Head of Legal

Company Description Melhor Group specializes in creating exceptional residential spaces that combine comfort, style, and elegance. Known for its thoughtfully designed properties, the company prioritizes delivering refined living experiences through well-planned layouts, inspiring views, and premium amenities. Melhor Group is dedicated to enhancing the standard of living by fostering a sense of community and providing personalized, concierge-style services. With a commitment to excellence and meticulous attention to detail, Melhor Group creates homes that inspire and rejuvenate. Headquartered in North Goa, Melhor Group offers opportunities to be part of an organization shaping the future of quality residential living. Role Overview The Legal Head will lead and manage all legal, regulatory, and compliance matters for construction and real-estate projects across Goa. This role will focus on land acquisition, RERA compliance, construction contracts, statutory approvals, environmental & coastal regulations, and management of disputes/litigation. The role ensures all operations remain legally safeguarded and compliant with central and Goa state-specific regulations. Key Responsibilities Land & Property Legal – Goa Focus - Conduct end-to-end land due diligence in Goa, including: - Title verification, mutation records, Form I & XIV, tenancy checks - Communidade land matters - Conversion of land (Sanad / Town & Country Planning approvals) - Coordinate with local bodies such as TCP, PDA, Panchayat/Municipal councils, Revenue Dept. and other state authorities. Regulatory & Statutory Approvals Ensure timely compliance with Goa-specific requirements including: - Goa Town & Country Planning Act - Goa Land Revenue Code - Goa Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Rules – RERA - BOCW, Pollution Control Board, Fire & Safety, CRZ norms (for coastal areas) - Approvals related to construction licenses, occupancy certificates, and environmental clearances. Construction Contract Management - Draft, review, and negotiate construction contracts, EPC agreements, subcontractor and vendor contracts. - Manage risks related to delays, penalties, variations, and project claims. - Maintain contract documentation and ensure legal compliance across project lifecycle. Litigation & Dispute Resolution - Represent the company in civil courts, arbitration, labour tribunals, and other legal forums in Goa. - Liaise with external legal counsel and ensure timely action on all cases. Labour & Worker Compliance - Oversee compliance under: - Contract Labour Act - BOCW Act - Shops & Establishments Act (for HO and admin sites) - Minimum Wages & statutory benefits applicable in Goa - Support HR and Project teams with worker grievance resolution, safety matters, and contractor compliance audits. Corporate Governance & Risk Management - Monitor legal risks and regulatory changes applicable to Goa’s construction industry. - Conduct periodic legal audits at sites and HO. - Ensure company policies are aligned with state and central legal requirements. Leadership & Advisory - Lead internal legal staff and external counsel network in Goa. - Conduct training on contract & compliance awareness. - Provide strategic legal opinions to management on business decisions. Skills & Competencies - Strong knowledge of construction laws, RERA, CRZ, land & revenue codes in Goa. - Excellent drafting, negotiation, conflict resolution and decision-making skills. - Ability to manage stakeholder expectations across Government, Site Teams, Consultants, and Management. - Familiarity with local administrative procedures in Goa. Qualifications & Experience - LLB (Mandatory) | LLM preferred - 10 years legal experience, with minimum 5 years in construction/real estate in Goa or Western region - Proven track record in land legalities, statutory approvals, and arbitration cases Other Requirements - Frequent travel to project sites within Goa - Ability to handle multilingual communication (English, Hindi, Konkani preferred)