Vertical Head - Legal

Company Overview

Not specified.

Job Summary

To lead and manage the legal function for a specific business vertical of the bank, providing strategic legal advisory, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing litigation, and safeguarding the bank’s interests while enabling business growth.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Legal Advisory: Act as the principal legal advisor for the assigned business vertical (Retail, Corporate, Wholesale, Treasury, etc.). Provide proactive legal inputs on new products, services, and business initiatives. Partner with business leadership to structure deals/transactions in a legally compliant and risk-mitigated manner.
• Contracting & Documentation: Oversee drafting, vetting, and negotiation of complex contracts, loan agreements, security documents, vendor agreements, and investment documentation. Standardize templates, processes, and documentation for efficiency and compliance.
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Supervise litigation and arbitration matters related to the vertical. Engage with external counsel and provide strategic direction on high-stakes cases. Monitor and control legal costs associated with litigation.
• Regulatory & Compliance Management: Ensure compliance with RBI guidelines, banking laws, SEBI, Companies Act, and other applicable statutes. Keep management updated on changes in laws/regulations affecting the business vertical. Support in regulatory inspections, audits, and reporting requirements.
• Risk Management & Governance: Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks in business operations and transactions. Contribute to policy formulation, governance frameworks, and internal controls. Strengthen contract and litigation risk management practices.
• Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Lead and mentor the legal team aligned to the business vertical. Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders (business, risk, compliance, audit, HR). Manage relationships with regulators, statutory authorities, and external counsel.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: LL.B. (mandatory); LL.M. or additional qualifications in corporate/commercial law preferred.
• Experience: 12–18 years of post-qualification experience in legal, preferably with exposure to banking/financial services. Prior experience in managing a team and handling legal responsibilities for a business vertical is highly desirable.
• Key Skills & Competencies:
  • Deep understanding of banking and financial sector laws (Banking Regulation Act, RBI guidelines, FEMA, Contract Act, Companies Act, SARFAESI, IBC, etc.).
  • Strong expertise in contract drafting, structuring transactions, and dispute management.
  • Proven ability to balance legal risk with business priorities.
  • Leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
  • High integrity, decision-making ability, and business acumen.

Preferred Skills

Not specified.

Experience

• 12–18 years of post-qualification experience, preferably with banking/financial services exposure.

Environment

• Location: Mumbai. The work setting and environment aspects have not been specified.

Salary

Not specified.

Growth Opportunities

Not specified.

Benefits

Not specified.