Data Steward, Legal Affairs

Job ID: 26012443Posted: 2026-08-18Location: New York, NY, United StatesSalary: $103750 - $174750 annually + bonus + benefitsJob Function: LegalSchedule: Full timeWorkplace: HybridCareer Area: Corporate FunctionsCompany: American ExpressDescriptionGeneral Counsel’s OrganizationWhere great legal minds influence global business strategy.Our mission is to protect and strengthen American Express through legal expertise and strategic advice that helps our business partners manage risk, identify opportunities, and deliver on the company’s promise of exceptional products and services. Given the dynamic nature of the global payments industry and the valued partnership between our team and the business, we see it as imperative to attract and develop talented people by:Providing rich work experiences and opportunities for professional development.Recognizing and rewarding those who drive and deliver results.Respecting and valuing diversity, integrity, and personal accountability.Help propel your team and its business partners to success.Data Steward As a Data Steward you will lead the team responsible for the day-to-day compliance with the Enterprise Data Risk Management Policy. You are responsible for identifying critical data, maintaining data definitions, classifying data, supporting data sourcing / usage requests, evaluating Data Risk Controls, and confirming Data Incidents are remediated. You will partner across various business units, technology teams, and product/platform teams to define and implement the data governance strategy, monitor and manage data risks, resolve data/platform issues, and drive consistency, usability, and governance of specific product data across the organization. ResponsibilitiesHow will you make an impact in this role? Advance the established data governance principles, policies, and programs for stewardship, advocacy and custodianship of data Manage all Data Risks for the business unit, in coordination with relevant supporting roles, as described in the Enterprise Data Risk Management Policy Understanding, complying, and executing their role and responsibilities as defined under the Enterprise Data Risk Management Policy Establishing, maintaining, and testing the effectiveness of controls to manage data risk within the established Data Risk Appetite limits for the Corporate Functions Facilitate Data Incident capture and coordination by planning Data Incident remediation activities, monitoring Data Incident status for reporting, and support testing and validation Coordinate with Business Units and other Business Unit Data Offices to ensure System level Lineage is documented completely and accurately Collaborate with data owners and users to modify or implement new repeatable and reliable business processes to implement truly effective data management Partner with Third-Party Risk Management to monitor and validate that Third Parties adhere to Enterprise Data Risk Management requirements Harmonize key policies and guidelines (e.g. Data Quality, Data Definition, Data Creation, Data Sharing, Data Usage policies) with the processes necessary to carry out those policies, in collaboration with multi-functional partners Develop and produce key metrics scorecards and program status communications for the full suite of teams within Data Office QualificationsQualifications:5+ years of direct work experience in large scale/enterprise data projects, with at least 3 years of direct experience relating to creation and execution of formal data governance and/or data management programs Consistent record of understanding business challenges and strategies and connecting those to data and capabilities Strong working knowledge of current and upcoming data governance, data management and data product techniques and trends, with a point of view on the evolving concepts and standard methodologies Program management experienceDemonstrable experience of driving meaningful improvements in business value through data management and strategy Ability to work with white space to design and complete solutions to solve sophisticated challenges. High-caliber communication skills, both in terms of preparing and delivering a strategic vision and updates to large groups and senior leader Ability to put enterprise thinking first, connect the role’s agenda to enterprise priorities and balance the needs of customers, partners, colleagues & shareholders Demonstrated learning agility, ability to make decisions quickly and with the highest level of integrity Eagerness to test, learn, fail and improve is crucial Must have a positive, collaborative leadership style with colleague and customer first attitude Incident management and reporting, risk/data risk management, data architecture, data breach management, data classification and handling, data quality monitoring and improvement, and data governance/compliance management experience preferred Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.