Head - Legal/Compliance & Public Affairs - BFSI

Job Description (Head, Legal, Compliance & Public Affairs for India)

The candidate will serve primarily as corporate counsel for India in Mumbai and all of its branches in India (the - Company- ) and is responsible for providing legal advice and guidance to senior management in India on a wide range of issues, including but not limited to corporate contracts, litigation and claims, corporate issues, business structures and models, M&A, property related issues, employment issues, and insurance and reinsurance regulatory issues. The role also includes oversight of the compliance and public affairs (government relations) function in India as well as risk management where the candidate is expected to anticipate and guard against legal and regulatory risks facing the Company.

Job Responsibilities

- Provide analysis and counsel on a range of legal issues, including corporate issues, business structures and models, M&A, property related issues, employment issues, insurance and reinsurance

- Oversee the drafting and review of contracts and related documents for the procurement or provision of goods and services, confidentiality of proprietary information, employment, leases of space and equipment, and software licenses.

- Analyse a broad range of complex laws and regulations affecting the operations of the Company including those arising from corporate structures and business models

- Represent the Company and/or senior executives and managers in legal proceedings and/or supervise such representation,

- Engage outside counsel on complex legal issues, and supervise and coordinate all work sent to external law firms

- Anticipate and identify legal issues of concern to the senior management team and develop legal strategies and solutions, often in situations of high risk with limited time for assessing alternatives.

- Work closely with regional heads of finance, human resources and compliance in relation to reviewing business practices/ corporate structures, training and investigations.

- Oversight of the compliance and public affairs (government relations) functions in the Company

- Supporting and implementing LCPA efforts for the Company and promoting an ethical and legally compliant business culture. Partnering with senior management and regional teams to achieve desired compliance results.

- Actively participating on appropriate executive, leadership, and/or operating committees.

- Conducting process reviews with members of the Company and/or department LCPA network to ensure transparency processes and procedures are effectively implemented and utilized.

Position Dimensions (Organizational Impact)

The incumbent will report to the Chief Executive of the Company and the LCPA Head for MENA & India.

Educational/Professional/Functional Qualities

- Recognized legal qualifications from India and/or Canada, UK, US, (although this is a local position)

- Admitted to practice in India

- At least 7+ years of post-qualification experience

- Experience in working in-house with a multi-national company or with a reputable law firm with responsibility for review, drafting and negotiation of documentation

- Must be able to grasp business transactions and identify and implement the legal treatment

- Excellent drafting and organizational skills

- Ability to analyze complex legal problems quickly and concisely without direct supervision

Checklist of Requirements for Role in India:

Recognised legal qualification from good law school in India & called to the bar in India

Recognised legal qualification from Canada /UK / US

At least 7 years of post-qualification experience after being called to bar in India

Initial training and work at a top-tier law firm in India

Work experience or exposure outside of India

Experience working in an MNC in India

Experience doing regulatory advisory work, preferably in financial services sectors

Experience handling high volume of contract review, drafting and negotiation

Experience handling employment and litigation matters