Manager & Counsel

Job Description

We are looking for a commercially-minded regulatory lawyer who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment and is passionate about advising on and helping the business navigate complex legal and regulatory matters across APAC.

• Strong legal credentials Qualified lawyer in a Commonwealth jurisdiction with outstanding academic credentials. Typically 3–7 years post-qualification experience gained at a top-tier law firm and/or large multi-national corporation. Prior experience in financial services, payments, banking or a regulated industry is strongly preferred. Regional Asia experience and in-house experience are advantageous.
• Exceptional Communication and Judgment. Strong oral and written communication skills. Able to distil complex legal and regulatory issues into clear, concise and practical advice for business stakeholders and senior management. Strong drafting skills, including regulatory submissions, legal memoranda and executive communications.
• Pragmatic regulatory adviser. Exercises sound commercial judgment and provides practical, risk-based solutions that enable business objectives while appropriately managing legal and regulatory risk.
• Responsible and accountable. A proactive self-starter who takes accountability, learns independently, drives matters to completion, and is comfortable operating with ambiguity. Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and a genuine interest in payments regulation and emerging regulatory developments.
• Strong stakeholder management. Builds trusted relationships across Legal, Compliance, Government Affairs, Risk, Control Management and business teams, collaborating effectively across functions and geographies.
• Highly organised and execution-focused. Able to manage competing priorities across multiple jurisdictions, balancing strategic initiatives with day-to-day advisory work while consistently delivering high-quality output.
• Adaptable and resilient. Comfortable operating in a dynamic regulatory landscape, responding effectively to changing priorities and managing multiple complex matters simultaneously.
• Continuous learner. Keeps abreast of developments across payments regulation, financial services, privacy, consumer protection, competition law, AI and other emerging legal and regulatory issues affecting the business.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Monitor, analyse and interpret legal and regulatory developments across APAC, assessing their impact on the business and developing practical implementation strategies.
• Lead and support regulatory engagements, including responding to supervisory enquiries, regulatory consultations, examinations and policy initiatives, while building trusted relationships with regulators.
• Manage the full lifecycle of regulatory licences and approvals, including licence applications, variations, ongoing maintenance and regulatory notifications.
• Advise on complex payments regulation, licensing, governance and other strategic regulatory matters across multiple jurisdictions.
• Partner with business teams and other legal colleagues on new products, partnerships, market expansion and strategic initiatives by conducting legal and regulatory assessments and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals.
• Provide commercially focused legal advice across a broad range of regulatory and commercial matters, including novel legal issues with no established precedent.
• Draft and review regulatory submissions, position papers, legal guidance and assist with negotiation of commercial agreement (where relevant).
• Develop practical playbooks, guidance notes, templates and training materials to improve regulatory awareness and enable efficient, risk-based decision-making across the business.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across global legal teams, compliance, government affairs, risk, control management and other cross-functional teams to deliver coordinated legal support.
• Manage external counsel effectively and efficiently, ensuring high-quality advice and appropriate scoping.
• Support enterprise-wide legal and governance initiatives, continuous process improvement and knowledge sharing across the global legal organisation.
  
  

Qualifications

• 3–7 years post-qualification experience
  
  

About Us

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. From delivering differentiated products to providing world-class customer service, we operate with a strong risk mindset, ensuring we continue to uphold our brand promise of trust, security, and service.

As part of Team Amex, you'll experience our 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.

About The Team

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.