Job Summary: Reporting to Head of Legal and Corporate Secretary, this role is responsible for overseeing the legal operations of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.), Inc. and its Subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Manulife Philippines” or the “Company”), ensuring compliance with relevant laws, rules, and regulations, and mitigating legal risks.    This role involves managing legal matters, advising on legal rights and obligations, and providing support to various departments within the Company focusing on the following key responsibilities.

Distribution Compliance Support

• Support Distribution Compliance efforts, particularly the disciplinary process by providing guidance on procedures, investigations, and documentation.
• Review and assess notices of termination form compliance with laws, rules, and regulations to mitigate litigations risks.
• Review legal documentation, ensuring that all decisions are well-documented and legally compliant.

Agency Support

• Regularly review agents’ contract templates to ensure compliance with Company standards and legal requirements.
• Provide guidance and legal support to Agency Team regarding policies, procedures, and other legal matters.

Data Privacy Support

• Collaborate with data privacy team to ensure compliance with the data protection laws and regulations.
• Provide legal guidance on data privacy policies and procedures.
• Assist in the reviewing of data processing agreements and privacy notices.
• Manage legal responses to data breaches or incidents.

This Position Description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees in this job. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for this job classification.

Other Responsibilities:

The Legal Manager’s responsibilities also include:

Legal Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations governing insurance practices.
• Monitor changes in legislation and advise relevant business units on necessary adjustments to policies and practices.

Contract Management

• Draft, review and negotiate contracts, including contracts with agents and partners.
• Ensure that all contracts adhere to the Company’s legal and operational standards.

Risk Management

• Identify potential legal risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Conduct legal risk assessments and provide recommendations to management.

Litigation Management

• Oversee any litigation involving the Company, including coordination with external counsel.
• Prepare documentation and present cases as needed.

Corporate Governance

• Provide support to the Corporate Secretary and Assistant Corporate Secretary in monitoring corporate governance compliance and other regulatory requirements.
• Assist the Corporate Secretary and Assistant Corporate Secretary in corporate secretarial tasks, including preparation of meeting materials, and ensuring accurate record-keeping of corporate documents.

Advisory

• Provide legal advice to management and business units on various matters, including regulatory compliance, claims handling, corporate governance, agency support, and data privacy.
• Assist in the development of Company policies and procedures in alignment with legal requirements.

Training and Development

• Conduct training sessions for employees and agents on legal matters relevant to their roles.
• Keep management and business units informed about changes in laws and regulations that may impact their work.

Others

• Additional responsibilities as required.

Requirements:

• Law degree holder from reputable universities;
• Admission to the practice law in the Philippines;
• At least 3-5 years legal/compliance experience in insurance, financial industry or law firm;
• Willing to learn about new growing insurance industry with strong sense of career development;
• Ability to manage and work effectively in a team and multi-cultural environment;
• Good organizational skills;
• Analytical, attention to details, and creative problem solving abilities;
• Ability to confront conflict and difficult issues in a professional, assertive and proactive manner;
• Establish a strong compliance culture within the Company;
• Possess strong qualities of integrity, credibility and strong work ethics; and
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English and local Philippines language (both written and spoken).

• 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

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 hr@manulife.com.