Manager & Counsel
This Manager & Counsel position will provide legal support across a range of B2B matters in the UK and EMEA region with a predominant focus to provide support to American Express’s Global Commercial Services (GCS) and Foreign Currency Solutions (FCS) businesses.
- Provide legal support and strategic advice to business clients across multiple business units
- Draft and negotiate a wide range of international commercial agreements and communication
- Provide legal support on various strategic marketing initiatives and agreements
- Provide legal support on acquisitions, strategic alliances and other transactions, including legal due diligence and contract drafting and negotiating
- Provide legal support on new product and service development initiatives
- Help to ensure management and the organization understands and complies with legal and regulatory requirements
- Support the GCO team in identifying and effectively managing legal risks
- Support monitoring relevant legislative developments across EMEA markets
- Manage external counsel budget, with the aim to ensure that the company receives cost effective legal advice
- A qualified lawyer, ideally with relevant professional experience at a reputable law firm or international company.
- Proven experience + PQE
- Fluent in English.
- Solid drafting, research and negotiation/influencing skills
- Solid analytical skills
- Solid understanding of general principles of law applicable to commercial practice as well as experience in areas of law applicable to payments industry
- Understanding of regulatory matters generally and areas applicable to payments industry
- Ability to work under time pressure to meet tight deadlines and clients’ expectations
- Some international travel may be required
Required Attributes
- Strategic thinker with good business understanding and analytical skills
- Skilled at effective multi-tasking - able to manage and prioritize a wide variety of matters and clients to high levels of client satisfaction
- Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing - able to communicate clearly, concisely, effectively and persuasively with internal and external clients and senior management
- Adaptability - strong team player who thrives on collaboration and understands the individual part they play in the success of a cross- functional team
- Self-sufficiency – inquisitive, takes initiative and owns their learning and development, comfortable working with minimal direct supervision
- Prepared to take the lead and make appropriate recommendations to middle and – if required – senior management. This role requires someone with credibility and presence
- Excellent relationship management and people skills – ability to adapt communication style to a broad mix of people and personalities. Ability to form and maintain strong working relationships
- Willingness to learn and grow and to leverage experience gained in this position to expand skill set for future career growth at American Express
- Ability to respond under time pressure to business issues with executable solutions clearly linked to business objectives
- Process-management skills - ability to help identify and implement improvements in work process to enhance efficiency and productivity
- Commitment to integrity
Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the UK is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.