Progcap is a supply chain financing company that provides financial solutions tailored for MSMEs in underserved markets. It offers working capital to retailers and small businesses through its tech-enabled platform, aiming to bridge the credit gap that these enterprises often face. By leveraging data analytics and innovative financial models, Progcap facilitates quick and easy access to credit, helping businesses grow and sustain their operations in a competitive market.

The Company works with corporates across a wide array of industries to facilitate credit, software and commerce solutions to empower the MSMEs, thereby acting as the operating system of these supply chains. Progcap is backed by marquee global investors like Google, Sequoia, Tiger Global and Creation Investments.

Progcap has spent the last decade building one of India's richest datasets across MSMEs and supply chains, along with deep capabilities in lending, technology, and risk management.

Role Overview :

The role anchors the legal support function for the Companys collections vertical. The incumbent will be responsible for driving legal recovery across the portfolio, with particular focus on proceedings under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 and on arbitration, while building structured and repeatable processes for the management of high-volume recovery matters.

The role requires close coordination with the collections, credit, operations and business teams, the ability to take ownership of a large volume of cases and drive them to closure, effective engagement with police and law-enforcement authorities, and the consolidation and channelling of complete case information to external counsel.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Collections - Legal Support :

- Serve as the dedicated legal support for the collections team, managing the legal workflow end-to-end for overdue, defaulted and non-performing accounts.

- Take ownership of a high volume of cases and drive them to resolution, maintaining oversight and control over the case pipeline at all times.

- Keep the collections team apprised of the legal status, available options and next steps in respect of each account.

2. Recovery under the Negotiable Instruments Act :

- Manage proceedings under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, from issuance of the statutory notice through filing, evidence and execution, ensuring strict adherence to limitation and procedural timelines.

- Develop standardized notices, documentation checklists and trackers to enable consistent and efficient handling of cheque-dishonour matters at scale.

- Pursue proceedings diligently to secure recoveries and bring matters to closure.

3. Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution :

- Conduct and manage arbitration proceedings for the recovery of dues, from initiation through to award and execution.

- Establish and institutionalize a structured arbitration framework for the Company, including pursuing arbitration claims with support of external counsels.

- Coordinate online dispute resolution (ODR) and conciliation initiatives where applicable.

4. Liaison with Police and Law-Enforcement Authorities :

- Build and maintain effective working relationships with police and law-enforcement authorities, and engage their assistance, within the framework of law, in the recovery of dues.

- Manage and defend the Company and its employees against frivolous, retaliatory or false complaints.

- Handle and coordinate enquiries and investigations by police and other authorities in relation to collections and recovery matters.

5. Internal Coordination and Process Development :

- Coordinate across the collections, credit, operations, compliance and business teams to drive recovery outcomes and resolve impediments.

- Design, document and implement standard operating procedures and processes for the recovery function.

- Identify and develop improved methods of recovery within the bounds of law.

6. External Counsel Support :

- Act as the single point of contact for consolidating and channelling complete and accurate case information to external counsel and law firms.

- Brief, support and follow up with external counsel to ensure timely action and accountability.

- Maintain organized case files, records and documentation so that no matter is delayed for want of information.

7. Reporting and Governance :

- Develop and maintain trackers and management information systems for Section 138 matters, arbitrations, complaints and recoveries.

- Report recovery outcomes, case status and exposure to the External General Counsel and collections leadership.

- Ensure proper documentation, limitation tracking and compliance with internal policies and applicable law.

Key Requirements :

- Qualification : LL.B. from a recognized institution; enrolment with a Bar Council preferred.

- Experience : 7 - 9 years of post-qualification experience in recovery and collections litigation, preferably with an NBFC, bank or financial-services institution.

- Strong working knowledge of Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, arbitration, and debt-recovery proceedings.

- Demonstrated experience in liaison with police and law-enforcement authorities, and in defending against frivolous or retaliatory complaints.

- Proven ability to develop processes, standard operating procedures and trackers for the management of high-volume litigation.

- Working knowledge of allied recovery mechanisms (SARFAESI, DRT, IBC, ODR and civil and criminal proceedings).

Key Competencies :

- Proactive, assertive and solutions-oriented approach.

- Strong commercial acumen and sound judgement.

- Ability to manage large case volumes with attention to detail.

- Strong negotiation, coordination and stakeholder-management skills.

- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, target-driven environment.

- Receptiveness to direction and supervision, with the ability to adapt approach as required.

- High standards of integrity and professional ethics.

Preferred Background :

- Prior experience as an advocate handling recovery and collections litigation, and/or as an in-house lawyer with an NBFC, bank or financial-services company.

- A track record of managing high-volume Section 138 and arbitration matters.

- Established working relationships with law-enforcement authorities and external counsel in the relevant jurisdictions.