Senior Special Agent - Investigations & Security Services at American Express

• This position is responsible for managing Global Security activities with the assigned location of Lagos, Nigeria with the responsibility of other assigned geographic markets/territories of Africa
• The Global Security activities will be Investigations, Physical Security, Crisis Management and Executive Protection.

How will you make an impact in this role?

Investigation Responsibilities:

• This position will manage, coordinate and personally conduct investigations of suspected internal and external fraud and misconduct against American Express and their partners within the assigned location.
• Contribute to the reduction and control of fraud losses by effectively managing investigations of suspected fraud against American Express and its subsidiaries.  

Security Services Responsibilities:

• This position will manage the safety and security of employees, contractors, vendors, and visitors. Provide advice and assistance on security and security-related matters to senior business leaders. Identify areas of vulnerability and develop/implement proactive plans and programs to address these areas and support the changing needs of the business.
• Supervise and coordinate with contract security vendors to ensure security officers are managed effectively.  Conduct security audits and physical site reviews utilizing the Security Assessment Modelling (SAM) as well as risk assessments for potentially new sites/facilities. Lead the local Crisis Response Team for Nigeria. Liaise directly with relevant Crisis Response Team (CRT) Leaders and EMEA Global Security Operations Centres (GSOC)
• Coordinate and support the CEO and other senior executives travelling in the assigned geographic area: African continent.
• Establish and maintain close contact with our assigned third party security vendor
• Plan and monitor expenditures within a budget. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Investigations

• Highly developed interviewing skills; strong investigative/analytical capabilities with a good understanding of the fraud and risk environment within the assigned geographic areas.
• Deliver investigations assignments in a quality and timely manner including obtain and prepare evidence and information needed to support the case
• Effective prioritization of work time to ensure productivity, fulfil department standards for time spent and individually prioritize multiple tasks competing urgency.
• Lead counter fraud activities in the region. Assist and support in fraud prevention including training sessions with key partners to build fraud risk awareness throughout the region.
• Ability to interact with a wide spectrum of constituents from business partners to law enforcement to customers and to develop and maintain an effective network of local law enforcement contacts.
• A good understanding of cyber investigations.
• Knowledge of local prosecutorial guidelines and associated criminal laws.
• An understanding of privacy laws and the Company’s privacy code to know what information can be shared with law enforcement or other parties.
• Ability to maintain high levels of confidentiality and data security standards.
• Experience with Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Flexibility to travel across the sub-Saharan region of Africa in support of investigations.
• Excellent communication skills in English and preferably the local language.

Security Services

• Thorough and highly developed understanding of corporate investigations, physical security, crisis management and executive protection.
• Strong organizational, managerial and communication skills to effectively direct security activities in a culturally diverse work force and handle emergencies, crises and stressful situations calmly, quickly and professionally.
• Ability to self-motivate, lead and inspire others to overcome obstacles and achieve goals together with the ability to resolve conflict and lead by example in a team-based environment.
• Ability to determine and establish appropriate levels of security coverage, foresee issues and plan responses for any security-related events/incidents that may occur.
• Experience in working with physical security equipment (e.g., access control, biometric devices, CCTV, networking applications, etc.).
• Ability to work independently while keeping the Regional Director and Vice President apprised of situations that occur.
• Ability to conduct and produce monthly reports on regional security situation to senior leaders, highlighting potential impact to American Express operations and personnel. In addition, provide comprehensive annual security review of American Express regional offices.  Support and advise on proposed location and selection.  Make recommendations on protective security to ensure it meets and maintains American Express policy and compliance.
• Ensure all American Express business travellers are fully supported by our third party security provider.  Supervise and review all such visits across Nigeria and neighbouring countries, if deemed necessary.  Conduct advance venue security assessments in line with each travellers proposed itinerary.  Providing, a conduit between the traveller and the security vendor. Assist in the annual vendor review, to ensure compliance to American Express policies.
• Flexibility to travel across the sub-Saharan region of Africa in support of Executive Protection.
• Ability to be single point of contact in case of crisis impacting American Express operations or personnel within the region. Liaise directly with relevant leaders and operation centre.
• Excellent communication skills in English and preferably the local language.
• Years of Experience: Minimum of 7 years corporate security/investigation experience with 5 years in a management role.

We back our colleagues and their loved ones with benefits and programs that support their holistic well-being. That means we prioritize their physical, financial, and mental health through each stage of life. Benefits include:

• Competitive base salaries 
• Bonus incentives 

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