Job Description

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. As part of Team Amex, you'll experience this 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.

How will you make an impact in this role?

This Director & Counsel position will provide legal support to American Express's Global Merchant Services (GMS) business in the EMEA region. The successful candidate will report to the Senior Counsel who leads the legal support to GMS in EMEA and will have responsibility for leading one direct report.
Here's just some of what you'll do in this role:
Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice on different areas of laws, such as payment services regulation, anti-money laundering, commercial agreements, company law and data protection. Provide legal support and leadership on strategic initiatives new products/services. Draft and negotiate independently all types of business contracts and communications. Identify and effectively manage legal risks. Lead a junior lawyer; ensuring their professional development and contribution to the GCO team. Lead and manage GCO initiatives and tasks. Independently represent GCO at important meetings or committees, or in external forums such as with regulators. Provide strategic, tactical, and other general guidance and advice to management, whether on specific projects or transactions or in relation to standard business processes, to ensure the organization understands and complies with legal and regulatory requirements. Proactively protect the brand and reputation of American Express by legal advice and guidance to governance and management supported by energetic internal advocacy. Manage external counsel budget with the aim to ensure that the company receives cost effective legal advice in all of the different countries that this role supports.

Minimum Qualifications:

A lawyer qualified in the UK/EEA with relevant work experience in the financial sector, preferably with payment services experience. 5+ years PQE.
Required Skills:
Solid drafting, research, and negotiation/influencing skills. Ability to interpret and apply law and regulation in a practical, hands-on, common sense manner. Ability to build relationships and partner with others to drive results. Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines and deliver executable solutions clearly linked to business objectives.
Required Attributes:
Strategic thinker with good business understanding, analytical skills and a strong ability to spot legal issues across a range of subject areas. Skilled at effective multi-tasking - able to manage and prioritize a wide variety of matters and clients to high levels of client satisfaction. Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing - able to communicate clearly, concisely, effectively and persuasively with internal and external clients and senior management. Adaptability - strong team player who thrives on collaboration and understands the individual part they play in the success of a cross-functional team. Self-sufficiency - inquisitive, takes initiative and owns their learning and development, comfortable working with minimal direct supervision. Ability to lead and motivate a direct report and other members of the team. Prepared to take the lead and make appropriate recommendations to senior management - this role requires someone with credibility and presence. Excellent relationship management and people skills - ability to adapt communication style to a broad mix of people and personalities including senior business and legal team leaders. Willingness to learn and grow and to leverage experience gained in this position to expand skill set for future career growth at American Express. Process-management skills - ability to help identify and implement improvements in work process to enhance efficiency and productivity. Commitment to integrity.

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.