Company Secretarial Paralegal in London

Job Description

The General Counsel’s Organization (GCO) is American Express’ legal and government affairs departments, along with the Corporate Secretary's Office, which handles interactions with the Board of Directors.

GCO protects and strengthens American Express through world‑class expertise and strategic advice that helps business partners manage risk, identify opportunities, and deliver on the company’s promise of exceptional products and services.

This role will help transform the company secretarial and legal entity governance support function in the EMEA region during a time of significant change.

In addition to defining the strategy for company secretarial support for American Express in this region, the role requires a “hands‑on” approach.

It is part of the in‑house legal department in the EMEA region and will provide company secretarial and governance support for American Express subsidiaries in the UK.

The role reports to the UK Company Secretary in the GCO.

Responsibilities

• Assist the UK secretariat for main American Express operating companies in the UK.
• Plan board meetings, coordinate and prepare board materials.
• Provide comprehensive company secretarial support to a number of boards and board committees: prepare agendas, create and collate board packs, take minutes, follow up on action points, and provide governance advice.
• Maintain board and board committee calendars, including director availability for additional meetings as necessary.
• Draft board and shareholder resolutions as required.
• Draft documentation necessary to support corporate administration: appointments and resignations, powers of attorney, delegations of authority, confirmation statements, updates to constitutional documents, issuance of share capital, declaration and payment of dividends, and related items.
• Research correct secretarial and governance procedures required by law, constitutional documents, and American Express internal policy and processes.
• Effect relevant corporate filings and updates for UK and European subsidiaries and branches of foreign companies established in the UK; work with internal stakeholders and outside counsel for filings relevant to local subsidiaries and branches in other EMEA countries.
• Maintain statutory records and registers and submit statutory returns.
• Maintain the annual calendar for policy reviews.
• Manage and monitor the use of board management software across UK entities.
• Assist with other administrative tasks related to secretariat activities, including execution of documents, liaison with stakeholders for document legalization, and management of company books and filings.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a paralegal.
• Experience in a company secretarial department or other senior administrative role.
• Understanding of the Companies Act requirements.
• Methodical approach with excellent attention to detail.
• Proactive mindset to improve processes and ensure effective secretariat functioning.
• Strong team player who can work independently when required.
• Flexible, can‑do attitude to address issues promptly and professionally.
• Ability to multitask and work to tight deadlines.
• Effective communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent record‑keeping skills and ability to minute in great detail.

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 the 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.

#J-18808-Ljbffr