Manager & Counsel

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. As part of Team Amex, you'll experience this 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.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. As part of Team Amex, you'll experience this 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.Where great legal minds influence global business strategy.Our mission is to propel American Express (“AMEX”) through legal expertise and strategic advice that helps our business partners such as international card services team manage risk, identify opportunities, and deliver on the company’s promise of exceptional products and services. Given the rapidly evolving 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 accountabilityAMEX General Counsel’s Organization (“GCO”) is a global team that will require working with diverse international colleagues around the world. The ideal candidate is adaptable, collaborative, and exemplifies AMEX’s Blue Box Values. Candidates will be required to approach various legal issues with a balance for local and global perspectives, while being adaptable to cultural differences and nuances.Our APAC and Japan GCO team is growing and as a Manager & Counsel you will report to a Director and Counsel in Japan. You will assist in advising Japan business partners and collaborating with internal stakeholders through a broad range of corporate legal initiatives such as, governance, compliance, operational excellence, product development, regulatory affairs, and strategic projects to drive AMEX to the top of global brand recognition.We value your leadership and the positive impact you bring to our team. We, AMEX, believe great leaders inspire others, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful results.Join us and help shape a culture where integrity, inclusion, and teamwork are at the heart of everything we do.Roles and Responsibilities:Help propel your team and its business partners to success.Here’s just some of what you’ll do in this role:  1. Support Business Development. Support new development work and business initiatives. Review and advise on operational risk and related initiatives and executions.2. Manage Business Contracts. Draft, review, negotiate and amend all types of business contracts for the company.  Provide advice and assistance to management on standard agreements and terms and conditions of business or business processes.3. Manage Regulatory Affairs. Monitor and advise on proposed changes to legal requirements in Japan which impact AMEX, but is not limited to, financial services and payment systems regulation, consumer protection, digital payments, competition, data privacy, and outsourcing laws. Partner closely with Government Affairs and Compliance to support lobbying efforts, resolve issues of interpretation and advise on implementation as required.4. Deals and Strategy. Support major deals and business strategic initiatives with creative, proactive and business outcomes-focused advice, including M&A matters, strategic alliances and the structuring and negotiation of critical deals.5. Manage Dispute Resolution. Provide advice on and management of litigation, disputes and claims, whether as plaintiff or defendant. Try to seek constructive, “win-win” solutions in the interests of upholding the AMEX brand and shareholder value.6. General. Provide general guidance and advice to stakeholders on legal entity governance, business structuring and all other legal and regulatory matters that arise in a Fortune 100 company. 7. Manage legal expenses to allocated budget. Support reporting, administrative and GCO activities.  Required Experience and SkillsRequired Experience:Qualified and admitted/licensed lawyer in Japan. Candidates should have at least 5 years post-qualification experience and has up-to-date knowledge and experience with issues law enforcement, as well as such as consumer protection, marketing and advertising, corporate commercial, regulatory, litigation, risk mitigation and gen AI.Prior in-house experience with multi-national corporation or financial service sector/company preferred. Required Skills:1. Communication. Proficient oral and written communication skills both in English and Japanese, in particular the ability to explain complex legal matters clearly and concisely to business partners and other colleagues in the region.2. Relationship Building. Proven ability to build relationships and influence across peer groups and other colleagues.3. Business Acumen and Innovation. Goes beyond giving legal advice to understand broad business implications and to add value to business strategy.  Takes responsibility for understanding and solving complex problems in flexible and creative ways.4. Professional poise. Maintains grace under pressure and demonstrates the ability to impart discipline and calm to stressful situations. A persuasive advocate who speaks up on difficult issues but is also able to lay out a path to practical solutions.5. Agility and Collaboration. Works in an agile manner in collaboration with key stakeholders to drive results. Excellent time management skills and ability to balance priorities effectively to meet business needs in short timeframes.6. Energetic and practical application of legal skills and knowledge to business situations and problems.7. A positive attitude, growth mindset, will to win and a team player.8. Being a Learner. Eager to continuously learn and adapt, especially when it comes to new technologies, and open to gaining insights from colleagues across the organization.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 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 opportunitiesOffer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.