The Corporate Counsel is responsible for ensuring that commercial transactions of Watsons Philippines are compliant with applicable laws and regulations, as well as consistent with internal policies and requirements. This covers legal documentation for third-party engagements, rendering guidance on day-to-day concerns with legal implications, assisting relevant departments with their governmental compliance, providing support for corporate secretarial concerns, and liaising with the respective legal departments of Watsons Philippines’ parent companies.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide legal and commercial transaction support for Watsons Philippines, with particular focus on relevant commercial regulatory compliance, and in the areas of labor, privacy, and competition laws, as well as ESG compliance;
• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on a wide variety of corporate and commercial agreements on procurement, trading, logistics, marketing, and business development;
• Support contract negotiations, and advise on special projects undertaken by Watsons Philippines in accordance with internal policies;
• Assist in corporate secretarial work, corporate documentation, and coordination with Watsons Group secretariat and the board of directors;
• Analyze legal issues, effectively communicate the business impact and legal risks to internal stakeholders, and propose practical risk management solutions;
• Supervise and provide guidance on significant operational matters, as well as on enforcement of Watsons Group policy and driving excellence across the teams;
• Liaise with government offices and regulatory agencies when necessary;
• Collaborate with local and regional stakeholders, legal teams of parent companies; and external counsels; and
• • Provide trainings for in-house business teams on relevant legal topics and processes.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Admitted to the Philippine bar and has a minimum PQE of 5 years with at least 2 years’ experience in reputable law firm or in-house legal role (retail or FMCG background is advantageous);
• Must be competent to advise in the context of retail, distribution, deployment of technology, and digital transformation;
• Able to think strategically and exercise sound judgment;
• Practical and commercially astute;
• Good drafting skills and attention to details;
• Good interpersonal and communication skills; and
• Well-organized and able to work under pressure.

Please refer to job description.