Our Client is a movement pushing the boundaries of electric mobility. From engineering India's most advanced EV products to designing futuristic EVs, they thrive on innovation, audacity, and the relentless pursuit of performance.

They are a diverse team of trailblazers, engineers, designers, and visionaries united by a shared obsession: to craft machines that are sustainable and exhilarating. Their mission is to accelerate the evolution of mobility across the globe.

Their culture is powered by innovation, integrity, speed, and a relentless drive to be the BEST - Bold, Empowering, Stimulating, and Transformative.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Our Client is looking for a seasoned, commercially astute Senior Legal Counsel / Head of Legal with 12 - 15 years of comprehensive experience to head our legal function.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Data Privacy & Protection (DPO Function):

- Serve as the company's designated Data Protection Officer (DPO), driving full compliance with global and domestic privacy frameworks (including GDPR and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act).

- Design, implement, and maintain enterprise privacy policies, data processing agreements (DPAs), and standard operating procedures across connected vehicle ecosystems, consumer platforms, and internal systems.

- Lead investigations and response protocols for potential data breaches, managing mandatory disclosures and regulatory communications.

- Execute periodic data audits, Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) across all data-processing workflows.

- Conduct company-wide training and awareness programs to foster a privacy-by-design culture.

2. Commercial Contracts & Lifecycle Management:

- Draft, negotiate, and execute high-value, complex commercial contracts - including vendor agreements, technology licensing, strategic partnerships, OEM/supply agreements, dealer network contracts, and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

- Structure and maintain standard contract templates, master service agreements (MSAs), and playbooks to streamline operational efficiency across departments.

- Direct the end-to-end contract lifecycle - from initial term sheet analysis and drafting through risk mitigation, execution, renewal, and termination.

3. Corporate Governance, Compliance & Regulatory Affairs:

- Partner with the leadership team and Company Secretarial function to handle board resolutions, minutes, shareholder agreements, filings, and statutory records.

- Ensure robust adherence to corporate governance standards, statutory frameworks under the Companies Act, and industry-specific automotive/EV standards.

- Manage legal obligations related to corporate permits, manufacturing and operational licensing, regulatory approvals, and safety compliances.

- Support internal and statutory compliance audits, identifying operational and legal risks and instituting actionable corrective measures.

4. Strategic Transactions & M&A:

- Lead the legal workstreams for corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and equity/debt fundraises.

- Coordinate and conduct comprehensive legal due diligence, review transaction documentation (SHA, SSA, term sheets), and manage external transaction counsel.

5. Intellectual Property Protection (IPR):

- Direct the safeguarding, management, and enforcement of the company's intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights, and trade secrets.

- Advise engineering and product teams on IP risks, freedom-to-operate (FTO), and third-party software licensing (including open-source compliance).

6. Litigation & Dispute Resolution:

- Formulate and execute legal strategies for ongoing or potential commercial disputes, labour matters, consumer complaints, and regulatory inquiries.

- Represent the company's interests by prioritizing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, mediations, and negotiated settlements wherever viable.

- Manage and coordinate with external litigation counsel; supervise case filings, evidence collation, discovery, and witness briefing.

- Provide executive dashboards and briefings to senior management on dispute status, exposure risks, and mitigation roadmaps.

7. General Advisory & Cross-Functional Alignment:

- Provide daily, pragmatic legal counsel to HR, R&D, IT, Supply Chain, and Finance on day-to-day operational issues, employment laws, and intellectual property.

- Advise on consumer-facing legal matters, product warranties, dealer relationships, and consumer protection laws.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from a recognized institution; an LL.M. or relevant post-graduate certification in Data Protection / Cyber Law / Corporate Law is a plus.

- 12 - 15 years of post-qualification legal experience, ideally featuring a blend of premier law firm practice and senior in-house corporate counsel roles (automotive, high-tech, manufacturing, or hardware-software ecosystems preferred).

- Practical experience acting as a DPO or directing GDPR/data privacy implementation; certifications such as CIPP/E, CIPM, or DSCI DCPLA are highly desirable.

- Strong experience drafting, structuring, and closing complex commercial transactions, supply chain contracts, and joint ventures under Indian and international law.

- Demonstrated experience managing corporate disputes, working with external senior advocates, and handling board-level corporate governance.

- Exceptional stakeholder management, executive presence, and the ability to explain legal risks clearly and decisively to business leaders.