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.

In this role, you will be part of the General Counsel's Office, where great legal minds influence global business strategy. 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 global payments industry and the valued partnership between our team and the business, we 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

You are an experienced financial services qualified regulatory lawyer in the EU to join our General Counsel's Organization (GCO) at American Express as Manager and Counsel located in either Frankfurt, Madrid or London. You will be part of the multi-disciplinary Global Legal Policy and Strategy team, which comprises both competition and financial services lawyers. The role will report directly to the Director and Counsel responsible for advising on AML matters in the EMEA region. Some of your tasks will be to:

• Advise on, track and report on financial crime matters for American Express in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region and partner with colleagues to advise on analogous strategic regulation and emerging regulatory and policy trends globally.
• Support all lines of business within American Express. Key business areas include financial crimes, card issuing, merchant acquiring and compliance generally, all with the overlay of a dynamic environment involving emerging and evolving digital/mobile and data-driven technologies and capabilities.
• Partner closely and interface with other GCO lawyers, business colleagues, Compliance, Operational Risk, Government Affairs, and external bodies, local regulators, and industry trade groups.

Primary Responsibilities include:

• Advising on AML, counter-terrorist finance, anti-corruption and financial sanctions legislation and supervision and helping to develop American Express global policy, strategy and approach in these critical areas, including supporting the International AML Centre of Excellence and providing technical and strategic advice to Compliance, Operational Excellence, Government Affairs and the business.
• Advising on and supporting stakeholders in the organisation with the requirements of financial crime legislation including the AML Directive, the new EU AML Package, the EU/UK sanctions framework.
• Advising on cross-border structures, applicable laws and arrangements with third parties.
• Taking a lead in the regulatory change management process by monitoring regulatory developments at EU, UK and global level relating to financial crimes and financial services.
• Assisting external engagement efforts at EU and national level as well as potentially other regions globally to ensure regulation is proportionately tailored according to different business models. Assisting in the development of American Express strategy in response to and anticipation of regulatory developments in the financial crime sector.
• Instructing and finalising legal opinions/advice from outside counsel as needed.

Your Qualifications:

• German 2nd state exam or equivalent in any other EU jurisdiction (e.g., avocat, avvocato, abogado)
• At least 3 years of significant working experience post-qualification, ideally in financial crime matters in a law firm, regulator or in-house.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following areas would be ideal AML and CFT, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, internal controls. Willingness to learn and become expert in these fields.
• Fluency in English. Working proficiency desirable in German, French, Spanish and/or Italian.

You are the ideal candidate if you can demonstrate the following:

• High engagement – passionate about financial crime regulatory matters.
• Skilled at multi-tasking - able to manage and prioritise a wide variety of matters and client contacts at once, and comfortable working autonomously.
• Solid drafting, research and negotiation/influencing skills. Commercial awareness – able to interpret and apply regulation in a pragmatic manner.
• Communication skills – personable, able to communicate clearly, concisely, effectively and persuasively with clients, all levels of business, legal management and external regulators.
• Comfortable with speaking up in meetings and briefing stakeholders orally and in writing.
• Process-management skills - strong knowledge-management and organisational skills, and willingness to help identify and implement improvements in work process to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Adaptable and collaborative - able and willing to work both as part of a team and independently, under supervision of more senior lawyers where appropriate.
• Willingness to learn and grow - willing to learn business sectors relevant to American Express as well as the applicable regulatory environment and to leverage experience gained in this position to expand skill set for future career growth at American Express.
• Strategic thinker with good analytical skills, attention to detail even under time pressure.
• Strong relationship focus - able to build solid working relationships with clients, colleagues and external parties. Enjoys getting to know people.
• Commitment to integrity and American Express values, with high personal work standards.

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
• Support for financial-well-being and retirement
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location)
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
• Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location)
• 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

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.