Job Description

The Legal Debt Collection Manager - India Market will be responsible for managing and overseeing all legal recovery actions related to delinquent accounts. This role will lead legal collection strategies, manage external law firms, ensure compliance with Indian laws and regulatory frameworks, and drive legal recovery performance while mitigating legal and reputational risks.

The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of Indian debt recovery laws, litigation management & regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

1. Legal Recovery Strategy & Execution

• Develop and implement legal debt recovery strategies across various delinquency buckets.
• Initiate and manage civil/criminal proceedings for recovery, including arbitration, DRT, NI Act (Section 138) cases, NCLT Proceedings, Willful Defaulter process where relevant.
• Oversee pre-litigation recovery efforts including legal notices and settlement negotiations.
• Monitor case progress and ensure timely resolution to maximize recoveries.

2. Litigation & Case Management

• Manage a portfolio of litigated accounts across multiple jurisdictions in India.
• Coordinate with empaneled law firms & advocates.
• Review pleadings, affidavits, evidence documentation, and legal notices.
• Track court hearings, ensure proper representation, and maintain case MIS.

3. Stakeholder Management (Core Focus Area)

Internal Stakeholders

• Partner closely with Risk, Compliance, Controllership, Finance, Customer Experience, and Senior Leadership teams.
• Provide legal insights to shape credit and recovery policies.
• Present portfolio performance, litigation risks, and recovery trends to leadership.
• Manage escalations from customer complaints, regulatory bodies, and senior management.

External Stakeholders

• Manage relationships with panel law firms, advocates, recovery agencies, and investigators.
• Engage with regulators, ombudsman offices, and quasi-judicial authorities when required.
• Negotiate settlements directly with high-value or sensitive customers.
• Ensure alignment of external partners with company values and compliance standards.

4. Vendor & Law Firm Management

• Appoint, evaluate, and manage panel advocates and legal recovery agencies.
• Negotiate fee structures and SLAs with external partners.
• Conduct periodic performance reviews and audits of vendors.
• Ensure adherence to company policies and regulatory guidelines.

5. Regulatory & Compliance Oversight

• Ensure compliance with:
  • RBI guidelines (if applicable)
  • Consumer Protection Act
  • Civil Procedure Code (CPC)
  • Negotiable Instruments Act
  • DRT
  • Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC)
  • Data privacy and fair practices codes
• Ensure ethical recovery practices and minimize reputational risk.
• Handle escalations related to regulatory complaints and legal notices.

6. Risk Mitigation & Governance

• Identify legal risks in recovery processes and recommend corrective measures.
• Maintain proper documentation and audit readiness.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Provide legal inputs for policy updates and process improvements.

7. Reporting & Analytics

• Track legal recovery metrics including:
  • Recovery rate
  • Cost per case
  • Case aging
  • Legal TAT
  • Settlement ratios
• Prepare dashboards and reports for senior management.
• Provide insights to optimize legal recovery ROI.

8. Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with Collections, Risk, Compliance, and Finance teams.
• Handle high-value customer negotiations and settlements.
• Support management in strategic recovery decisions.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification- Law Graduate

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

American Express is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other status protected by law.

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