Senior Employment Counsel – APAC (18‑month Fixed‑Term)

About the role

Canva is expanding its Global Employment Legal Team and is looking for a Senior Employment Counsel to join the APAC hub, primarily supporting the Philippines and, where needed, broader Southeast Asia. Based in Manila on a hybrid schedule, you will partner with People, business leaders and legal colleagues to provide strategic, commercially‑pragmatic employment law advice as the company scales rapidly.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic employment‑law counsel for Canva’s operations in the Philippines and, as required, other APAC jurisdictions.
• Advise on performance management, employee relations, investigations, exits, regulatory compliance and contingent‑workforce issues.
• Collaborate with People, Total Rewards, Finance and business leaders to shape scalable employment frameworks and policies.
• Manage employment disputes, claims and regulatory inquiries, including engagement of external counsel.
• Deliver practical training and guidance to People teams and managers.
• Work with global Employment Legal colleagues on cross‑border matters and strategic projects.

Required profile

• Admission to practice law in the Philippines with at least 6 years of post‑qualification experience in employment law.
• Deep, up‑to‑date knowledge of Philippine employment legislation and employee‑relations practices.
• Proven ability to advise senior stakeholders on complex employment issues while balancing legal risk and business needs.
• Experience in a technology company, high‑growth organisation or multinational environment.
• Comfort operating in ambiguous, fast‑moving settings and making sound judgments.

Required skills

• Employment law expertise (Philippines)
• Legal research and analysis
• Stakeholder management
• Drafting of policies and contractual documents
• Dispute resolution

What we offer

• 18‑month fixed‑term contract with the opportunity to work in a vibrant, global design platform.
• Hybrid work model combining office collaboration in Manila with remote flexibility.
• Exposure to a fast‑growing tech company and cross‑border legal projects.
• Professional development and training opportunities.