Head of Legal Compliance

Head - Legal - Objective of the role: To lead and manage the organization's legal, compliance, and corporate governance framework, with a strong focus on labour laws, industrial relations, and litigation, while ensuring risk mitigation, regulatory adherence, and effective union management in a manufacturing environment. The role requires experience in a multinational setup, with the ability to collaborate and report to global legal leadership, and effectively work with cross-cultural and expatriate stakeholders across geographies, aligned with business and group legal objectives

Roles & Responsibilities:

Corporate Governance & Board ComplianceLead end-to-end corporate governance framework in line with global standards and Indian regulatory requirementsEnsure seamless conduct of Board, Committee, and Shareholders' Meetings including:Agenda planning, documentation, and statutory compliancePreparation and finalization of minutes and resolutionsAdvise Board and senior leadership on governance best practices and regulatory implications

Companies Act & Secretarial ComplianceEnsure full compliance under the Indian Companies Act and applicable corporate lawsOversee:Filing of statutory returns with Registrar of Companies (ROC) and regulatory bodiesImplementation of Board and shareholder decisions (e.g., appointments, restructuring, buybacks, change in registered office)Act as a key custodian for statutory records, registers, and filings

Group Legal Strategy & GovernancePartner with Head - Group Legal to execute India-level legal strategy aligned with global objectivesConduct legal audits across group entities to ensure compliance and risk mitigationHandle group-level legal matters and litigations in IndiaSupport in global compliance frameworks such as:Code of Conduct (CoC) testingInternal compliance assessments

Contract Management & Commercial LegalLead drafting, vetting, negotiation, and standardization of commercial and legal agreements, including:NDAs, supplier agreements, technology agreements, cooperation agreementsTooling, leasing, licensing, and service agreementsTerms & conditions of sales, bank guarantees, undertakings, and indemnitiesEnsure risk-balanced contracts protecting organizational interestsEstablish contract governance processes and templates

Regulatory Liaison & Government InterfaceBuild and maintain strong relationships with government authorities and regulatory bodiesManage compliance and approvals under:Factories ActLand and revenue laws (state-specific, e.g., Maharashtra Land Revenue Act)Lead approvals for:Factory layout and expansion projectsLand use, zoning, and industrial permissionsRepresent the organization in front of authorities for statutory matters

Litigation & Dispute ManagementLead the company's litigation strategy and execution across civil, criminal, labour, and regulatory mattersRepresent or supervise representation of the company in courts, tribunals, and quasi-judicial bodiesManage:External counsel and law firmsCase strategy, documentation, and evidence preparationDrive out-of-court settlements and dispute resolution mechanisms where feasibleAdvise leadership on legal risks and exposure

Legal Advisory to Business FunctionsAct as a strategic legal advisor to cross-functional teams including:Finance, HR, Operations, Procurement, and SalesProvide proactive guidance on:Legal risk mitigationDocumentation and record-keeping for legal defensibilityPre-litigation strategy and preventive legal frameworksSupport drafting of critical communications with potential legal implications

Land & Property Legal ManagementLead legal due diligence for land acquisition, sale, and leasing transactionsEnsure compliance with:Land revenue laws and property regulationsTitle verification and documentation (7/12 extracts, mutation records, etc.)Oversee drafting and execution of:MoUs, sale deeds, lease agreementsCoordinate with internal and external stakeholders for seamless execution

Claims, Insurance & Risk ManagementOversee claims management and insurance-related matters at group levelManage policy compliance, renewals, and claim settlementsWork closely with insurers, brokers, and internal stakeholdersStrengthen risk mitigation frameworks through insurance planning

Compliance & Ethics FrameworkDrive organization-wide compliance programs covering:Anti-bribery and anti-corruptionFraud preventionAnti-trust and competition lawsConflict of interestESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) standardsImplement compliance monitoring and reporting mechanismsConduct awareness and training programs across the organization

Corporate Law & Business EnablementProvide practical, business-oriented legal solutions on corporate and commercial law mattersSupport strategic initiatives such as:M&A, joint ventures, restructuring (if applicable)Balance legal risk with business objectives to enable decision-making

Team Leadership & Stakeholder ManagementBuild and lead a high-performing legal and secretarial teamCollaborate with global legal teams and senior leadershipManage external stakeholders including:Law firmsConsultantsGovernment authorities

Candidate Profile:Must be from a manufacturing background (automotive/industrial preferred)Strong expertise in: Labour laws & industrial relations Union management, wage negotiations & strike handling Contract drafting and managementHandling labour court cases and litigationExposure to compliance systems/software (implementation or usage)Experience working in a multinational environment, with the ability to collaborate and report to Global/Group Legal leadershipLanguage: candidates with a strong understanding of the local cultural and industrial landscape of Maharashtra will be an advantageStrong negotiation, stakeholder management, and conflict resolution skills