About BW Group

BW Group is a leading global energy and maritime company involved in shipping, deepwater oil & gas production, renewable energy and digital infrastructure. BW controls a fleet of about 400 vessels transporting oil, gas and dry commodities. In the infrastructure space, the group operates in wind, batteries, water, subsea cable networks and data centres. BW is proud to be listed as one of Forbes World's Best Employers 2026.

Are you ready to make an impact?

What drives us is our mission to deliver energy for the world today, and to find solutions for tomorrow. If you want to make lives better around the world by providing access to energy, while working on sustainability and decarbonisation, we'd like to hear from you. Working at BW you will feel the pulse of the world each day. If something happens in the world, we feel it, and you can play your part by anticipating and responding to it. Our high-performing teams are drawn to BW by the global nature of our work and the satisfaction of working with collaborative people who inspire each other to deliver exceptional results.

The role will primarily focus on compliance, particularly data protection and privacy. The successful candidate will be based in our Manila office and will work as an integral part of a small, internationally-based legal team supporting a listed shipping and energy group with global operations.

A significant part of the role will involve supporting the Group's data protection and privacy function, working closely with the Group Data Protection Officer on matters arising across the Group's international businesses. The role will also support the legal team on broader compliance matters, including KYC, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, human rights and responsible supply chain compliance.

The role will also provide exposure to a broad range of general in-house legal work. Where capacity permits, the successful candidate will support the wider legal team on commercial and contractual matters, transactions, due diligence and other legal matters.

This is an international in-house role within a shipping and energy group rather than a specialist shipping law role. The candidate will be embedded within a busy Manila office of over 120 people and will work closely with colleagues in Singapore, with regular interaction across jurisdictions and time zones.

Data Protection, Privacy and AI

A significant focus of the role will be supporting the Group's data protection, privacy and related AI governance activities, including:

Supporting the Group Data Protection Officer in the day-to-day operation and development of the Group's data protection and privacy programme and related AI governance activities.
Researching and advising on data protection, privacy and relevant AI requirements across the jurisdictions in which the Group operates and translating legal and regulatory requirements into practical guidance for the business.
Advising on day-to-day privacy matters and responding to queries from business functions including HR, IT, procurement and other operational teams.
Supporting legal and privacy reviews of new projects, systems, vendors and technologies, including AI-enabled solutions, and conducting or assisting with privacy, AI, legitimate interests and other related assessments, where required.
Reviewing and advising on data processing agreements, data protection clauses, international data transfers and other contractual privacy requirements.
Assisting with data subject rights requests, including coordinating information gathering with relevant business teams and supporting the review of responsive material.
Supporting the assessment and management of personal data incidents, including investigation, documentation and consideration of notification requirements.
Helping maintain and update privacy and related governance documentation, including policies, privacy notices, records of processing activities, assessment documentation, guidance and training materials.
Monitoring developments in data protection, privacy and AI regulation and governance and helping assess their implications for the Group.
Working with Legal, IT, information security, HR and other stakeholders on data protection, privacy and related governance matters, including regulatory enquiries where required.

General Compliance

The role will also support the legal team on broader compliance matters, including:

Supporting sanctions, KYC, anti-bribery and corruption, counterparty due diligence and other legal and regulatory compliance matters.
Supporting the Group's human rights and responsible supply chain compliance activities, including legal and regulatory research, due diligence and reporting requirements.
Assisting with the preparation and review of compliance-related policies, procedures, guidance, disclosures and reports.
Monitoring relevant regulatory developments and supporting compliance reviews and due diligence, including identifying issues requiring further investigation or escalation.
Providing practical guidance to the business on compliance requirements and identifying and escalating legal and compliance risks.

Commercial and General Legal Support

The role will also support the wider legal team on general commercial and legal matters, including:

Reviewing, drafting and negotiating a range of commercial contracts and agreements, including supply, services, purchasing and framework agreements.
Drafting and advising on non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements.
Assisting with transactional and commercial due diligence exercises, including document review and identification of key legal and contractual issues.
Supporting lead negotiators on live document negotiations, including implementing agreed positions accurately and promptly in working drafts.
Identifying and escalating contractual risks and issues in a clear and practical manner.
Conducting legal research and assisting with corporate, transactional and other legal matters arising across the Group.
Providing practical legal advice that supports commercial and operational decision-making.

Essential

Common law qualified lawyer with approximately 3-6+ years' post-qualification experience.
Practical experience advising on data protection and privacy matters, with a good understanding of core data protection principles and familiarity with the GDPR, and the ability to apply them to practical business situations.
Experience advising on broader legal, regulatory or compliance matters, gained in private practice, in-house or a combination of both.
Strong legal research and analytical skills, including the ability to consider requirements across different jurisdictions and provide clear, practical advice.
Experience reviewing and drafting legal agreements and identifying and advising on contractual, regulatory and compliance risks.
Strong written English, with precise and clear drafting skills.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and exercise sound judgement.
Commercially minded, with the ability to identify legal and compliance risks, understand their practical implications and advise accordingly.

Desirable

Qualification in in England & Wales, Australia, Hong Kong or Singapore.
Experience working in-house or with multinational businesses on cross-border matters.
Relevant privacy, data protection or AI governance qualification or certification, such as CIPP/E, CIPP/A, CIPM or AIGP.
Exposure to the shipping, maritime, energy, commodities or trading sectors.

Personal Attributes

Given the nature of the role and its position within a small international team, the successful candidate should be:

Self-motivated, well-organised and able to manage competing priorities and take ownership of matters independently.
Responsive and reliable, with sound judgement and an understanding of when issues should be escalated.
A clear and practical communicator, comfortable working with colleagues across different functions, levels of seniority, cultures and time zones.
Collaborative and adaptable, with a genuine interest in developing expertise across data protection, privacy and compliance.
Comfortable working across time zones and adapting to the pace and priorities of an international in-house environment.

Location

Manila, Philippines. The candidate will be expected to work predominantly in the BW Group's Manila office, which houses over 120 staff across a range of business functions. This is not a remote or home-based position, although some working from home days can be accommodated in line with BW Group policy.