Director & Counsel, Enterprise Strategic Portfolio & Transactions

Job Description

The General Counsel’s Organization:

The General Counsel’s Organization (GCO) is American Express’ legal and government affairs departments, along with the Corporate Secretary’s Office (which is responsible for interactions with our Board of Directors). They are responsible for protecting and strengthening American Express through world-class 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.

As a Director & Counsel, Enterprise Strategic Portfolio & Transactions, you’ll lead negotiations and provide legal support across a wide range of complex technology, procurement and outsourcing transactions. Your work will span cloud, AI, software, marketing technology, infrastructure, consulting, hardware, and services agreements, including some of the most critical supplier relationships American Express depends on.

As part of a global legal team, you’ll work closely with other lawyers, procurement teams, and technology and business stakeholders across the enterprise to drive deal strategy and structure, negotiate complex agreements, and provide practical legal counsel on a wide range of commercial matters. The transactions you support will be critical to how American Express operates, innovates and grows its business while managing contractual and other risks.

We look forward to reviewing your application.We value application materials written in your own voice.

Responsibilities

How will you make an impact in this role?

• Structure, draft, and negotiate a variety of complex agreements, including cloud, AI, software, marketing technology, infrastructure, consulting, hardware, and services agreements.
• Provide strategic legal counsel to procurement, technology, product and business teams on a range of contract and related issues.
• Lead cross-functional teams supporting complex transactions, driving clear deal strategy, robust knowledge sharing, and consistent enterprise positions across deals.
• Advise on ongoing supplier relationships, including potential governance, compliance and risk management issues.
• Support teams developing and maintaining agreement templates, fallback positions, negotiation playbooks, and associated toolkits.
• Support teams handling due diligence, transition services agreements, and integration activities in the context of acquisitions.
• Track industry, legal and market developments.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. with admission to practice law in the United States. Admission to the New York Bar in good standing, or eligibility to obtain it.
• 5+ years of experience in a relevant practice group at a law firm and/or in-house corporate legal department.
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Ability to translate technical and regulatory concepts into plain English and actionable guidance for non-lawyers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a “technology transactions,” “IP transactions,” “strategic sourcing,” or equivalent practice group.
• Experience advising on AI, data and emerging technology agreements.
• Experience working at or with technology and financial services companies.
• Familiarity with financial services regulatory requirements.

Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.

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

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.

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.​