Job Description:

Head - Corporate Legal

Location: Mumbai / Gurugram

Industry: NBFC / Financial Services

Reporting To: Group General Counsel / COO

Role Overview:

We are looking for an accomplished Corporate Legal leader to act as a strategic advisor to the senior management team on complex corporate and business matters. This role goes beyond traditional legal documentation and focuses on enabling business growth through sound legal structuring, strategic advisory, governance, and risk management.

The incumbent will partner closely with the CEO, CFO, business leaders, investment teams, and external advisors on high-value strategic initiatives including joint ventures, mergers & acquisitions, capital raising, IPO readiness, corporate restructuring, strategic partnerships, and other transformational projects.

The role requires exceptional commercial acumen, the ability to simplify complex legal issues for business stakeholders, and experience in advising management on critical business decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Business Advisory:

- Serve as the principal legal advisor to senior management on strategic corporate initiatives.

- Provide commercially practical legal advice while balancing business objectives with legal and regulatory risks.

- Partner with leadership on evaluating new business opportunities, strategic investments, partnerships, and expansion initiatives.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Strategic Transactions:

- Advise on acquisitions, mergers, divestitures, business transfers, and strategic investments.

- Lead legal due diligence, transaction structuring, negotiation strategy, and risk assessment.

- Coordinate with investment bankers, external law firms, consultants, and regulatory advisors through the transaction lifecycle.

Joint Ventures & Strategic Alliances:

- Structure and negotiate joint ventures, shareholder arrangements, strategic alliances, and investment partnerships.

- Draft and negotiate definitive agreements while safeguarding the company's commercial interests.

Fund Raising & Capital Markets:

- Advise management on domestic and international fundraising initiatives, including equity, debt, structured finance, private placements, and institutional investments.

- Support legal aspects of capital infusion, strategic investments, and financing transactions.

- Work alongside finance and investment banking teams to ensure regulatory compliance and efficient transaction execution.

IPO & Capital Market Readiness:

- Provide legal leadership on IPO planning and execution.

- Coordinate with merchant bankers, legal advisors, regulators, auditors, and other stakeholders.

- Advise on listing regulations, disclosure requirements, governance frameworks, and post-listing obligations.

Corporate Structuring:

- Advise on holding company structures, subsidiary formation, corporate reorganisations, cross-border investments, and tax-efficient legal structures.

- Recommend appropriate legal frameworks for new businesses and investment vehicles.

Risk Management:

- Identify legal risks arising from strategic initiatives and recommend practical mitigation strategies.

- Develop legal frameworks that facilitate business growth while protecting organisational interests.

Desired Candidate Profile:

- LLB from a reputed law school. LLM or Company Secretary qualification would be an advantage.

- 15-20 years of post-qualification experience.

- Significant experience in corporate legal advisory within a leading NBFC, private bank, financial institution, investment platform, private equity-backed organisation, or top-tier corporate law firm.

- Demonstrated experience advising on:

1. Mergers & Acquisitions

2. Joint Ventures

3. Corporate Restructuring

4. Fund Raising

5. IPOs and Capital Markets

6. Structured Transactions

7. Strategic Investments

8. Shareholder and Investment Agreements

- Strong understanding of Companies Act, RBI regulations, FEMA, SEBI regulations, and corporate governance frameworks.

- Experience working directly with Boards, promoters, CXOs, and investment teams.