Job Description

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

At American Express, we know that with the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. Whether we're supporting our customers' financial confidence to move ahead, taking commerce to new heights, or encouraging people to explore the world, our colleagues are constantly redefining what's possible -- and we're proud to back each other every step of the way.

When you join #TeamAmex, you become part of a diverse community of over 60,000 colleagues, all with a common goal to deliver an exceptional customer experience every day. 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.

You'll do more than the expected. You'll do the unexpected.

The Legal Services Team (LST) is part of American Express General Counsel's Organisation (GCO). We deliver legal support to colleagues and to clients, globally, across all business lines. We are looking to add a team member in Kuala Lumpur, who will report to a senior lawyer also based in the APAC region.

As a diverse and inclusive employer, we are very open to applications from people returning to the workforce and/or seeking flexible working arrangements or the option to work remotely (please talk to us about this when you apply).

Role Purpose:
The LST's mission is to provide efficient, consistent, innovative, and high-quality, legal support across business units, staff groups and jurisdictions. We are looking for a motivated, proactive, junior lawyer, experienced in commercial contracts, who will be part of this lively team.

Interested candidates will have commercial awareness and experience of working in a commercial contract space. Candidates must be able to use their legal skills to work closely with key business clients around the globe, the LST leadership team and colleagues within the LST team on a day to day basis. In addition, candidates should possess a strong ability to lead partners and be able to demonstrate a track record of client care.

Primary responsibilities:

Contribute as an independent, trusted legal advisor to GCO and to the wider Amex business by:

• Identifying and effectively handling legal risk
• Taking instructions from and supporting your team leader, other lawyers, or legal teams in GCO, primarily across the EMEA region, and beyond as required
• Providing sound, commercial, legal advice and support across all business units, including drafting, reviewing, analysing and negotiating a wide range of agreements and legal documents such as procurement, marketing and sponsorship agreements
• Supporting internal governance and approval processes, including coordinating internal partners as appropriate
• Instructing and collaborating closely with outside counsel to obtain, challenge and finalise legal advice/opinions on projects and agreements
• Carrying out legal research on behalf of GCO colleagues
• Handling company secretarial matters and other LST workstreams, as required

Working with other LST team members, including:

• Improving methods for legal knowledge management and supporting LST training and upskilling programme
• Ensuring LST's adherence to any company-wide and GCO-specific processes and procedures

Qualifications

• Junior Malaysia-qualified solicitor (or hold an equivalent qualification from a common law jurisdiction, provided you have some experience advising on English law matters)
• Experience of drafting and advising on commercial contracts in a practical and commercial manner with strong research and analytical skills
• In-house experience in financial services is preferred.
• Ability to effectively multi-task, prioritise and work as part of a team or autonomously under time pressure to meet deadlines and manage clients' expectations
• Cross-jurisdictional experience is preferred, but not required (e.g. EMEA, Asia Pac, LatAm)
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, reliably, and persuasively with clients, senior business people, legal management and external regulators, both orally and in writing
• Commitment to integrity and American Express value

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

Additional Details:

• Location: Menara Prestige, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur office location - Based on the evolving situation with Covid-19, we will conduct a new hire orientation virtually. From there your training and/or work will be remote until the situation with Covid-19 allows us to move back into our building.
• American Express offers a fantastic and diverse working environment. High performance is rewarded with target driven incentives
• At American Express' discretion this position may be work from home and adjusted back to "in office" at any time

Why American Express?
There's a difference between having a job and making a difference.

American Express has been making a difference in people's lives for over 160 years, backing them in moments big and small, granting access, tools, and resources to take on their biggest challenges and reap the greatest rewards.

We've also made a difference in the lives of our people, providing a culture of learning and collaboration, and helping them with what they need to succeed and thrive. We have their backs as they grow their skills, conquer new challenges, or even take time to spend with their family or community. And when they're ready to take on a new career path, we're right there with them, giving them the guidance and momentum into the best future they envision.

Because we believe that the best way to back our customers is to back our people.

The powerful backing of American Express.
Don't make a difference without it.
Don't live life without it.