Job Description

General Counsel’s Organization:
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 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
  

You will be part of a dynamic and driven team of lawyers in the Asia General Counsel’s Organization. In this regional role, you will be primarily responsible for supporting American Express businesses across Asia, with a primary focus on supporting effective implementation of the corporate and legal entity governance program in APAC. You will also provide legal support to the South East Asia proprietary business from time to time. This position will report to a Vice President and Senior Counsel based in Singapore.
Your role will include the following:
1. Corporate and legal entity governance program. Advising, enhancing and supporting implementation of the corporate and legal entity governance program in APAC (including Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Japan) to facilitate effective governance through efficient and streamlined approaches. This includes the following:

• Developing corporate governance best practices handbook, terms of reference and other related templates for APAC in accordance with applicable laws and American Express policies
• Proactively monitor new corporate / legal entity governance related legislative and regulatory developments across the APAC region
• Coordinating shareholder and board meetings and providing corporate secretarial support for American Express entities in APAC (including liaising with relevant stakeholders/outside counsel to prepare the meeting agenda and materials, and minutes-taking)
• Conducting / coordinating Director Training sessions to facilitate effective and confident discharge of the board’s obligations
• Coordinate with outside counsel on filings and maintenance of registers/records and ensure compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements
• Collaborate with colleagues in a matrixed global organization, including board members, country executive teams, General Counsel’s Organization, Finance, Operational Risk, Compliance and other cross-functional colleagues in APAC and globally to support and implement the Legal Entity Governance Framework and other internal governance and approval processes
  

2. Legal support to the proprietary business in South East Asia region. Support the South East Asia practice group from time to time, including the following:

• Deals and Strategy. Support major deals and business strategy initiatives with creative, proactive and business outcomes-focused advice, including transactions relating to strategic alliances and partnerships, M&As, and structuring and negotiation of critical deals involving the creation, dissolution and/or making of material changes to legal entities
• Handle Business Contracts. Draft, review and negotiate business contracts for the company. Provide advice and assistance to management on standard agreements and terms and conditions of business or business processes.
• Support Business Development. Support new product development work and business initiatives, including digital & online products and functionalities. Review and advise on marketing and advertising initiatives and executions.
  

3. General. Provide general guidance and advice to management on legal entity governance, business structuring and all other legal and regulatory matters that arise in a Fortune 500 company.
4. Reporting, administrative and GCO activities.
Required Experience and Skills

• Communication. First class oral and written communication skills, in particular, the ability to explain complex legal matters clearly and concisely to non-specialists.
• Professional poise. Maintains grace under pressure and demonstrates the ability to impart discipline and calm to stressful situations. Holds their own in live discussions where differing views are expressed. A persuasive advocate who is not afraid to convey unwelcome messages yet lays out a path to practical solutions.
• A self-starter who takes ownership. Takes the initiative to learn independently rather than passively. Sees what needs to be done and then does it. Takes responsibility for understanding and solving problems.
• Qualified and admitted/licensed lawyer in Commonwealth jurisdiction. Candidates should have at least 3-7 years post-qualification experience. Prior in-house experience in payments, banking or multi-national/listed corporation (which includes a corporate governance portfolio) preferred.
• Energetic and practical application of legal skills and knowledge to business situations and problems.
• Build effective relationships and credibility throughout the company.
• Manage workload by careful prioritization and personal organization.
• Stay abreast of developments in critical legal areas: corporate/legal entity governance, financial services and payments, consumer protection, data privacy, anti-trust, outsourcing, etc.
  

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.
Why American Express?
At American Express, we know that with the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. Whether we’re supporting our customers’ financial confidence to move ahead, taking commerce to new heights, or encouraging people to explore the world, our colleagues are constantly redefining what’s possible — and we’re proud to back each other every step of the way. When you join #TeamAmex, you become part of a diverse community of over 60,000 colleagues, all with a common goal to deliver an exceptional customer experience every day. 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.