VP & Senior Counsel, Market Counsel Germany & Austria

You Lead the Way. We’ve Got Your Back.

With the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. When you join Team Amex, you become part of a global and diverse community of colleagues with an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities and each other. Here, you’ll learn and grow as we help you create a career journey that’s unique and meaningful to you with benefits, programs, and flexibility that support you personally and professionally.

At American Express, you’ll be recognized for your contributions, leadership, and impact—every colleague has the opportunity to share in the company’s success. Together, we’ll win as a team, striving to uphold our company values and powerful backing promise to provide the world’s best customer experience every day. And we’ll do it with the utmost integrity, and in an environment where everyone is seen, heard and feels like they belong.

Join Team Amex and let’s lead the way together.

Job Description:

This position is responsible for providing legal support for all of American Express’ businesses in Germany and Austria and is based in Frankfurt.

The businesses supported by the successful candidate include card issuing, merchant acquiring, insurance, and travel & lifestyle business.

This position is expected to provide local legal support for all upcoming legal questions in Germany and Austria, in cooperation with the respective GCO Line of Business Lawyer or Subject Matter Expert where necessary.

Additionally, this position will be required to provide support on various regional/EMEA projects.

The individual who assumes this position will be a member of the Executive Team in Germany and Austria and will guide and assist the other members of the Executive Team in achieving their business objectives in compliance with applicable laws. The incumbent will lead a team of two lawyers (one located in Germany, and one located in Austria) supporting the successful candidate in the fulfillment of its responsibilities.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provision of comprehensive legal advice and support for all American Express businesses in Germany and Austria and to local senior management as well as support functions.
• Ensure regulatory compliance of German and Austrian payment institution branches -amongst others -by independent decision regarding the provision of legal sign-off for projects, contracts, process amendments etc.
• Responsible for the identification and effective management of legal risks in Germany and Austria.
• Monitor relevant legislative developments at the domestic and international level (in particular EU) and provide ongoing legal support with regard to European and local legislation.
• Shape American Express legal position in regard to up-coming new laws and support any lobbying efforts from a legal perspective in alignment with Government Affairs.
• Management of complex legal customer complaints and all litigation in Germany and Austria (litigation is usually handled by outside counsel under GCO’s supervision).
• Report matters which bear a significant regulatory, financial or brand risk to management and VP/Group Counsel.
• Assist in managing all relationships with local regulators as well.
• Commercial contract work (e.g. independently draft, review and analyze of agreements and other legal documents, draft and enhance contract templates, advise on interpretation of existing agreements).
• Shaping of legal relationships amongst others through independent contract negotiations as well as the realization of American Express`s rights.
• Legal support for business on marketing initiatives (e.g. preparation of distribution, cooperation and sponsorship agreements) or other strategic initiatives (e.g. digital Initiatives).
• Examination of legal issues, including the clarification of the facts and the development and evaluation of possible solutions.
• Primary legal support for acquisitions, strategic alliances and other major transactions (including legal due diligence as well as structuring transactions, drafting and negotiating).
• Support new product development and business re-engineering initiatives.
• Proactive role in making sure management and the organization understands and complies with legal and regulatory requirements.
• 
  Briefing of outside counsel to obtain cost effective expert legal advice, management of outside counsel and external legal fees.
• Represent American Express in courts (as far as legally possible), negotiations, association meetings as well as vis-à-vis authorities and regulators.
• Legal advice to the main bodies in Germany and Austria in which the VP/Senior counsel is constantly represented: Country Executive Team, Risk Committees, Branch Governance Committee.
• Lead a team of two other lawyers located in Germany and Austria.
• Employment law and tax law are out of scope of this role.

Specific Experience Required:

• Fully qualified German lawyer (ideally with two “Prädikatsexamen”).
• Substantial practice experience (8+ years), in the payment services or banking sector.
• Fluent in English and German.
• Proven record of superior drafting skills.
• Proven record of understanding the commercial implications of legal advice.
• Proven record of ability to handle wide variety of work and balance conflicting demands to high levels of client satisfaction.
• Familiarity with laws relating to credit and charge card, travel, banking and consumer financial services as well as regulatory law applicable to banks/payment institutions. Experience in the financial services or banking sector.
• Familiar with project management, in particular the areas of outsourcing and re-engineering projects.

Required Attributes:

• Skilled at effective multi-tasking - able to manage and prioritize a wide variety of matters and client contacts at once.
• Ability to respond to business issues with workable solutions under time pressure.
• In depth understanding of payment institution and regulatory law, competition law, distribution law, corporate and commercial law, general contract law and the law on General Terms and Conditions.
• Communication skills, both orally and in writing - able to communicate clearly, concisely, effectively and persuasively with internal and external clients, senior leaders in the business and GCO.
• Process-management skills - strong knowledge management skills and ability to help identify and implement improvements in work process to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Adaptability - a team player who is able and willing to work both as part of a team and independently.
• Willingness to learn and grow and to leverage experience gained in this position to expand skill set for future career growth at American Express.
• Attention to detail.
• Strategic thinker with good business understanding and excellent analytical skills.
• Budget management skills.
• Prepared to take the lead and make appropriate recommendations to senior and middle management. This role requires someone with immediate credibility and presence, i.e. someone who commands respect.
• Excellent relationship management and people skills – ability to adapt communication style to a broad mix of people and personalities.
• Able to form and maintain strong working relationships.
• Intellectually strong - rapid grasp of key issues.

We back our colleagues and their loved ones with benefits and programs that support their holistic well-being. That means we prioritize their physical, financial, and mental health through each stage of life. Benefits include:

• 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 opportunities

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