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.

General Counsel's Organization:

Where great legal minds influence global business strategy.

You will be part of a dynamic and driven team of lawyers in the APAC General Counsel's Organization ("GCO"), who are responsible for legal and regulatory matters relating to the American Express business in the region.  Reporting directly to the Head of Legal, Japan (VP & Senior Counsel), you will lead a team to provide strategic legal support to our growing merchant acquiring business in Japan.  You will advise Japan senior management and collaborate with internal stakeholders on a broad range of legal initiatives such as merchant/intermediary regulations, privacy, AML, Anti-Trust, governance, regulatory compliance, and other matters.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Help propel your team and its business partners to success.

Your roles and responsibilities will include:

1.     Support Business Development. Support business initiatives for the merchant acquiring business, including managing key partners with compliance with company-wide requirements. Review and advise on merchant acquiring, risk management, operational risk and related initiatives and executions.

2.     Manage Business Contracts. Draft, review, negotiate and amend all types of business contracts for the company.  Provide advice and assistance to management on standard agreements and terms and conditions of business or business processes.

3.     Manage Regulatory Affairs. Monitor and advise on proposed changes to legal requirements in Japan which impact American Express. This includes merchant acquirer and intermediary regulation, AML, competition, data privacy and outsourcing laws. Partner closely with Government Affairs and Compliance to support lobbying efforts, resolve issues of interpretation and advise on implementation as required.

4.     Deals and Strategy. Support major deals and business strategic initiatives with creative, proactive and business outcomes-focused advice, including structuring and negotiation on critical deals.

5.     General. Provide general guidance and advice to senior management on legal entity governance, business structuring and all other legal and regulatory matters. 

6.     Manage legal expenses to allocated budget. Support reporting, administrative and GCO activities.

Required Experience and Skills

Minimum Experience:

1.     Qualified and admitted/licensed lawyer in Japan.  The ideal candidate would have at least 10 years post-qualification experience in payment industry.  Prior in-house experience with financial institution or multi-national corporation preferred. 

2.     Team management. Experienced people leader with proven ability to manage a team/ develop talent to fully maximize their potential.

3.     Language. Fluent in both written and spoken Japanese and English with proven ability to draft and negotiate complex contracts in both languages.  

Required Skills:

1.     Communication. Excellent oral and written communication skills, in particular the ability to explain complex legal matters clearly and concisely to senior business and other colleagues in the region.

2.     Relationship Building. Proven ability to build relationships and influence at senior levels of management and across peer groups and other colleagues.

3.     Business Acumen and Innovation. Goes beyond giving legal advice to understand broad business implications and to add value to business strategy.  Takes responsibility for understanding and solving complex problems in flexible and creative ways.

4.     Professional poise. Maintains grace under pressure and demonstrates the ability to impart discipline and calm to stressful situations. A persuasive advocate who speaks up on difficult issues but is also able to lay out a path to practical solutions.

5.     Agility and Collaboration. Works in an agile manner in collaboration with key stakeholders to drive results. Excellent time management skills and ability to balance priorities effectively to meet business needs in short timeframes.

6.     Energetic and practical application of legal skills and knowledge to business situations and problems.

7.     A positive attitude, demonstrates growth mindset, will to win as a team player.

Given the dynamic nature of the global payments industry and the valued partnership between our legal team and the business, we see it as imperative to attract and develop talented people by:

Providing a rich work experience and opportunities for professional development

Recognizing and rewarding colleagues who drive and deliver results

Respecting and valuing diversity and integrity

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) 
• 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.