Manager & Counsel

You Lead the Way. We've Got Your Back.
With the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. When you join Team Amex, you become part of a global and diverse community of colleagues with an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities and each other. Here, you'll learn and grow as we help you create a career journey that's unique and meaningful to you with benefits, programs, and flexibility that support you personally and professionally.
At American Express, you'll be recognized for your contributions, leadership, and impact—every colleague has the opportunity to share in the company's success. Together, we'll win as a team, striving to uphold our company values and powerful backing promise to provide the world's best customer experience every day. And we'll do it with the utmost integrity, and in an environment where everyone is seen, heard and feels like they belong.
Join Team Amex and let's lead the way together.
Our mission is to protect and strengthen American Express through legal 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. Given the dynamic nature of the national and global payments industry and the valued partnership between our team and the business, we see it as imperative to attract and develop talented people by:
Providing rich work experiences and opportunities for professional development
Recognizing and rewarding those who drive and deliver results
Respecting and valuing diversity, integrity, and personal accountability

How will you make an impact in this role?
This position provides legal and strategic support to the Global Merchant & Network Services (GMNS) business, a core business of American Express that is fundamental to the operation of the entire American Express network. GMNS builds and maintains relationships with merchants that accept the American Express Card by signing merchants to accept the Card, processing Card transactions and providing marketing and other innovative programs and services. This position will support the Regional and Centralized Client Group organization, which manages key merchant relationships, including online/e-commerce and government merchants, throughout the United States.
Role & Responsibilities:
Here's just some of what you'll do in this role:
Draft and negotiate Card acceptance agreements and other complex commercial contracts, working in close collaboration with legal and business colleagues and other subject matter experts. 
Provide legal advice and transactional guidance on a wide range of commercial transactions and engagements with a particular focus on payment processing.
Support the client management team in maintaining and strengthening relationships with merchants and third party partners by, e.g., advising on operational challenges related to payment processing (e.g., merchant dispute resolution, fraud/data security, chargebacks) and on the development and implementation of cutting edge business solutions intended to enhance the value of American Express Card acceptance.
Support the identification and implementation of process improvements to streamline operational and marketing processes, and to reduce operational and legal/regulatory risk.
Participate in a small team of seasoned attorneys and legal managers, offering thought leadership for cross-subject matter practice group issues and projects.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree & J.D.
Admitted to New York and/or Florida Bar, or eligibility to do so
4+ years of relevant legal experience 
Demonstrated ability to draft and negotiate complex commercial agreements with minimal supervision

Preferred Qualifications
Ability to communicate complex issues clearly and persuasively, in both written and oral format 
Excellent collaboration, interpersonal and teamwork skills; ability to build relationships and partner with others to drive results 
Capacity to be agile and pivot appropriately when presented with new information or evolving circumstances 
Ability to understand and integrate details of business operational environment in providing legal/policy advice
Ability to interact effectively at all levels of the organization and with external constituencies, and to drive consensus and exert influence in a cross-functional environment
Experience in the merchant acquiring or payment processing industry
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Self-motivated, high level of personal energy and commitment 
Strong leadership skills and strong customer focus

Salary Range: $110,000.00 to $190,000.00 annually + bonus + benefits
The above 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.
We back our colleagues and their loved ones with benefits and programs that support their holistic well-being. That means we prioritize their physical, financial, and mental health through each stage of life. Benefits include:
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 ourColleague 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.
Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for this position.
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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