Manager & Counsel, Global Employment Law

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.

The Global Employment Law Group in the General Counsel’s Organization (GCO) is seeking a Manager & Counsel to provide advice and counsel on employment law matters within the United States and Canada. The position will work closely with Amex’s Colleague Experience Group (HR), business partners, legal professionals in the GCO, as well as stakeholders across the enterprise, to provide day-to-day support on a diverse array of employment law issues attendant to a major financial institution.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Advise and support American Express Colleague Experience Group (HR) and business partners on employment law issues, policies, communications, and procedures.


• Manage employment litigations and arbitrations.


• Handle employment-related government investigations and agency charges, including drafting position statements.


• Review company communications, including HR policies, from an employment law perspective.


• Draft employment related documents (e.g., releases, agreements).


• Provide support for strategic initiatives and special projects underpinning American Express’s colleague experience strategy.


• Form strong partnerships with colleagues across the GCO, Colleague Experience Group, Global Risk and Compliance, Internal Audit, Privacy and business units to mitigate legal, operational, regulatory and reputational risks.


• Maintain and develop subject matter expertise on employment-related laws and regulations.


• Collaborate across General Counsel’s Organization and the Colleague Experience Group to facilitate knowledge sharing and best practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and J.D. from an accredited law school.


• Qualified to practice law in the New York in good standing.


• 5+ years of relevant employment law experience in a law firm and/or in-house corporate legal environment.


• Excellent communication, analytical, problem-solving, organizational and interpersonal skills.


• High level of professionalism and confidentiality, with a commitment to ethical conduct.


• Must have the ability to work independently.


• Must possess excellent writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience identifying and managing conduct risk related issues, as well as creating, implementing, and interpreting conduct risk-related policies, processes and/or programs.


• Experience representing GSIP banks and interpreting applicable conduct risk regulations (including OCC/FRB guidance on incentive compensation).


• Litigation and arbitration experience preferred.


• Ability to handle multiple workstreams simultaneously, take on new responsibilities and prioritize work in a dynamic, deadline intensive environment.


• Ability to build relationships and partner with others to drive results.


• Ability to pivot appropriately when presented with new information or evolving circumstances.

Salary Range: $110,000.00 to $190,000.00 annually + bonus + benefits

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors.

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 


• 6% Company Match on retirement savings plan 


• Free financial coaching and financial well-being support 


• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits 


• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need 


• 20+ weeks paid parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender, offered for pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy 


• 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

For a full list of Team Amex benefits, visit our Colleague Benefits Site.

American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law. American Express will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in accordance with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including, but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For positions covered by federal and/or state banking regulations, American Express will comply with such regulations as it relates to the consideration of applicants with criminal convictions.

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.

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Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for this position.