Manager-Legal Affairs in London

The General Counsel’s Organization (GCO) is American Express’ legal and government affairs departments, along with the Corporate Secretary's Office (which is responsible for interactions with our Board of Directors). They are responsible for protecting and strengthening American Express through world‑class 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. This is a real opportunity to help transform the approach for the company secretarial and legal entity governance support function in this region for American Express during a time of exceptional change.

Forming part of the in‑house legal department of American Express (known as the General Counsel’s Organization) in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, this role will help to provide company secretarial administration support for American Express subsidiaries in the UK. The role will report to the UK Company Secretary in the American Express General Counsel’s Organization.

Responsibilities

• Assist the UK secretariat for main American Express operating companies in the UK
• Providing Company Secretarial support to UK subsidiaries, which includes setting the agenda, independently attending board and committee meetings and drafting minutes
• Creation and collation of board and committee packs
• Effecting relevant corporate filings and updates as required for UK and European subsidiaries, branches of foreign companies established in the UK and working with internal stakeholders and outside counsel for filings relevant to local subsidiaries (and branches in other countries in the EMEA region)
• Maintain statutory records and registers and submit statutory returns
• Drafting board and shareholder resolutions
• Providing governance advice to UK boards and key stakeholders
• Assisting on board effectiveness reviews
• Enhancing and uplifting governance including drafting governance documentation and compliance with terms of reference
• Tracking board and committee activities including updates on actions, monitoring attendance etc
• Providing board trainings as required
• Providing legal and governance advice

Qualifications

• Qualified Company Secretary, Qualified UK Solicitor or equivalent qualification
• Experience of independently attending board meetings and providing advice to board directors
• Excellent record‑keeping skills with the ability to minute in great detail
• Experience of working in a similarly sized organisation
• Experience of working with key stakeholders such as the CEO, country manager and C‑Suite staff or equivalent
• Experience of working and advising on governance projects
• Experience of maintaining statutory registers and internal databases such as Diligent
• An excellent team player who is able to work independently when required
• An effective communicator with excellent interpersonal skills

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.