Legal & Compliance Manager

Changan Automobile; Philippines; On-site; PHP 2,000,000 - 4,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Changan Automobile is seeking a senior legal & compliance leader for its Philippines subsidiary. You will oversee legal risk, regulatory compliance, and contract lifecycle across import/export, distribution and KD lines, providing actionable advice for daily operations and major decisions.

You will monitor evolving Philippine and international laws, support global compliance programs, and manage disputes with external counsel while driving efficient processes and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Law.
• Bar admission with valid practising certificate.
• 8+ years in legal/compliance; 5+ for outstanding candidates.
• Strong knowledge of Philippines and international legal/regulatory frameworks.
• Fluent Tagalog and English; Chinese is a plus.
• Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills.
• Experience with cross-functional teams and external counsel.

Responsibilities

• Oversee legal and compliance for the Philippines subsidiary across vehicle import/export, trade distribution and dealer network, and KD lines.
• Provide legal advice for daily operations, major decisions, investments, contracts and disputes.
• Draft, review, negotiate commercial contracts and documents; manage lifecycle.
• Monitor laws/regulations in Philippines and provide updates and risk assessments.
• Support global compliance programs including privacy, competition, consumer protection, trade controls, sanctions, anti-bribery.
• Manage litigation/arbitration and coordinate with external counsel.
• Establish and optimize local legal/compliance processes; risk mitigation.
• Provide legal/compliance training and day-to-day support.
• Manage relationships with external law firms and cost management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal expertise

Corporate law

International trade law

Regulatory compliance

Contract negotiation

Risk management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Fluent English

Cross-functional work

Education

Law degree

Bar admission

Tools

Legal databases

Compliance tools

Job description

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the legal and compliance management of the Philippines subsidiary across its vehicle import and export, trade distribution and dealer network, and KD business lines.
• Responsible for providing legal advice and practical solutions for daily operations, major business decisions, investments, commercial transactions and disputes.
• Responsible for drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts and other business transaction documents — including vehicle purchase, sales, import/export, distribution and dealer agreements, KD/CKD supply and technical licensing agreements, logistics and warehousing contracts — and managing the contract lifecycle.
• Responsible for monitoring laws, regulations and regulatory developments in Philippines relevant to the company's vehicle import and export, trade distribution and KD business — including international trade law, company law, competition (antitrust) law, data compliance and other applicable legal and regulatory areas — and providing legal updates, risk assessments and compliance recommendations.
• Responsible for supporting the implementation of global compliance programmes, including privacy and data protection, competition law, consumer protection, trade compliance, customs and import controls, export controls and sanctions, anti-bribery and anti-corruption, and employment compliance.
• Responsible for managing and supporting litigation, arbitration, commercial disputes, employment disputes and regulatory investigations, including coordination with external counsel.
• Responsible for establishing and optimising local legal and compliance processes, identifying business risks and supporting effective risk mitigation.
• Responsible for providing legal and compliance training and day-to-day legal support to business functions.
• Responsible for managing relationships with external law firms and other legal service providers, and supporting effective legal cost management.
• Responsible for performing other legal and compliance duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Law.
• Qualified lawyer under Philippines law (admitted to the Bar with a valid practising certificate), or an equivalent recognised qualification.
• At least 8 years of relevant legal and compliance experience; 5 years for outstanding candidates.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience in Philippines and international legal and regulatory frameworks, particularly corporate and commercial law, international trade law, competition (antitrust) law, privacy and data compliance, consumer protection, employment law, customs, and product liability and warranty.
• Fluent written and spoken Tagalog and English for professional use; Chinese language proficiency is a plus.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience in legal risk management, compliance programme implementation and external counsel management.
• Proficiency in legal research databases, legal technology and compliance management tools.
• Experience in an international group, multinational company or automotive/manufacturing/distribution business is preferred.