Legal Head

Job Description

Department : Legal Location : Hyderabad Reports To : Managing Director Type : Full-time / Permanent About the Client : Our client is a business conglomerate headquartered in Hyderabad, India. With almost 10 years since its incorporation, it has business panning across various verticals Infrastructure (Highways, Seaports, Airports, Irrigation, Bridges, Tunnels and Power Projects) & Engineering, Construction, Port Operations and Real Estate. Business interest in various countries like Singapore, USA, UAE, Germany, France, Netherlands and more. Job Summary: We are seeking an experienced and commercially savvy Legal Head to lead the legal function of our Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) company. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of national and international EPC contracts, litigation, and regulations. This role requires a strategic thinker who understands the commercial implications of legal decisions and can help establish a robust legal department. You will work closely with the executive team to mitigate risks, ensure legal compliance, and support the company’s growth in both domestic and global markets. Key Responsibilities: Legal Strategy & Department Setup: Establish and lead the legal department, creating processes and frameworks for handling all legal matters. Develop and implement legal strategies aligned with business goals, ensuring all legal practices follow best practices and industry standards. Serve as the legal advisor to the Managing Director and the Board on all legal matters. Implement compliance programs, ensuring adherence to national and international legal standards, rules, and regulations in the EPC sector. Contracts & Documentation: Draft, review, and negotiate complex EPC contracts, including agreements for construction, procurement, and supply chain management. Provide guidance on contract management and dispute resolution mechanisms to minimize risks. Ensure that all project documentation complies with applicable regulations and is structured to safeguard the organization’s interests. Contracts for JV’s / Partnership projects to be ratified and checked. In case Fund Raising for International projects, Documentation needs to be checked and ratified. Litigation & Risk Management: Oversee litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution proceedings to protect the company’s interests. Actively manage external counsel and legal service providers. Proactively identify potential legal risks and provide solutions to mitigate them. Commercial Legal Guidance: Provide commercial insights by understanding the business impact of legal decisions, helping the company navigate commercial risks and opportunities. Advise senior management on the legal and commercial implications of decisions, agreements, and transactions. International & National Compliance: Possess a 360 view of the EPC industry, understanding the intricacies of legal frameworks across different geographies. Ensure compliance with national and international laws, especially in cross-border projects involving multiple jurisdictions. Stay up-to-date with global legal trends and regulations impacting the EPC sector, including contractual, labor, environmental, and tax laws. Team Leadership & Development: Build, manage, and mentor a team of in-house legal professionals. Collaborate cross-functionally with project management, procurement, and finance teams to ensure legal support across the company’s operations. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) is required; Master’s degree in Law (LLM) is preferred. A minimum of 18 years of legal experience, with at least 9 years in a leadership role in the EPC or construction industry. Extensive experience in EPC contracts, litigation, arbitration, and cross-border legal matters. Strong understanding of global and Indian EPC regulations, laws, and compliance requirements. Proven experience in managing complex legal transactions across various jurisdictions.