Senior Legal Manager (Structuring)

Vena Group; Makati; On-site; PHP 3,000,000 - 5,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Vena Energy in the Philippines seeks a seasoned Senior Lawyer to lead structuring, M&A, and project financing while guiding the legal team across renewable energy and real estate portfolios. You will oversee complex deals and provide strategic compliance across the portfolio’s operations.

The role requires 15+ years as a practicing lawyer with deep expertise in corporate structures, due diligence, and regulatory matters, plus strong leadership to mentor junior attorneys.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years as a practicing lawyer.
• At least 5 years of experience in company structuring and restructuring, M&A, commercial transactions, and project financings.
• Strong background in structuring transactions, mergers & acquisitions, and project financing.
• Ability to supervise and develop junior lawyers.

Responsibilities

• Lead transaction structuring for joint ventures, partnerships, and project development agreements within the group.
• Advise on M&A opportunities, conduct due diligence, and negotiate transaction documents.
• Provide legal support on debt financings and regulatory compliance.
• Review, standardize, and maintain legal document templates.
• Supervise and mentor at least 1 lawyer within the Philippines legal team.
• Ensure compliance with Philippine laws, energy regulations, and anti-bribery/anti-corruption frameworks.
• Support regional APAC legal matters as required.
• Undertake other duties assigned by country business teams or the Philippine Head of Legal.

Skills

Transaction structuring

Mergers & acquisitions

Project financing

Leadership

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Job description

Vena Energy is seeking a seasoned Senior Lawyer to join its Philippines legal team. This role will be central to advising on structuring transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and project financing and land agreements, while also supporting broader business development and construction-related matters. The successful candidate will provide strategic legal guidance, oversee complex deals, and ensure compliance across the company’s portfolio of renewable energy and real estate companies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Transaction Structuring
• Lead the structuring of complex legal arrangements, including joint ventures, partnerships, and project development agreements and company structuring of more than 50 companies within the group.
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Advise management on M&A opportunities, conduct due diligence, and negotiate transaction documents to support corporate growt.
• Provide legal support on debt financings and other financial instruments, ensuring optimal structuring and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Contract Review & Negotiation
• Assist to a limited extent business team in commercial contracts critical to project development and operations.
• Strategic Legal Advice
• Offer expert counsel on key legal issues impacting Vena Energy’s business in the Philippines, with emphasis on compliance with applicable laws and regulations including anti-money-laundering, anti-bribery and corruption, corporate and commercial law
• Manage and advise on potential or ongoing claims, disputes, and investigations.
• Regulatory Compliance
• Ensure adherence to Philippine laws, renewable energy regulations, and anti-bribery/anti-corruption frameworks.
• Corporate & Commercial Matters
• Provide guidance on general corporate issues and day-to-day activities, including office leases, employment matters, and commercial contracts.
• Template Management
• Review, standardize, and maintain legal document templates.
• Legal Research
• Conduct legal research to support structuring and financing activities.
• Regional Matters
• Support regional APAC legal matters as required.
• Team Supervision
• Supervise and mentor at least 1 lawyer within the Philippines legal team.
• Other Duties
• Undertake any other tasks assigned by country business teams or the Philippine Head of Legal.

Pre-requisites:

• Experience: Minimum of 15 years as a practicing lawyer.
• Industry Background: At least 5 years of experience in company structuring and restructuring, share transfers, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, special projects, corporate housekeeping and transactional tax and at least previous experience in project financings.
• Expertise: Strong background in structuring transactions, mergers & acquisitions, and project financing.
• Skills: Excellent negotiation, analytical, and communication skills; ability to manage complex deals and provide clear, strategic advice.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop junior lawyers.