Business Manager – Manila

Black & White Engineering Limited; Makati; On-site; PHP 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Black & White Engineering Limited in Manila is seeking an experienced Business Manager to lead day-to-day non-technical operations across HR, Finance, IT and Corporate Services. You will oversee facilities, budgets, vendors and compliance to support our growing global office.

You will partner with Manila Directors to translate priorities into actions, drive employee experience, and ensure scalable, compliant operations as the business expands.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, Operations or a related discipline.
• At least eight years’ experience in business operations, office management or corporate services.
• Proven experience coordinating across functions such as HR, Recruitment, Finance, Learning & Development, IT, Procurement and Corporate Services.
• Strong business acumen, with experience in operational planning, budget monitoring and cost management.
• Experience coordinating corporate registrations, permits, compliance requirements or similar obligations.
• Excellent communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee facilities, maintenance, utilities, housekeeping, security, office supplies and other workplace services.
• Manage office budgets, contracts, invoices, reimbursements and recurring costs.
• Coordinate activity across HR, Recruitment, Finance, Learning & Development, IT, Procurement and Corporate Services.
• Lead onboarding, office transfers, seating arrangements, access requirements and employee events.
• Partner with senior leaders to align operations with growth and improve efficiency.
• Oversee vendor relationships, permits, registrations and compliance coordination.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Budgeting & cost control

Stakeholder management

Communication

Operations management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, Operations or related discipline

Master’s degree or MBA (advantageous)

Job description

Are you an experienced business operations leader ready to shape how a fast-growing global office works? Then this role is for you.

As Business Manager for our Manila office, you will lead the day-to-day non-technical operations that keep our people supported and our business running effectively.

Reporting directly to the Manila Directors, you will coordinate activity across Human Resources, Recruitment, Finance, Learning & Development, IT, Corporate Services and other support functions. You will oversee workplace operations, budgets, facilities, vendors, compliance and employee-support initiatives while helping the office respond to continued growth.

What’s in it for you?

A leadership role with visible impact

You will be the central point of coordination for business operations across our Manila office. Working closely with the Manila Directors, you will turn business priorities into practical action and ensure operational requirements are delivered effectively.

Your work will directly influence how the office performs, how employees experience their workplace and how successfully the business supports its continued growth.

Broad cross-functional influence

You will work across HR, Recruitment, Finance, Learning & Development, IT, Procurement and Corporate Services, bringing teams together to resolve issues and deliver shared priorities.

The breadth of the role will give you visibility across the business and the opportunity to build strong relationships with local, regional and global stakeholders.

Ownership of the workplace

You will oversee facilities, maintenance, utilities, housekeeping, security, office supplies, equipment and other workplace services.

You will help ensure that the Manila office remains safe, professional, functional and able to support employees effectively as the business grows.

Financial and commercial responsibility

Working with Finance, you will prepare and monitor the Manila office’s administrative and operational budgets.

You will review expenditure, purchases, contracts, invoices, reimbursements and recurring costs, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining appropriate workplace and service standards.

Vendor and compliance management

You will manage relationships with landlords, building management, contractors and service providers, covering quotations, contracts, renewals, service schedules and performance.

You will also coordinate business permits, company registrations, office accreditations, vendor documentation and other administrative requirements, ensuring records remain complete and up to date.

A better employee experience

You will work closely with support teams to coordinate onboarding, office transfers, seating arrangements, access requirements, employee events and recognition programmes.

As a visible point of contact for workplace and administrative matters, you will help create a positive, inclusive and well-supported working environment.

The opportunity to improve and grow

You will assess how the office operates and develop practical improvements to processes, workflows and services.

From resolving recurring operational issues to leading office expansions, relocations and workplace-improvement projects, you will help ensure our infrastructure and support services remain ready for the future.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, Operations or a related discipline.
• A relevant master’s degree or MBA would be advantageous.
• At least eight years’ experience in business operations, office management, corporate services or business-support leadership.
• Proven experience managing day-to-day non-technical office operations within a corporate or multinational environment.
• Strong business acumen, with experience in operational planning, budget monitoring, cost management and continuous improvement.
• Experience coordinating across functions such as HR, Recruitment, Finance, Learning & Development, IT, Procurement and Corporate Services.
• Practical experience managing facilities, workplace services, vendors, contracts and administrative assets.
• Experience coordinating corporate registrations, business permits, compliance requirements or similar administrative obligations.
• Understanding of Philippine labour regulations, corporate compliance requirements and workplace practices.
• Experience in process improvement, governance, operational reporting and compliance coordination.
• Strong stakeholder-management skills, with the confidence to work with senior leaders and influence cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience leading administrative or office-support personnel and allocating responsibilities effectively.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of professionalism, integrity and discretion when handling business and employee matters.

You will join a community that focuses on learning and development through regular knowledge-sharing sessions and investment in accredited professional courses and educational programmes. You can set the pace for your own development, and whatever path you choose, you will receive the right support.

About Black & White Engineering

Black & White Engineering is a multi-award-winning engineering consultancy with more than 1,300 employees across the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and North America.

We specialise in the full spectrum of engineering design consultancy for the data centre sector, including Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP), Civil & Structural, Design Management, Sustainability, BIM, Power Systems and other infrastructure-related services.

Our engineering approach is grounded in practicality, technical excellence and operational efficiency. With rapid growth across regions, many colleagues have progressed from engineering roles into leadership positions - your future development is supported and recognised.

Ready to shape the workplace behind a growing global engineering business?