GDS Global Counsel - Philippines

The opportunity

Our Global Delivery Services business (GDS) is seeking a qualified lawyer to support GDS operations across our locations, with a focus on legal matters related to our operations in the Philippines. The lawyer will be part of the GDS Legal Team, advising on, overseeing, and providing strategic direction on all matters concerning commercial contracts and employment law, with the ability to advise on all legal matters in GDS Philippines and extend support to other GDS locations.

The GDS Legal Team (GDS GCO) is part of the Global GCO team, responsible for providing legal support to the GDS business.

You will be part of the GDS Legal Team, advising or overseeing advice related to contract and employment law across GDS centers in India, Poland, China, Argentina, the Philippines, UK, Sri Lanka, Hungary, Spain, Mexico, and other upcoming locations, with a primary focus on the Philippines. You will work closely with other GDS Legal Team members, GDS Talent team, and business stakeholders across all GDS locations.

Your key responsibilities

Your primary responsibility will be to collaborate with the GDS GCO Leads for employment and contract portfolios, assisting and advising on all aspects of contract and employment/labor law matters.

The role includes:

• Drafting, negotiating, and advising on various contracts, such as sponsorship, meetings and events, services, real estate, and corporate responsibility contracts.
• Having a sound understanding of contract and employment/labor laws in the Philippines, working with other GDS jurisdictions to oversee advice and strategy on employment law matters, including employee hiring and separation.
• Creating employment law support documents, including memos and templates, compliant with legal requirements.
• Supporting the Employment Lead and HR teams in policy formulation and revision.
• Advising on corporate transactions, secretarial matters, and managing disputes and litigations independently.

Skills and attributes for success

• Deep knowledge of contract and employment/labor laws in the Philippines and experience working across multiple jurisdictions in a global environment.
• Commercial awareness of the business issues facing GDS across locations.
• Ability to translate complex legal advice into practical guidance for stakeholders unfamiliar with legal details.
• Effective relationship-building skills and cultural sensitivity in communication.
• High standards of integrity and excellence.
• Flexibility, organization, and adaptability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines.
• Sound decision-making skills based on risk assessment.
• Ability to work independently while keeping leadership informed of key issues.
• Strong written communication skills for drafting legal advice, contracts, and policies.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and comfort with legal technology tools.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.

Minimum qualifications

• A graduate/postgraduate degree in Law.
• Professional legal qualification in the Philippines.
• Extensive experience working in a global legal environment, ideally over 10 years.
• Experience supporting commercial contracts and employment law portfolios, preferably in an in-house legal department.
• High proficiency in English, with recognized certification (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English).

What EY offers

At EY, we help clients from startups to Fortune 500 companies, offering varied and meaningful projects. We focus on education, coaching, and personal development, with opportunities to grow into responsible roles. Our interdisciplinary environment emphasizes quality and knowledge exchange. Benefits include:

• Support, coaching, and feedback from engaging colleagues.
• Opportunities to develop new skills and advance your career.
• Flexibility to manage your role effectively.

About EY

As a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction, and advisory services, we aim to build a better working world through our expertise and innovative systems. We foster a culture of training, opportunities, and creative freedom. We are committed to hiring passionate people to realize our ambition of being the best employer.

If you meet the above criteria, please contact us promptly.

Join us in building a better working world.

Apply now