Director - Derivatives Legal - Global Markets

Role Overview:

We are seeking a seasoned Legal professional to spearhead our Derivatives Legal practice as the Head (Director) for our Mumbai operations. In this high-impact leadership role, you will oversee the end-to-end legal framework governing complex derivative transactions, ensuring robust risk mitigation and regulatory compliance across global jurisdictions. You will act as a strategic partner to senior business stakeholders, front-office trading desks, and global risk committees, providing authoritative counsel on ISDA Master Agreements and related documentation. By leading a high-performing team of legal professionals, you will drive the firm's transactional efficiency, safeguard our contractual interests, and ensure that our legal infrastructure remains resilient in an evolving global financial landscape.

Key Responsibilities:

- Direct the negotiation, drafting, and execution of ISDA Master Agreements, Credit Support Annexes, and ancillary derivatives documentation to protect the firm's commercial interests.

- Provide expert legal advisory to senior management on complex regulatory developments, including EMIR, Dodd-Frank, and local market regulations, to ensure seamless business continuity.

- Lead and mentor a large, multi-disciplinary legal team, fostering a culture of technical excellence and operational efficiency to meet aggressive transactional timelines.

- Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders including Credit Risk, Treasury, and Compliance to resolve complex contractual disputes and mitigate systemic legal risks.

- Oversee the implementation of standardized legal processes and digital documentation workflows to enhance the scalability and accuracy of the firm's derivatives business.

Required Skillset:

- Demonstrated mastery in drafting and negotiating complex ISDA Master Agreements and related derivatives documentation, backed by 15 to 25 years of intensive experience in a top-tier law firm or global financial institution.

- Proven ability to navigate intricate regulatory frameworks and provide commercially viable legal solutions that align with the firm's risk appetite.

- Exceptional leadership capabilities, with a track record of managing large, diverse legal teams and driving high-performance outcomes in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

- Superior interpersonal and communication skills, enabling the ability to influence senior stakeholders and represent the firm's interests in high-stakes negotiations.

- A degree in Law (LL.B. or LL.M.) from a premier institution, combined with a deep understanding of the global financial markets and the nuances of derivative products.

- High adaptability to a hybrid work environment, maintaining strong team cohesion and operational oversight across global time zones.