Senior Director Legal

Experience: 11–14+ Years PQE (Minimum 4–5 years mandatory In-House experience)

Position Overview

We are seeking a commercially sharp and operationally seasoned legal leader to serve as a pivotal member of our legal function. In this dual-impact role, you will act as a trusted advisor to senior business leadership, bridging the gap between high-level legal strategy and operational execution. You will lead complex, high-stakes matters with minimal supervision, navigating the intersection of law, business strategy, and regulatory compliance to protect and enable the company’s growth.

Core Accountabilities

1. Strategic Transactions & M&A

• End-to-End Leadership: Own the full lifecycle of buy-side and sell-side transactions, including acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships
• Deal Execution: Lead the legal workstream from term sheet and due diligence through to definitive documentation, closing, and post-closing integration
• Commercial Negotiation: Bring sophisticated commercial judgment to the table, working closely with the GC to define deal strategy, structuring, and risk thresholds

2. Technology & Commercial Contracts

• Complex Contracting: Own the negotiation of high-value technology agreements, SaaS platforms, and strategic commercial partnerships
• Process Standardization: Standardize contract management processes to ensure global consistency, liability protection, and risk mitigation
• Proactive Enablement: Partner with business teams to resolve ambiguities and identify legal friction points before they escalate into disputes

3. Regulatory Advisory & Compliance

• Specialized Guidance: Provide actionable advice on FEMA and RBI regulations, particularly regarding cross-border transactions and capital flows
• Data Privacy: Lead the organization’s response to data protection frameworks, including GDPR and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023
• Governance Frameworks: Establish and oversee robust compliance systems that address domestic and international requirements, ensuring legal risks are reported transparently to leadership

4. Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Strategic Oversight: Manage the company’s litigation and arbitration portfolio with a lens on risk, exposure, and cost-efficiency
• External Counsel Management: Direct external law firms to ensure alignment with broader business interests; make critical calls on when to defend, settle, or appeal
• Preventative Strategy: Proactively identify potential disputes and work with internal stakeholders to mitigate risks through contractual or operational adjustments

5. Business Legal Advisory & Real Estate

• Integrated Support: Provide guidance across IP, technology transfer, digital initiatives, employment, and competition law
• Asset Management: Oversee the legal aspects of real estate transactions, including title verification, lease/sale agreements, and regulatory approvals for land development

6. Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Functional Growth: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing in-house legal team, fostering a culture of proactivity and self-sufficiency
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Represent the legal function credibly at the leadership level, partnering with Finance, Product, and Business Development teams to drive informed decision-making

Candidate Profile

• Expertise: 11–14 years of post-qualification experience (PQE), with a mandatory 4–5 years in an in-house environment
• Versatility: A proven track record of handling both sophisticated Corporate/Transactional work and high-stakes Litigation/Regulatory matters
• Autonomy: Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects independently while maintaining a strong reporting line to the General Counsel
• Judgment: Exceptional commercial acumen with the ability to provide legal advice that is technically sound yet practically executable