Job Purpose:

The Vice President / Senior Vice President - Compliance & Legal will be responsible for leading and strengthening the Company's Compliance, Regulatory Affairs, Legal and Governance functions. The role will ensure that all business activities are conducted in accordance with applicable RBI regulations, FEMA provisions, Companies Act requirements, AML/KYC guidelines, PMLA obligations, and other regulatory frameworks governing NBFC operations.

The incumbent will act as a strategic advisor to senior management and the Board on regulatory and legal matters, while driving a strong compliance culture, mitigating legal and regulatory risks, and enabling sustainable business growth through sound governance practices.

Compliance & Regulatory Management:

- Ensure full compliance with RBI Master Directions applicable to NBFC-Investment and Credit Companies (NBFC-ICC) and all regulations applicable to a Mid-Layer NBFC.

- Ensure compliance with FEMA regulations, PMLA requirements, Companies Act provisions, FIU-IND guidelines and other applicable regulatory frameworks.

- Oversee implementation and monitoring of:

1. Fair Practices Code (FPC)

2. Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

3. Know Your Customer (KYC)

4. Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)

5. Customer Grievance Redressal Framework

- Develop, review and update compliance policies, procedures, SOPs and internal control mechanisms in line with evolving regulatory requirements.

- Develop and implement a robust Compliance Risk Management Framework across the organization.

- Identify, assess and mitigate compliance risks relating to:

1. Lending Operations

2. Investment Activities

3. Treasury Transactions

4. New Product Launches

5. Strategic Partnerships and Expansion Initiatives

- Conduct periodic compliance reviews and ensure timely closure of compliance gaps and audit observations.

- Drive awareness and training programs to foster a strong compliance culture across the organization.

Regulatory Reporting & Regulatory Liaison:

- Ensure timely and accurate filing of all statutory and regulatory returns, reports and disclosures.

- Oversee submission of:

1. NBS Returns

2. CIC Reporting

3. RBI Filings

4. FIU-IND Reporting

5. STR/CTR Filings

6. FEMA-related Filings

7. Governance and Statutory Disclosures

- Act as the primary point of contact with:

1. Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

2. Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND)

3. Registrar of Companies (ROC)

4. Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)

5. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), where applicable

- Lead regulatory inspections, supervisory reviews, audits and compliance assessments.

- Manage regulatory correspondence, notices, observations and remediation initiatives.

Legal & Transaction Advisory:

- Draft, review, negotiate and finalize:

1. Loan Agreements

2. Facility Agreements

3. Security Creation Documents

4. Deeds of Hypothecation

5. Investment Agreements

6. Share Subscription Agreements

7. Shareholders' Agreements

8. Debenture Documentation

9. Commercial Contracts

10. Vendor Agreements

11. Service Agreements

12. Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)

13. Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs)

14. Term Sheets

- Provide legal support in lending transactions, structured finance transactions, investment transactions and fundraising activities.

- Ensure all legal documentation complies with applicable regulatory and legal requirements.

- Advise management on legal implications of strategic business initiatives, new products, partnerships and market expansion plans.

- Monitor changes in legal and regulatory frameworks and proactively assess their impact on the business.

Legal Risk Management & Due Diligence:

- Lead legal due diligence for investments, lending transactions, acquisitions and strategic partnerships.

- Identify and evaluate legal risks associated with business activities and recommend effective mitigation measures.

- Review and strengthen contractual protections to safeguard the Company's interests.

- Establish legal governance and documentation standards across the organization.

Litigation & Dispute Management:

- Manage litigation, arbitration, recovery proceedings and regulatory enforcement matters.

- Coordinate with external legal counsel and subject matter experts on complex legal matters.

- Develop litigation strategies and monitor legal exposure across the organization.

- Represent the Company before regulators, tribunals, courts and government authorities, where required.

- Provide periodic updates to senior management and the Board on legal and litigation matters.

Minimum Qualification:

- LLB / LLM from a recognized institution.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Company Secretary (CS)

- Chartered Accountant (CA)

- Certifications in Compliance, Risk Management, FEMA, AML/KYC or Financial Regulations

Number of Years of Experience:

12 - 18 Years

Experience (Specific to Organization / Industry):

- Minimum 12 years of experience in Compliance and Legal functions within:

1. NBFCs

2. Banks

3. Housing Finance Companies

4. Lending Platforms

5. Financial Services Organizations

- Strong hands-on experience in RBI-regulated entities is mandatory.

- Experience in handling RBI inspections, audits, regulatory reviews and supervisory observations will be highly preferred.

- Proven experience in lending, treasury, investments, structured finance and fundraising transactions.

- Demonstrated ability to manage regulatory relationships and provide strategic legal counsel to senior management.