Manager & Counsel

You will be part of a dynamic and high-performing team of lawyers within the APAC General Counsel’s Organization (“GCO”), responsible for providing legal and regulatory support to American Express businesses in Japan. Reporting to the Director & Counsel for Global Merchant Services (“GMS”) Japan, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the VP & Senior Counsel supporting the Global Network Services (“GNS”) APAC business, you will provide strategic legal support to the GMS and GNS businesses in Japan. In this role, you will advise senior management and collaborate with business and control group stakeholders on a broad range of legal and regulatory matters, including the Installment Sales Act, the Payment Services Act, merchant acquiring and intermediary-related regulations, regulatory compliance matters, and commercial initiatives relating to the merchant acquiring and network businesses in Japan. Support Business Development. Support business initiatives relating to the merchant acquiring and global network businesses, including strategic partnerships and other key commercial arrangements, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations and company policies. Provide legal advice on merchant acquiring, network, risk management, operational risk and other business initiatives, including their implementation and execution. Manage Business Contracts. Draft, review, negotiate and amend a broad range of commercial agreements supporting the GMS and GNS businesses, including network participation agreements, card acceptance agreements, partnership arrangements, intermediary relationships and other strategic commercial transactions. Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice to management and stakeholders on contractual arrangements, standard agreements, terms and conditions, and business processes. Manage Regulatory Affairs. Monitor and advise on legislative and regulatory developments in Japan that may impact American Express's merchant acquiring and network businesses. Areas of focus include merchant acquiring and intermediary regulations, competition law, data privacy, outsourcing, and other financial services regulations. Partner closely with Government Affairs, Compliance and other control groups to assess regulatory impacts, support advocacy efforts, and advise on interpretation and implementation requirements. Deals and Strategy. Provide strategic legal support for significant commercial transactions and business initiatives, including transaction structuring, negotiation and execution. Deliver practical, solutions-oriented advice that balances legal risk with business objectives. Marketing. Provide legal and regulatory advice on customer and merchant marketing campaigns, promotional activities and advertising materials in Japan, including compliance with applicable consumer protection and advertising laws. Stakeholder Management and Collaboration. Partner effectively with business leaders and cross-functional stakeholders across Japan and globally, including Legal, Business, Compliance, Risk, Pricing, Government Affairs and Regulatory Affairs teams, to support strategic business objectives and promote effective legal risk management. Qualified lawyer in Japan . Candidates should have at least 3-5 years post-qualification experience in a top-tier law firm and/or large multi-national corporation. Prior practical experience in the payments, banking, or financial services industry is preferred. Ability to think commercially and provide practical advice to stakeholders. Extensive corporate and commercial contracts drafting/negotiating skills and express. Communication . First class oral and written communication skills, in particular, the ability to explain complex legal matters clearly and concisely to non-specialists. Professional poise. Maintains grace under pressure and demonstrates the ability to impart discipline and calm to stressful situations. Holds their own in live discussions where differing views are expressed. A persuasive advocate who is not afraid to convey unwelcome messages yet lays out a path to practical solutions. A self-starter who takes ownership . Takes the initiative to learn independently rather than passively. Sees what needs to be done and then does it. Takes responsibility for understanding and solving problems. Energetic and practical application of legal skills and knowledge to business situations and problems. Build effective relationships and credibility throughout the company. Manage workload by careful prioritization and personal organization. Highly adaptable to changes and a fast-paced environment. Stay abreast of developments in critical legal areas: financial services and payments, consumer, privacy, anti-trust etc.