Director & Counsel, Enterprise Strategic Portfolio & Transactions

American Express•New York, NY

2d•$144,250 - $256,250•Hybrid

About The Position

The General Counsel’s Organization (GCO) is American Express’ legal and government affairs departments, along with the Corporate Secretary’s Office. They are responsible for protecting and strengthening American Express through world-class expertise and strategic advice that helps 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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.

Benefits

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