Role : Lead Expert Counsel - Legal & Compliance

Location : Mumbai, India

Function : Legal & Compliance

Reporting To : Chief Legal Officer (CLO)

About the Role :

We are seeking an experienced legal professional to join as Lead Expert Counsel and drive strategic legal advisory, compliance governance, risk management, intellectual property protection, ESG compliance, and emerging regulatory matters across a diversified business environment. The role will partner closely with business leadership, legal teams, regulators, and external counsel to ensure robust governance while enabling business growth.

Key Responsibilities :

Legal Advisory & Risk Management :

- Act as a trusted legal advisor on high-risk and strategic matters across multiple business functions.

- Provide expert guidance on compliance, governance, ESG, intellectual property, data privacy, anti-bribery, sanctions, competition law, human rights, environmental regulations, and emerging legal frameworks.

- Develop and implement legal risk mitigation strategies while ensuring business continuity.

- Lead investigations into legal and ethical breaches and recommend corrective actions.

Compliance & Governance :

- Drive enterprise-wide compliance programs and governance initiatives.

- Oversee compliance monitoring, reporting, legal audits, and risk control mechanisms.

- Enhance compliance processes through digitization, automation, and policy improvements.

- Develop awareness and training modules for internal stakeholders on regulatory requirements and compliance best practices.

Strategic Business Partnering :

- Partner with business leadership to provide commercially pragmatic legal solutions.

- Support policy advocacy initiatives and represent organizational interests before industry bodies and regulators.

- Monitor domestic and global regulatory developments, including ESG, AI regulation, sanctions, privacy laws, and governance standards.

Litigation & Regulatory Matters :

- Support management of critical legal proceedings and regulatory matters.

- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to formulate litigation and dispute-resolution strategies.

- Engage with regulatory authorities, government bodies, and external advisors when required.

Team Leadership :

- Lead and mentor a team of legal professionals.

- Drive knowledge-sharing initiatives and capability-building programs.

- Foster a culture of compliance, governance, and proactive risk management.

External Counsel Management :

- Select, manage, and evaluate external legal advisors and consultants.

- Negotiate fee arrangements and ensure cost-effective delivery of legal services.

Education :

- LLB / LLM from a reputed institution.

- Additional certifications in Compliance, ESG, Data Privacy, Corporate Governance, or Intellectual Property will be preferred.

Experience :

- 15+ years of post-qualification experience in corporate legal, compliance, governance, or regulatory advisory roles.

- Experience advising large corporates, diversified business groups, law firms, or multinational organizations.

- Strong exposure to compliance, ESG, governance, regulatory affairs, intellectual property, and emerging legal frameworks.

Key Competencies :

- Strategic Legal Advisory

- Corporate Governance & Compliance

- Risk Identification & Mitigation

- Regulatory Affairs

- ESG & Sustainability Compliance

- Intellectual Property Management

- Data Privacy & Emerging Regulations

- Stakeholder Management

- Negotiation & Influencing Skills

- Leadership & Team Development

- Analytical & Problem-Solving Ability

- Strong Communication & Presentation Skills