Reliance Nippon Life Insurance - General Counsel - Indirect Tax

A leading diversified business group is seeking an experienced legal professional to head its Indirect Tax legal function. This senior role will focus on providing expert legal counsel on GST and other indirect tax laws, managing complex litigation, ensuring compliance, and supporting business operations with strategic legal insight.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advisory Indirect Tax

- Advise internal stakeholders on implications of GST, customs, excise, VAT legacy issues, and other indirect tax legislations.

- Support tax structuring and planning from a legal standpoint across procurement, supply chain, operations, and business restructuring.

- Monitor legal and regulatory developments in indirect taxation and assess business impact.

Litigation & Representation

- Lead indirect tax litigation strategy, including drafting replies, appeals, and submissions before adjudicating authorities, appellate tribunals, High Courts, and the Supreme Court.

- Handle legal scrutiny of show cause notices, investigations, audits, and summons issued by GST and customs authorities.

- Liaise with external counsel and represent the company in key legal proceedings when required.

Compliance & Risk Management

- Provide legal oversight on all indirect tax compliances, filings, reconciliations, and tax positions taken.

- Evaluate indirect tax exposures and recommend mitigating strategies.

- Ensure internal tax controls are legally sound and aligned with statutory requirements.

Stakeholder Coordination

- Work closely with the Finance, Tax, Commercial, and Operations teams to provide proactive legal solutions to ongoing and proposed transactions.

- Engage with senior leadership to brief on key legal risks, regulatory changes, and litigation updates.

Candidate Profile

- LL.B. from a reputed law institution; LL.M. or professional certifications in tax laws are advantageous.

- 12 to 18 years of focused experience in Indirect Tax law (GST, customs, excise, VAT), preferably in large corporates or leading law firms.

- Proven ability to manage high-value indirect tax litigation and advisory matters independently.

- Strong grasp of GST regime, transitional tax issues, and evolving regulatory landscape.

- Excellent legal drafting, argumentation, and negotiation skills.

- Ability to lead in a dynamic, fast-paced regulatory environment with a commercial mindset.

Preferred Background:

- Experience in sectors with complex supply chains or regulatory oversight such as infrastructure, energy, logistics, manufacturing, or EPC is preferred. A combination of law firm and in-house corporate exposure is highly regarded.