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.

American Express' General Counsel Organization (GCO) in Mexico, is seeking a Manager and Counsel to primarily serve as legal counsel for the Global Merchant Services ("GMS") business line within the company in Mexico, an expanding and evolving area.  The successful candidate will be responsible for negotiating complex business agreements and providing strategic legal support and advice to the different teams within GMS, as well as other cross-functional teams within American Express. This position will report to the Director & Counsel based in Mexico supporting this line of business.

This role demands a proactive individual with analytical expertise, attention to detail, and the ability to navigate regulatory complexity attending and providing timely legal advice on a wide range of payment-related matters and new business initiatives and working seamlessly with colleagues around the world.  It also provides the opportunity to lead and contribute on diverse strategic projects at GMS and to collaborate with colleagues in different markets and across different business units and the GCO on meaningful business initiatives. This role requires excellent communication skills both English and Spanish, 

The GMS business, is a core business of American Express. It builds and maintains relationships with merchants who choose to accept the American Express Cards ("Amex Cards") and financial services companies that enable merchants to accept Amex Cards, simultaneously offering differentiated products and services and driving revenue growth for both merchants and American Express.  The GMS business is responsible for signing merchants to accept Amex Cards, processing Amex Cards transactions, and providing marketing and other innovative programs and services to grow our merchant-to-merchant relationships and Amex Cards acceptance.

Role & Responsibilities:

Provide legal and strategic advice on a broad range of matters impacting all different GMS relationships, all within a dynamic business and regulatory environment Draft and negotiate complex, global/local commercial contracts with leading fintech's and other merchant-acquiring partners as well as other contracts with third party vendors, business partners, commercial alliances among others (both English and Spanish) Offer thought leadership, collaboration, and legal advice on cross-functional issues and initiatives Legal advice and follow-up with outside counsels for commercial lawsuits and related topics Create and support the implementation of legal strategies  Legal analysis of new regulation or amendments to existing regulation, applicable to American Express, identifying main impacts to inform and implement them in timely manner Guide management on regulatory and compliance issues and coordinate efforts to comply with local legislation and support compliance of internal policies Provide legal advice on advertising issues being part of the committee in charge to approve marketing materials for all line of business within the company   

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Law (specialization or master degree’s desirable 5+ years of relevant work experience in a law firm and/or in-house corporate legal environment (desirable financial institutions, Fintech, and/or any other relevant participant within the payments network system in Mexico) Direct experience and knowledge in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex, commercial agreements and all other type of agreements Strong ability to communicate complex issues clearly and persuasively, in both written and oral format, and to synthesize complex issues for senior business leaders  Provide thoughtful and practice advice to the business and other cross functional teams in different legal matters related to its function Proven ability to act as a trusted advisor Ability to effectively interact at all levels within the organization and with external counterparties Expertise in the regulatory framework applicable to the payments ecosystem in Mexico. Experience advising on topics related to Consumer Protection Law/Marketing material review, Data Protection Law as well as Intellectual Property Law. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with passion for generating creative and innovative solutions  Ability to understand and integrate details of business operational/systemic environment in applying legal and policy requirements Efficient and agile regulatory analysis and implementation.  Strong interpersonal and leadership skills / communication, decision making, goals orientation & problem solving.  Proactive, less supervision required, business oriented Excellent communication skills, both verbal and writing Excellent collaboration and teamwork skills and ability to work well in cross-functional team settings. Used to work in very demanding environments Adaptability to change Advanced Business/Legal English verbal and writing Self motivated, high level of personal energy and commitment

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)  Hybrid working model   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 opportunities

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.