Manager & Counsel, Small Business Card Products

JOB DESCRIPTION

The General Counsel’s Organization

The General Counsel’s Organization (GCO) of American Express is where great legal minds influence global business strategy. The GCO mission is to protect and strengthen American Express through legal expertise and strategic advice that helps business partners manage risk, identify opportunities, and deliver on the company’s promise of exceptional products and services.

Small Business Card Product Counsel

The U.S. Commercial Services team of the General Counsel’s Organization (GCO) is seeking a Manager & Counsel to support Small Business Card Products and Regulatory Initiatives. The position will work closely with business partners, legal professionals in the GCO, and stakeholders across the enterprise, to provide legal advice to small business card product development teams. This position will also monitor applicable regulations as well as interpret and help implement regulatory requirements.

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?

• Participate as part of a team of seasoned attorneys serving as the primary business lawyers and strategic advisors to our Small Business Card business

• Support the business in navigating an increasingly complex and evolving regulatory landscape

• Provide legal advice and strategic support to business clients responsible for Small Business Cards on a wide range of matters, including business development initiatives, strategic negotiations, new product development, issue resolution, customer marketing and customer communications

• Partner with Line of Business Compliance, Privacy, Information Security, Global Marketing and Control Management teams to drive business results

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders including Compliance, Privacy, Control Management, Finance and Government Affairs to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and mitigate legal, operational, regulatory and reputational risks
• Partner with GCO colleagues to share knowledge and best practices and participate on GCO-wide projects

• Provide strategic counsel to business clients on ad hoc issues that arise during day-to-day operations

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and J.D.

• Admission to practice law in New York in good standing

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

• High-energy, self-starter with strong written and interpersonal communication skills

• Ability to gain credibility, manage expectations and generate buy-in through relationship building and communication

• Capacity to be agile and pivot appropriately when challenged with new information or evolving circumstances

• Ability to handle multiple workstreams simultaneously, take on new responsibilities and prioritize work in a dynamic, deadline intensive environment

• Work well in cross-functional team settings and have a keen eye for initiating and driving end to end process improvements to enhance efficiency and productivity

• Capacity to operate independently and discern when matters require escalation

• Proven ability to act as a trusted advisor to business teams and distill complex matters into digestible communications and frameworks

• Desire and ability to develop creative solutions to novel issues as they arise, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies

• Familiarity with Federal regulations and financial services regulatory environment

• Experience with credit/lending related products

Preferred Qualifications:

• High-energy, self-starter with strong written and interpersonal communication skills

• Ability to gain credibility, manage expectations and generate buy-in through relationship building and communication

• Capacity to be agile and pivot appropriately when challenged with new information or evolving circumstances

• Ability to handle multiple workstreams simultaneously, take on new responsibilities and prioritize work in a dynamic, deadline intensive environment

• Work well in cross-functional team settings and have a keen eye for initiating and driving end to end process improvements to enhance efficiency and productivity

• Capacity to operate independently and discern when matters require escalation

• Proven ability to act as a trusted advisor to business teams and distill complex matters into digestible communications and frameworks

• Desire and ability to develop creative solutions to novel issues as they arise, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies

• Familiarity with Federal regulations and financial services regulatory environment

• Experience with credit/lending related products