Manager and Counsel - Credit & Consumer Law

This job is with American Express, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

You Lead the Way. We’ve Got Your Back. With the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. When you join Team Amex, you become part of a global and diverse community of colleagues with an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities and each other. Here, you’ll learn and grow as we help you create a career journey that’s unique and meaningful to you with benefits, programs, and flexibility that support you personally and professionally.

At American Express, you’ll be recognized for your contributions, leadership, and impact—every colleague has the opportunity to share in the company’s success. Together, we’ll win as a team, striving to uphold our company values and powerful backing promise to provide the world’s best customer experience every day. And we’ll do it with the utmost integrity, and in an environment where everyone is seen, heard and feels like they belong.

How will you make an impact in this role? We currently have a requirement for an ambitious lawyer who has proven experience in any retail financial services, consumer protection, consumer credit or payment services law to provide legal support for all of American Express’ proprietary consumer card issuing business units in the UK. Additionally, this position will be required to provide support on various Regional/EMEA projects or EMEA aspects of global projects.

This is a hybrid working position (3 days a week in our vibrant London HQ) and reports to a Director in the UK. In this varied and highly interesting role you will also be responsible for the following:

• Proactive role in making sure the UK American Express proprietary consumer card issuing business, and other business lines supported through this position, understand, and comply with legal and regulatory requirements. This will involve advising on all aspects of consumer law including, the Consumer Duty, FCA Handbook (particularly CONC and DISP), the Consumer Credit Act, Payment Services Regulations, and the Consumer Rights Act.
• Legal support for International Currency Cards, Insurance, Travel and other services, products, and benefits of American Express.
• The monitoring of relevant legislative developments at the domestic and international level (UK legislation and EU Directives and Regulations) and proactive analysis of their impacts and thought leadership in advising on their application to the business in particular relating to consumer credit, consumer protection, payment services and travel law.
• Working in close partnership with the Compliance Department.
• The management of outside counsel and outside legal fees and related expenses.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of applicable UK and EU law relating to some or all of: retail financial services/consumer credit, consumer protection, and/or payment services.
• Admitted to practice law in the UK or equivalent jurisdiction.
• Solid analytical skills and ability to work under time pressure to meet tight deadlines and client’s expectations.
• Strong relationship skills with proven ability to adopt a commercial, business orientated approach, take charge and “get things done”.
• Able to communicate clearly, concisely, effectively and persuasively with clients, senior business and GCO management and external parties, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to seamlessly work in a matrix structure and the willingness to add new subject areas and areas of responsibilities to portfolio.
• Excellent technical and business skills including contract drafting and budget management.
• Able and willing to work both as part of a team and independently with minimal supervision.

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
• 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.