Director – Legal Counsel India – Dhruva Advisor

Company Overview

Dhruva Advisors India Pvt. Ltd. is one of India's leading tax advisory firms, known for its global integration and expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments. The company operates primarily in the consultancy and professional services sector, focusing on providing strategic legal and tax advice to its clients.

Job Summary

The Director – Legal Counsel India will be the principal legal advisor for India operations across Dhruva Advisors and its joint venture with Ryan in the Asia-Pacific region. Based in Mumbai, this role will oversee legal operations in India and the Philippines, providing strategic legal counsel across various domains including client and vendor contracting, employment law, regulatory compliance, data protection, disputes, litigation management, and corporate governance. The role reports functionally to the UK-based Associate General Counsel – Europe & Asia-Pacific (Ryan) and operationally to the COO – Dhruva India, supervising two corporate secretarial professionals.

Responsibilities

• Contracting & Commercial Advisory: Review, draft, and negotiate Client Engagement Letters (ELs), Standard Terms of Business (SOTB), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). Provide advocacy and advisory support in high-risk scenarios.
• Employment Law & Ethics: Support global employment counsel on employment cases. Facilitate POSH Committee activities and coordinate compliance training and policy implementation.
• Disputes & Litigation Oversight: Anticipate and manage legal risks, develop strategies in consultation with external counsel as needed.
• Corporate Governance & Compliance: Track compliance with statutory requirements for the region, facilitate board meetings, and support governance initiatives.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with a minimum of 12+ years of relevant post-qualification experience.
• LL.B. / LL.M. from a reputable law university in India. Must be enrolled and qualified to practice law in India.
• Strong exposure to consultancy, tax advisory, or professional services organizations preferred.
• Proven experience in client contracting, vendor agreements, and employment law.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook) and experience with document management systems like SharePoint.

Preferred Skills

• Candidates from multinational corporations (MNCs) headquartered in the US or UK are preferred.
• Strong leadership abilities, including team management and mentoring skills.
• High professional integrity and judgment.

Experience

• Minimum of 12+ years of relevant legal experience, specifically in areas such as employment law, contract management, corporate governance, and litigation.

Environment

• This role is based in Mumbai, India, and involves collaboration with global teams, requiring the ability to work in a high-pressure, deadline-oriented environment.

Salary

Salary details are not specified.

Growth Opportunities

• The position offers high visibility and the opportunity to shape legal strategy not only in India but across the Asia-Pacific region, providing significant career advancement within the organization.

Benefits

• Not specified.