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 General Counsel’s Organization (GCO) is seeking a Director & Counsel to support U.S. Small Business Card Products and related regulatory Initiatives. This attorney will provide legal and strategic advice to small business card product development teams within Global Commercial Services (GCS), draft and negotiate card benefit agreements, and support projects relating to compliance with regulatory requirements. The successful candidate will be responsible for supervising one (1) legal professional and will collaborate with colleagues across GCS and GCO on strategic initiatives.

The GCS business serves millions of business customers around the world, from mom-and-pop shops to a substantial number of Fortune 500 companies. It is a core business of American Express with a vision to be essential to our customers’ businesses every day. GCS builds and maintains relationships by offering a diverse range of payment and cashflow tools, from a wide range of traditional card products to working capital solutions to new digital solutions that make it easy for customers to manage a full range of their financial and payment needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

How will you make an impact in this role?

• Act as lead product counsel for certain small business card products and supervise one legal professional to provide legal and strategic advice to small business card product teams
• Provide legal and strategic advice on new product and feature development, card marketing, card member communications, and rewards programs
• Advise business partners and other stakeholders on the design and fulfillment of card benefits
• Negotiate, draft and review benefit agreements and draft terms for card benefits
• Partner with product and marketing teams to review and approve advertising claims and disclosures
• Apply regulatory subject matter expertise, with a particular emphasis on Truth in Lending Act and UDAP
• Participate as part of a team of seasoned attorneys and legal managers, providing leadership for practice group- and GCO-wide projects

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and J.D. from an accredited law school
• Qualified to practice law in New York in good standing
• 5+ years of relevant experience in a law firm and/or in-house corporate legal environment
• Prior experience advising banking and/or fintech clients with regard to lending products
• Deep knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations related to lending
• Experience negotiating and drafting contracts
• Experience applying UDAP to the development of lending products
• Excellent communication, analytical, problem-solving, organizational and interpersonal skills
• High level of professionalism and confidentiality, with a commitment to ethical conduct
• Must have the ability to work independently
• Must possess excellent writing skills
• Ability to communicate complex issues clearly and persuasively, in both written and oral format

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience managing complex projects in a regulated, deadline intensive environment
• Proven ability to act as a trusted advisor and synthesize complex legal issues for business leaders
• Passion for working towards creative, solution-oriented outcomes that effectively address legal requirements
• Capacity to be agile and pivot appropriately when challenged with new information or evolving circumstances
• Ability to gain credibility, manage expectations and generate buy-in through relationship building and communication
• High-energy, team oriented, self-starter with strong written and interpersonal communication skills, executive presence, and ability to effectively interact at all levels within the organization
• Must 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
• Experience in development and marketing of credit cards, is a plus

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 out Colleague Benefits Site .

American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. American Express will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For positions covered by federal and/or state banking regulations, American Express will comply with such regulations as it relates to the consideration of applicants with criminal convictions.

We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That's why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually.

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The below represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.