ASSOCIATE COUNSEL

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.
Role & Responsibilities.
This Associate Counsel position will provide legal support to American Express's all lines of business in Spain (card issuing, merchant acquiring, insurance mediation and travel & lifestyle activities).
This role will sit in the legal team - General Counsel's Organization (GCO) and will report to the Director & Counsel for Spain.
Here's just some of what you'll do in this role Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice on different areas of laws, such as commercial law, payment services regulation, anti-money laundering, consumer protection and data protection.
Identify and provide legal interpretation on new or existing laws which impact the business activities and affairs of American Express carried out in Spain.
Also, partner with other colleagues from the GCO and Government Affairs to monitor relevant legislative initiatives in EMEA and Spain.
Partner and support other GCO colleagues in specific projects and initiatives, acting as delegates, if needed.
Draft and negotiate all types of local and global commercial agreements, terms & conditions and related communications.
Provide legal support on strategic marketing initiatives, agreements and new product and services development initiatives.
Project manage GCO initiatives and tasks.
Represent GCO at important meetings or committees.
Provide strategic, tactical, and other general guidance and advice to middle management, whether on specific projects or transactions or in relation to standard business processes, to ensure the organization understands and complies with legal and regulatory requirements.
Oversee litigation, help define the strategy in litigation cases and instruct outside counsel.
Advise on specific extrajudicial cases that can potentially escalate to litigation.
Proactively protect the brand and reputation of American Express by providing legal advice and guidance to governance and management supported by energetic internal advocacy.
Manage external counsel budget with the aim to ensure that the company receives cost effective legal advice.
Minimum Qualifications.
Spanish qualified practicing lawyer.
3+ years of post-qualification experience at a law firm or inhouse with emphasis on commercial/contract law.
Background in financial services or privacy is a plus.
Other diverse backgrounds may be as well suitable.
Very fluent in English and Spanish.
Required Skills.
Solid drafting, research, and negotiation/influencing skills.
Ability to interpret and apply law and regulation in a practical, hands-on, manner.
Solid analytical skills.
Ability to build relationships and partner with others to drive results.
Willing to gain a solid understanding of regulatory matters generally and areas applicable to payments industry and American Express business.
Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines and clients' expectations.
Required Attributes.
Strategic thinker with good business understanding, analytical skills and a strong ability to spot legal issues across a range of subject areas.
Skilled at effective multi-tasking - able to manage and prioritize a wide variety of matters and clients to high levels of client satisfaction.
Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing - able to communicate clearly, concisely, effectively and persuasively with internal and external clients and middle management.
Adaptability - strong team player who thrives on collaboration and understands the individual part they play in the success of a cross-functional team.
Self-sufficiency - inquisitive, takes initiative and owns their learning and development, comfortable working with minimal direct supervision.
Prepared to take the lead and make appropriate recommendations to middle management.
This role requires someone with credibility and presence.
Excellent relationship management and people skills - ability to adapt communication style to a broad mix of people and personalities including senior business and legal team leaders.
Ability to form and maintain strong working relationships.
Willingness to learn and grow and to leverage experience gained in this position to expand skill set for future career growth at American Express.
Ability to respond under time pressure to business issues with executable solutions clearly linked to business objectives.
Process-management skills - ability to help identify and implement improvements in work process to enhance efficiency and productivity.
Ability to motivate members of the team.
Commitment to integrity.
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 opportunitiesOffer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.