Deputy Vice President-Legal, Advisory Deputy Vice President-Legal, Advisory with verification
Job Description
Position Responsibilities Job Description
Role Purpose
This is a middle management role, being the second line of defense and a successor to the Legal Advisory Lead.
The role is responsible for advising internal stakeholders on critical contractual arrangements, regulatory requirements, and enterprise risks inherent in such matters / contracts with specific focus on BFSI / Fintech sector.
As a specialist in the financial services, the incumbent is expected to leverage deep knowledge and understanding of contract drafting, regulatory framework and industry nuances to pre-empt and address various legal / contractual risks while rendering legal advice.
The role also represents the legal advisory team across cross-functional projects undertaken by the Company from time to time. Additionally, it is also expected to spear heading the legal function with various external stakeholders. The role is also expected to be a CoE for certain laws / regulatory areas.
Role Accountability
Contract Advisory – Critical agreements
Draft, vet and negotiate critical contracts from different business functions, including Marketing agreements, Co-Brands, IT Agreements, Outsourcing Agreements, Debenture Trustee Agreements and Finance related agreements.
Provide support in negotiation on deals with prospective vendors, consultants, etc.
Pre-empt and address the business/ regulatory risk for the Company through skillful drafting, negotiation and execution of contracts.
Ensure compliance with various laws and regulatory mandate applicable on third party service providers, including digital payments services, cyber security, outsourcing, etc., while drafting agreements.
Regulatory Advisory
Key Role in Rendering legal opinion(s) and advisory which would impact the business strategy and decisions.
Helping the business teams in structuring and designing the important commercial arrangements (i.e., network deals, con brand agreements, asset sale arrangements) to address business / legal risk.
Examine the permissibility w.r.t. contracting with various vendors from a regulatory aspect as well as from a contractual perspective.
Adept at handling a wide range of issues, through interpretative, innovative and path breaking thinking esp. in today dynamic age where the regulations and legislations are archaic.
Deep Domain expertise of the various laws including but not limited to Company law, Competition, Contract, Commercial law, Banking law, etc.
Coordination with Regulatory authorities for critical matters, including RBI, NPCI, UIDAI etc.
SME for Data Protection laws
This role shall play an active role in advising internal stakeholders on the newly enacted Data privacy regime, conducting a gap analysis of company policies and operational processes, drafting customer consents and process flows, etc., to ensure compliance with the laws and to address the requirements / gaps.
Working closely with the Data Privacy Officer to work on privacy policies, customer T&Cs and regulatory matters.
Keeping abreast of developments in the industry, regulatory framework, best practices for the adoption by the company.
Advise on digital process for customer interface, such as onboarding, VKYC, use of WhatsApp, etc., to ensure customer convenience and regulatory compliance.
Managing External stakeholders
Preparation of various documents, including legal opinions, representations to be submitted to regulators, briefs for legal opinions to be sought from Senior counsels, etc.
Projects
Represent the legal advisory team in functional, as well as cross functional business and strategic projects and provide advisory to the project team on legal matters
Legal Disputes
Negotiate and handle disputes (legal / contractual) with vendors / partners (prior to litigation / arbitration stage) to ensure amicable settlement and negotiation
Draft Legal notices, warning letters and similar communication to be issued to the vendors / partners for breach of contractual or regulatory obligations.
Customer Communication
Review and advise on customer communication, including product T&Cs, Application Forms, emailers, product catalogues from a legal perspective.
Review of the website contents, social media posts and advise on the way forward.
Mentorship
As a leader, mentoring the DRs and interns.
Leading internal assignments and teams
Measures of Success(Define the Outcomes expected of the role)
TAT adherence. Minimal escalations.
Minimal disputes relating to contract drafting / addressing enterprise and operational risks. Advising business on implications of contracts with onerous commercial obligations on SBI Card and negotiating the same with the Partner. Make modifications to significant processes/ represent legal team in CFTs. Internal audit score for own work area/ advisory to other business functions for legal and compliance. Process adherence as per agreed MOU.
Technical Skills / Experience / Certification (If any) Deep Domain expertise in BFSI / Fintech sector, Contract drafting, regulatory insights
Competencies critical for role with High Proficiency Negotiation skills, stakeholder management, analytical skills, business acumen
Key External Stakeholder(s) Vendors and partners, Regulators, Law Firms
Key Internal Stakeholder(s) All internal functions
Must have Qualification LLB
Over All experience in role 10 to 13 years of Post Qualification Experience
Relevant Experience with respect to the role 6-8 years of legal experience, with 3-4 years in a Mid level position
Preferred Industry(If any) Law Firm (experience in corporate law) / In-house position (BFSI/ Service / IT industry) with experience in managing contracts.
Legal Fundamentals