Legal Counsel - Employment (APAC & MEA)

Overview

Legal Counsel - Employment (APAC) role supporting Payoneer Workforce Management entities in India and the APAC region, providing employment and labour law advice across the employee lifecycle for EoR and AoR employee populations.

What you'll do

• Provide practical employment law advice across the full employee lifecycle in multiple APAC and MEA jurisdictions, including hiring, employment terms, statutory benefits, disciplinary processes, performance actions, separations, and workforce restructuring.
• Advise on and manage employee relations matters, including complex terminations, mutual separations, and dispute resolution, ensuring risk-aligned outcomes for EoR clients.
• Draft, review, and refine employment documentation including employment agreements, separation and mutual termination letters, transfer and relocation documents, full and final settlement letters, and statutory HR policies.
• Ensure compliance with labour laws across all relevant jurisdictions.
• Serve as POSH Internal Committee (IC) member or advisor, ensuring compliance obligations under the India Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act are met, and personally managing or supporting inquiry proceedings as required by law.
• Assist in developing and implementing employment, HR, compensation, and workforce-structuring policies aligned to local laws and business needs, including drafting and updating employee handbooks and statutory policies across multiple jurisdictions.
• Stay ahead of legislative and regulatory developments across central and state employment laws and translate updates into actionable guidance for internal stakeholders and clients.
• Collaborate closely with Legal, HR Ops, Payroll, Finance, Sales, and GTM teams to deliver commercially aligned legal solutions across all relevant jurisdictions.
• Support individual and large-scale workforce transitions, reorganisations, and restructuring projects, ensuring legal compliance and robust documentation throughout.
• Conduct legal research and prepare clear analysis on employment and labour law issues as required.
• Deliver training and guidance to internal teams and clients on employment law compliance, risk mitigation, and best practices.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB)
• 2-5 years of hands-on experience in Indian employment and labour law, from a reputable law firm or an in-house legal function
• Deep, practical knowledge of Indian labour laws and regulations, including the four Labour Codes (Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Code on Social Security, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code), POSH, and applicable state-level rules
• Understanding of the legal nuances of hiring, employee lifecycle management, workforce transitions, and separations in India and other APAC and MEA jurisdictions
• Strong drafting skills, with experience preparing and reviewing employment agreements, HR policies, separation documentation, and related employment artefacts
• Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving abilities, with the ability to translate legal requirements into practical, business-aligned guidance
• Ability to communicate legal concepts clearly and confidently, partnering effectively with HR, business teams, and leadership
• Ability to work independently and as part of a wider team, manage multiple matters simultaneously, and operate with sound judgment in fast-moving environments
• Strong attention to detail, reliability, and a commitment to accuracy and compliance

Nice to have

• Master's degree or LLM
• Exposure to employment laws of other APAC jurisdictions
• Prior experience working in or advising an Employer of Record (EoR) or global workforce management platform
• Experience working with US based companies

Details

• Location: Gurugram, India
• Reports to the Senior Legal Counsel - Employment (APAC & MEA)