General Counsel, MGS Philippines

Manulife/John Hancock; Manila; Hybrid; PHP 5,000,000 - 12,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Manulife/John Hancock Philippines is seeking a General Counsel to lead the MGS legal and governance agenda. You will guide senior management and boards on governance, contracts, employment and privacy while directing compliance and risk management across the organization.

The role partners with regional and global teams to enable business objectives while upholding high ethical standards. The position requires 15+ years in senior legal leadership within financial services, strong experience in

Qualifications

• 15+ years in a senior legal leadership role with exposure to compliance and data protection matters.
• Experience across law firms and/or financial services with large-scale shared services.
• Strong expertise in corporate, contract, employment and governance risk management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice to senior management, boards and governance committees on governance, contracts, employment, privacy and regulatory matters.
• Develop and implement legal strategies aligning with business priorities and growth.
• Draft, review and negotiate complex contracts and corporate documents; manage litigation and investigations.
• Manage external counsel, including scope, cost, and performance; oversee corporate governance and secretarial duties.
• Lead the Legal Shared Services function and drive process improvements, technology enablement and governance.

Skills

Legal leadership

Stakeholder management

Corporate governance

Data privacy

Contract law

Employment law

Negotiation

Education

LL.B./J.D.

Bar admission Philippines

LL.M. (advantage)

Job description

General Description

The General Counsel, MGS - Philippines is the senior legal leader for Manulife Global Solutions in the Philippines. The role is accountable for the legal and corporate governance agenda for MGS Philippines, provides strategic counsel to senior management and relevant Boards and governance committees, and supports effective compliance oversight in partnership with the Compliance function. The role operates with significant independence and accountability for complex legal matters, governance standards, risk decisions and leadership of the Legal function in the Philippines. The General Counsel partners closely with local, regional and global leaders to enable business objectives while protecting the company, maintaining high ethical standards and supporting compliance with applicable Philippine laws, regulations, codes and internal policies. The role also provides strategic leadership and oversight for the MGS Legal Shared Services function based in the Philippines, supporting the delivery of efficient, scalable and high-quality legal services to global Legal teams while advancing operational excellence, capability development and enterprise Legal priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• 1. Legal Advisory and Business Strategy
  • • Provide accurate, timely and practical legal advice to senior management, relevant Boards and governance committees on corporate governance, contracts, employment and labor law, data privacy, regulatory compliance and other legal matters affecting MGS Philippines.
  • • Develop and implement legal strategies that support MGS Philippines business priorities, transformation initiatives and sustainable growth.
  • • Draft, review and negotiate complex contracts, deeds, legal documents and business communications to protect MGS Philippines interests and legal rights.
  • • Apply effective risk management techniques and provide proactive advice on emerging or potential legal issues.
  • • Manage litigation, disputes, investigations and other contentious matters, including developing appropriate defense and resolution strategies.
  • • Engage and manage external counsel, where needed and appropriately approved, including selection, scope, performance, cost and direction.
• 2. Compliance Oversight and Partnership
  • • Monitor the effectiveness of compliance support for MGS Philippines and advise senior management on significant compliance risks and required actions.
  • • Partner with the relevant Compliance teams on compliance reviews, testing, risk assessments, investigations and remediation, while respecting established functional accountabilities and reporting lines.
  • • Support the implementation and enforcement of policies, procedures, training and governance practices that promote lawful, ethical and responsible conduct.
• 3. Risk Management and Governance
  • • Identify, assess and communicate material legal and compliance risks affecting MGS Philippines, and support appropriate mitigation, escalation and monitoring.
  • • Integrate legal and compliance considerations into business planning, projects, operating decisions and change initiatives.
  • • Provide legal advice on compliance controls and support business units and Compliance partners in implementing applicable obligations and remediation actions.
  • • Prepare, review and present legal and compliance reports, issues and materials for senior leadership and governance committees.
  • • Coordinate reporting of material legal and compliance matters to appropriate local, regional and global stakeholders.
• 4. Corporate Governance and Company Secretarial Support
  • • Lead or oversee corporate secretarial and entity governance requirements for MGS legal entities in the Philippines, as assigned.
  • • Organize and support Board, committee and general meetings, including agendas, papers, minutes, resolutions and follow-up actions.
  • • Maintain accurate corporate records, statutory registers, Board and shareholder resolutions and related governance documentation.
  • • Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, internal governance standards and corporate governance best practices.
  • • Liaise with Board members, shareholders and Regional or Global Subsidiary Governance teams on governance matters.
• 5. Legal Shared Services Leadership
  • • Lead the Legal Shared Services function based within MGS Philippines, ensuring the delivery of efficient, high-quality legal support services to global Legal teams.
  • • Drive operational excellence through process improvement, technology enablement, service governance and performance management.
  • • Partner with Legal leaders to enhance service delivery, build organizational capability and support enterprise Legal priorities.
• 6. Data Protection and Information Governance
  • • Oversee data protection, privacy and information governance for MGS Philippines and serve as the Data Protection Officer for the MGS Philippines entities.
  • • Lead and coordinate privacy risk assessments, regulatory engagement, incident response, compliance monitoring and awareness in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
  • • Advise senior management and relevant governance committees on material privacy and data protection risks, issues and remediation.
• 7. Team and Function Leadership
  • • Lead, coach and develop the Legal team and Legal Shared Services function, fostering collaboration, accountability, sound judgement, high performance and continuous improvement.
  • • Set priorities, allocate resources and manage the function budget effectively.
  • • Build strong partnerships with business and functional leaders, including Compliance, while maintaining the independence and constructive challenge expected of Legal.
  • • Ensure appropriate capability, succession and professional development plans are in place for the team.
  • • Collaborate closely with Group and Asia Legal and Compliance teams to manage enterprise risks and deliver consistent standards.

Knowledge, Skills, Competencies and Education

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a recognized university.
• Admission to the Philippine Bar and in good standing.
• Advanced legal education, such as an LL.M., is an advantage but not required.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant legal experience, including substantial experience in a senior legal leadership role and meaningful exposure to compliance and data protection matters.
• Experience across a law firm and/or financial services environment, with meaningful exposure to business process outsourcing, shared services or a comparable complex operating environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in corporate, contract, employment and labor law, compliance, corporate governance, data privacy and legal risk management.
• Exposure to shared services, legal operations, centers of excellence or other large-scale service delivery organizations, including process optimization, technology enablement and operational transformation is an advantage but not essential.
• Strong strategic judgment, commercial acumen and ability to balance business enablement with appropriate legal and compliance risk management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, stakeholder management and influencing skills.

Leadership Expectations and Cultural Fit

• Role models ethics, integrity and courageous, independent advice.
• Develops, inspires and motivates others, and builds a culture of respect and inclusion.
• Acts as an effective change leader who can navigate ambiguity and influence across organizational boundaries.
• Builds trusted relationships with senior leaders, Boards and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Works collaboratively while preserving the professional independence of the Legal function.
• Demonstrates commitment to excellent service, sound governance and proportionate risk management.

When you join our team:

We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.

We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.

As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law. It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail].

Working Arrangement Hybrid