Manager & Counsel

Overview

At American Express, our culture is built on a 175-year history of innovation, shared values and Leadership Behaviours, 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?

Where 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

We are seeking a motivated lawyer with experience in financial services or payment services law to provide legal support across the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and help coordinate international coverage, for the Credit Fraud Risk (CFR) and Global Credit and Fraud Operations (GCFO) business units within American Express.

CFR develops and enhances credit and fraud controls across American Express products, including credit and charge cards, virtual payment accounts, non-card lending, and deposit accounts. GCFO delivers critical credit and fraud operations globally across the enterprise. This role involves navigating evolving legal and regulatory issues and collaborating extensively with colleagues worldwide.

Location: London, hybrid 3 days a week in our vibrant London HQ and reports to a Director in the UK.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as GCO legal support for CFR and GCFO for EMEA markets, building trusted relationships and supporting cross jurisdictional initiatives.
• Drive legal analysis for strategic projects for CFR, GCFO, and GCO across EMEA, identifying market specific risks, legal requirements, and mitigation strategies.
• Assist with monitoring relevant UK and EU legislative and regulatory developments and provide forward-looking advice on their implications for CFR and GCFO.
• Share best practice across markets to drive consistency, knowledge transfer, and process improvements in legal and related business operations.
• Build a deep understanding of CFR and provide effective legal advice on new initiatives or modifications where appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

• Working knowledge of UK and EU laws relating to financial services and/or payment services.
• Admitted to practice law in the UK or another relevant jurisdiction.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to deliver high quality work under tight deadlines.
• Commercial and solutions-orientated mindset with the ability to identify legal risk across diverse subject areas.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and advise stakeholders – including senior leadership across international markets.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrix structure and take on new areas of responsibility as business needs evolve.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, with strong prioritization and multitasking capabilities.
• Strong relationship building skills and the ability to adapt communication styles to different audiences and personalities.
• Willingness to learn and grow and to leverage experience gained in this position to expand skill set for future career growth at American Express.

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

Benefits

• 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.