Lead Expert Counsel

Lead Expert Counsel - Legal & Compliance
Location: Mumbai India
Function: Legal & Compliance
Reporting To: Chief Legal Officer (CLO)

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced legal professional to join as Lead Expert Counsel and drive strategic legal advisory compliance governance risk management intellectual property protection ESG compliance and emerging regulatory matters across a diversified business environment. The role will partner closely with business leadership legal teams regulators and external counsel to ensure robust governance while enabling business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advisory & Risk Management
Act as a trusted legal advisor on high-risk and strategic matters across multiple business functions.
Provide expert guidance on compliance governance ESG intellectual property data privacy anti-bribery sanctions competition law human rights environmental regulations and emerging legal frameworks.
Develop and implement legal risk mitigation strategies while ensuring business continuity.
Lead investigations into legal and ethical breaches and recommend corrective actions.

Compliance & Governance
Drive enterprise-wide compliance programs and governance initiatives.
Oversee compliance monitoring reporting legal audits and risk control mechanisms.
Enhance compliance processes through digitization automation and policy improvements.
Develop awareness and training modules for internal stakeholders on regulatory requirements and compliance best practices.

Strategic Business Partnering
Partner with business leadership to provide commercially pragmatic legal solutions.
Support policy advocacy initiatives and represent organizational interests before industry bodies and regulators.
Monitor domestic and global regulatory developments including ESG AI regulation sanctions privacy laws and governance standards.

Litigation & Regulatory Matters
Support management of critical legal proceedings and regulatory matters.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to formulate litigation and dispute-resolution strategies.
Engage with regulatory authorities government bodies and external advisors when required.

Team Leadership
Lead and mentor a team of legal professionals.
Drive knowledge-sharing initiatives and capability-building programs.
Foster a culture of compliance governance and proactive risk management.

External Counsel Management
Select manage and evaluate external legal advisors and consultants.
Negotiate fee arrangements and ensure cost-effective delivery of legal services.

Candidate Profile
Education
LLB / LLM from a reputed institution.
Additional certifications in Compliance ESG Data Privacy Corporate Governance or Intellectual Property will be preferred.
Experience
15 years of post-qualification experience in corporate legal compliance governance or regulatory advisory roles.
Experience advising large corporates diversified business groups law firms or multinational organizations.
Strong exposure to compliance ESG governance regulatory affairs intellectual property and emerging legal frameworks.

Key Competencies
Strategic Legal Advisory
Corporate Governance & Compliance
Risk Identification & Mitigation
Regulatory Affairs
ESG & Sustainability Compliance
Intellectual Property Management
Data Privacy & Emerging Regulations
Stakeholder Management
Negotiation & Influencing Skills
Leadership & Team Development
Analytical & Problem-Solving Ability
Strong Communication & Presentation Skills

Required Skills:

LitigationAnti briberyESG