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.
