Director & Counsel, Global Merchant and Network Services (GMNS)

JOB DESCRIPTION

The General Counsel's organization at American Express is seeking a Director & Counsel to support the merchant client teams within the Global Merchant and Network Services business (GMNS). The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to business partners, helping to execute commercial strategy while managing legal, regulatory, and operational risk. They will provide strategic counsel and transactional support across a portfolio of merchant relationships, including government and public sector merchants.

This role will involve broad collaboration and coordination within the business and with relevant stakeholders and will serve as a subject matter expert on industry rules and/or standards. The position will report to Vice President & Senior Counsel in the GMNS practice group of the General Counsel's Organization (GCO) of American Express.

The GMNS business is a core business of American Express and fundamental to the operation of the American Express global payments network. The GMNS business is responsible for signing merchants to accept the American Express Card, processing card transactions, and providing marketing and other innovative programs and services to grow our merchant and card acceptance relationships.

ABOUT US

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. From delivering differentiated products to providing world-class customer service, we operate with a strong risk mindset, ensuring we continue to uphold our brand promise of trust, security, and service.

As part of Team Amex, you’ll experience our 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.

ABOUT THE TEAM

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
• 6% Company Match on retirement savings plan
• Free financial coaching and financial well-being support
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
• 20+ weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy
• 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

For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site.

RESPONSIBILITIES

How will you make an impact in this role?

• Provide primary legal support for GMNS business teams managing key merchant relationships, working on a wide variety of matters such as commercial contracting, risk identification and mitigation, data issues, disputes handling, and new product offerings.

• Working in close collaboration with the business and across the GCO, draft, negotiate, and advise on all types and aspects of commercial agreements relating to our most strategic merchants headquartered in the U.S., including complex card acceptance agreements.

• Advise on unique compliance frameworks applicable to public sector entities (e.g., procurement rules, audit rights, regulatory requirements), and build scalable approaches to support a growing government merchant portfolio, including contributing to a government contracting center of excellence.

• Provide legal advice and strategic support to GMS business teams on legal and policy matters, business negotiations, marketing and information services, issues and programs, and regulatory and legal risks.

• Coordinate with and support others in the GCO, Compliance, Operational Risk, and the business to ensure the most effective support and relevant expertise is applied to matters.

• Participate in a small team of seasoned attorneys offering thought leadership for cross-subject matter practice group issues and projects.

• Support GMS Compliance and GMS OpsExcellence in a wide range of initiatives, from operational risk event responses to ongoing support of compliance monitoring and implementation.

• Build and provide strong linkages across US and global teams to ensure consistency of approach and sharing of knowledge, best practices and current regional trends/developments.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• J.D. with admission to practice law in the U.S.

• 7+ years of relevant work experience in a law firm and/or in-house corporate legal environment.

• Significant experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the payments industry and merchant acquiring space.

• Demonstrated experience with government contracting (federal, state, or local), including navigating procurement frameworks and compliance requirements (preferred).

• Strong project management and coordination skills.

• Ability to communicate complex issues clearly and persuasively, in both oral and written format.

• Excellent collaboration and teamwork skills and ability to work well in cross-functional team settings.

• Ability to manage and prioritize competing demands while maintaining high attention to detail and meeting deadlines.

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