline into strategy and operations, GRC enables responsible growth, innovation, and long-term value creation while protecting customers and shareholders.

Job Description

The Global Risk & Compliance (GRC) organization serves as American Express’ independent risk management function. GRC maintains the enterprise risk framework, provides oversight and challenge, and monitors key risks. By embedding risk discipline into strategy and operations, GRC enables responsible growth, innovation, and long-term value creation while protecting customers and shareholders.

Responsibilities

This role shall perform customer profile analysis by obtaining information in internal and external media against lists of sanctioned individuals, PEPs and Factiva, as well as manage the review of suspicious transaction alerts generated, monitor information and report suspicious transactions, to protect the entity from being used for illicit purposes related to Money Laundering or Terrorist Financing.

• Timely execution of fieldwork is a key responsibility.
• Regular and timely dialogue and communication on the progress of the work and possible suspicions to the Team Leader and local Market Compliance Officers.
• Managing and responding to sanctions related alerts and investigations, ensuring timely and accurate reporting to relevant authorities.
• Ability to identify and communicate suspicions with other stakeholders (Security, Fraud, etc.) and obtain concurrence on suspicions.
• In addition, another of the functions will be to carry out sanctions screening and to keep up to date with regulatory changes in this area.
• And last but not least, all the regulatory reporting tasks.
• This position will be based in Madrid (Spain) and will report to the Regional MLRO team.

Qualifications

• Between 1 and 3 years of proven experience in a bank/financial/payment institution, within Compliance or AML, with hands-on experience in Transaction Monitoring, Alerts Investigation, and EDD/CDD.
• Degree in law, criminology or ADE.
• Strong analytical skills are required.
• Knowledge of Spanish anti-money laundering regulations and experience in areas of customer acquisition analysis or control would be an asset.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills including the ability to conceptualize and break down complex issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills in Spanish and English.
• Proven report writing on suspicious activity is required for this role.
• Capable of completing task independently with minimal direction.
• A phenomenal teammate with high standards of integrity.

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

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.

About The Team

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
• Support for financial‑well‑being and retirement
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location)
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
• Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location)
• 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

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.