Director & Counsel, Enterprise Strategic Portfolio & Transactions

Justia, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

American Express is seeking a Director & Counsel in the General Counsel’s Organization to lead negotiations and provide legal support across complex technology, procurement and outsourcing transactions. The role covers cloud, AI, software, marketing technology, infrastructure, consulting, hardware, and services agreements.

You will work with procurement, technology, product and business teams to shape deal strategy, negotiate complex agreements, and manage risk across a global enterprise.

Qualifications

• J.D. with admission to practice law in the United States; NY Bar eligibility
• 5+ years of experience in a relevant practice 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 for non-lawyers

Responsibilities

• Structure, draft, and negotiate a variety of complex technology, procurement, and outsourcing 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 contract and related issues.
• Lead cross-functional teams supporting complex transactions and drive clear deal strategy and enterprise positions across deals.
• Advise on ongoing supplier relationships, governance, compliance and risk management issues.
• Support teams developing and maintaining agreement templates, negotiation playbooks, and related toolkits.
• Support teams handling due diligence, transition services agreements, and integration activities in acquisitions.
• Track industry, legal and market developments.

Skills

Negotiation of complex agreements

Plain English guidance

Regulatory understanding

Education

J.D.

NY Bar admission or eligibility

Job description

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.