In-House Legal Counsel

aCommerce Inc. is looking for a commercially minded In-House Counsel to join our legal team and support our operations in the Philippines. This is a mid-level role based in our Manila office, reporting directly to the Group Head of Legal with a dotted line to the Country CEO. The role offers broad exposure across commercial, regulatory, and employment matters in a fast-paced e-commerce environment operating across Southeast Asia. Job description: • Contracts & Commercial • Review, draft, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements including client contracts, vendor agreements, partnership arrangements, and service agreements. • Maintain and improve standard contract templates and playbooks. • Advise internal stakeholders on contractual rights, obligations, and risk. • Regulatory & Licensing • Manage and maintain all corporate and operational licenses and permits required for the company’s business activities in the Philippines. • Monitor regulatory developments and advise the business on compliance requirements and obligations. • Liaise with relevant government agencies and regulatory bodies as required. • Compliance • Develop, implement, and maintain compliance policies and procedures in line with applicable Philippine laws and regulations. • Support data privacy compliance obligations under the Data Privacy Act and coordinate with the Data Protection Officer where applicable. • Conduct compliance training and awareness initiatives for internal teams. • Taxation • Provide first-level legal advice on tax-related matters including VAT, withholding tax, and other statutory obligations. • Liaise with external tax advisors and the BIR on assessments, disputes, and routine compliance matters. • Review contracts and transactions from a tax risk perspective. • Litigation & Dispute Resolution • Manage pre-litigation disputes and coordinate with external counsel on litigation matters. • Maintain litigation registers and provide regular updates to management on case status and exposure. • Draft demand letters, legal notices, and other formal correspondence. • Labour & Employment • Advise on all employment-related matters including hiring, separation, disciplinary proceedings, and employee relations. • Represent or coordinate representation of the company before the NLRC, DOLE, and other labour tribunals. • Draft and review employment contracts, HR policies, and related documentation. • Keep the business updated on developments in Philippine labour law. Qualifications & Requirements • Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a Philippine law school; must be a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in good standing. • Minimum 5 years of post-admission experience in a law firm, in-house legal team, or a combination of both. • Must be Filipino, with legal education and professional experience obtained in the Philippines. • Strong working knowledge of Philippine corporate, commercial, labour, and regulatory law. • Experience in e-commerce, technology, retail, or a regional business environment is an advantage. • Comfortable working independently and managing multiple priorities across a lean team. • Strong drafting, negotiation, and communication skills in both English and Filipino. • Commercially pragmatic — able to provide clear, practical legal advice rather than purely theoretical guidance. What We Offer • A high-visibility regional role with direct access to senior leadership. • Exposure to cross-border legal matters across aCommerce’s Southeast Asian markets. • A collaborative, fast-moving environment where legal is a genuine business partner. • Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.