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Director Counsel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Reporting to the Senior Director, Counsel of the sector, this role operates as a legal specialist and business partner in providing strategic, proactive, and practical legal counsel and guidance to ...

Healthcare Counsel Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$175K - $230K/yr

Healthcare Counsel Attorney Direct Counsel is seeking a Counsel - Healthcare to join a highly respected California-based law firm with a sophisticated healthcare practice. This opportunity is ideal ...

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Director Counsel information

How does a Director Counsel typically interact with other departments within an organization?

A Director Counsel works closely with a variety of departments, such as compliance, human resources, finance, and executive leadership, to provide legal guidance on business decisions and risk management. Regular collaboration involves reviewing contracts, advising on regulatory matters, and participating in strategic planning meetings to ensure the organization’s activities align with legal requirements. This cross-functional interaction is essential for proactively identifying legal issues and supporting the organization’s goals. Effective communication and relationship-building skills are crucial for success in this role.

What is a Director Counsel?

A Director Counsel is a senior legal professional who leads and manages the legal department within an organization. They provide strategic legal advice to the company's executives, oversee compliance with laws and regulations, and handle major legal matters such as contracts, mergers, acquisitions, and litigation. Director Counsels often supervise other lawyers and legal staff, ensuring the organization's interests are protected while minimizing legal risks. They play a crucial role in shaping company policies and making high-level decisions that may impact the business.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Counsel, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Counsel, you need an accredited law degree, active bar membership, and deep expertise in corporate law, regulatory compliance, and risk management. Familiarity with legal research platforms like Westlaw or LexisNexis and experience with contract management systems are typically required. Exceptional leadership, negotiation, and communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These abilities are critical for providing strategic legal guidance, safeguarding organizational interests, and ensuring compliance in complex business environments.

What is the difference between Director Counsel vs Corporate Counsel?

AspectDirector CounselCorporate Counsel
CredentialsJD degree, bar admission, extensive legal experienceJD degree, bar admission, legal experience, often in corporate law
Work EnvironmentLegal departments, corporate offices, often leadership rolesIn-house legal teams, corporate offices, handling daily legal matters
Employer & Industry UsageLarge corporations, legal firms, multinational companiesCorporations, startups, non-profits, government agencies
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior legal roles in corporationsLegal advisory roles within companies

While both roles require a JD and legal experience, a Director Counsel typically holds a senior leadership position overseeing legal strategies, whereas a Corporate Counsel focuses on providing legal advice and handling daily legal issues within a company.

What cities are hiring for Director Counsel jobs? Cities with the most Director Counsel job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Counsel jobs? The most popular types of Counsel jobs are:
What states have the most Director Counsel jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Counsel jobs include:
Infographic showing various Director Counsel job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 48% Full Time, 49% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.
Director & Counsel, U.S. Insurance

Director & Counsel, U.S. Insurance

American Express

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$144K - $256K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


American Express rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 138 rated financial services


Job description

Job Description
About the General Counsel's Organization (GCO):
The General Counsel's Organization (GCO) of American Express is where great legal minds influence global business strategy.
The GCO's mission is to protect and strengthen American Express through legal expertise and strategic advice that helps business partners manage risk, identify opportunities, and deliver on the company's promise of exceptional products and services. As part of Team Amex, you'll experience comprehensive support for your well-being, opportunities to grow as a leader, and an environment where your voice and ideas matter and your work makes an impact.
Role Summary:
We have an exciting opportunity for a Director & Counsel within the General Counsel's Organization (GCO) at American Express. The Director & Counsel will report to the Vice President & Senior Counsel, U.S. Insurance Services and will be a member of the U.S. Consumer Services Team (USCS).
This role requires a highly strategic, solution-oriented legal advisor who can think creatively, operate effectively in gray areas, and provide practical, timely, strategic, and commercial legal advice that balances legal risk while advancing business objectives. The successful candidate will bring expertise in consumer financial services, embedded insurance products, and/or insurance law, including U.S. Insurance and Credit Card Add-On Product laws and applicable consumer protection frameworks, such as UDAAP/UDAP and state unfair trade practices. This attorney must have strong communication and negotiation skills, work with a high degree of autonomy, and collaborate closely with stakeholders across American Express, including Legal, Compliance, Government Affairs, Risk, and business teams.
Responsibilities
How will you make an impact in this role?
  • Design, structuring, and launch of new and innovative products and pilots, including serving as the primary lawyer on strategic growth initiatives, product fulfillment, servicing and claims frameworks.
  • Continuously identify opportunities to improve complex commercial arrangements with insurers and third-party partners, keeping abreast of evolving regulatory requirements and business priorities, and answering day-to-day questions about commercial and business partner agreements.
  • Provide legal support for regulatory change management, including capturing and analyzing regulatory changes, legal entity and corporate governance support, as applicable.
  • Lead engagement with insurance regulators, including oversight of regulatory filings and support for internal and regulatory approval of filed insurance rates, rules and forms.
  • Partner directly with business teams, risk management, compliance, technology, and operational teams, providing clear, reasoned, and pragmatic advice in real-time.
  • Perform novel legal analysis, including practical risk identification and risk mitigation.
    Contribute to the development and evolution of the company's insurance legal strategy over time.
  • Mentor, influence, and support other team members, with the ability to take on increasing leadership responsibility when needed.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Qualified to practice in the U.S. and admitted in one U.S. jurisdiction.
  • Eligible for admission to the N.Y. Bar.
  • 6+ years of relevant legal experience in highly regulated industries.
  • Strong solutions-oriented mindset, with the ability to deliver and document concise, legally grounded, and practical guidance under tight timelines.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and partner effectively with senior business stakeholders; strong analytical, drafting, and negotiation skills.
  • Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and sound judgment while collaborating effectively and bringing others along in a matrixed environment.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience analyzing compliance implications and risks under U.S. state insurance statutes and regulations, including adjacent state laws.
  • Meaningful exposure to insurance and/or consumer financial services law.
  • Familiarity with credit card products and applicable federal and state consumer protection laws, including UDA(A)P.
  • Experience advising on product development and operations within financial services or another regulated environment, including strategic product differentiation through product wording, legal drafting, and/or implementation rules.
  • Prior underwriting, claims, regulatory, and consumer law experience.

Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the United States is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions.Bottom of Form

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