Manager - Legal

Overview:

This position is responsible for managing the organizations legal department for all real estate- related matters. This role involves developing and executing a comprehensive legal strategy aligned with the companys business objectives, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, and safeguarding the organization's interests in all transactions and disputes.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Legal Strategy & Risk Management

• Develop and implement the company's legal strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Provide counsel to senior leadership on legal risks, rights, and obligations.
• Formulate and monitor policies for risk identification, mitigation, and prevention.

2. Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with RERA, environmental regulations, and state/municipal property laws.
• Monitor changes in legislation (land acquisition, environmental, ESG mandates).
• Act as the primary liaison with Noida Authority, DDA, and other development authorities to secure approvals and resolve compliance issues.

3. Land Acquisition & Due Diligence

• Oversee land acquisitions across India, including Delhi NCR.
• Conduct thorough legal due diligence (title verification, encumbrances, ownership history).
• Identify and resolve title defects, disputes, or risks before transactions.
• Ensure all contracts, deeds, and permissions are legally compliant and enforceable.

4. Contract Drafting & Negotiation

• Draft, review, and negotiate sale deeds, lease agreements, JV agreements, MoUs, development agreements, vendor/service contracts.

• Lead negotiations with landowners, partners, and contractors to secure favorable terms.

• Ensure contracts protect financial and legal interests while maintaining positive relationships.

5. Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Manage litigation across civil, criminal, arbitration, and tribunal forums.
• Handle disputes under:
• MSMED Act (delayed payments, liabilities).
• Arbitration & Conciliation Act (Sections 9 & 11).
• Negotiable Instruments Act (cheque dishonor cases).
• RERA, NGT, DRT, and consumer courts.
• Coordinate with external counsel and maintain a litigation tracker.
• Pursue settlements and ensure cost-effective dispute resolution.

6. Representation & Regulatory Liaison

• Represent the organization before regulators, tribunals, courts, and government bodies.
• Advocate for the company's interests in hearings and high-stakes negotiations.
• Liaise with urban development, environmental, and industrial authorities for approvals and clearances.

7. External Counsel & Vendor Management

• Engage and oversee external law firms and counsels.
• Negotiate fee structures, monitor quality of legal advice, and control legal spend.
• Build long-term partnerships with external legal partners while ensuring cost efficiency.

8. Contract Management & Documentation

• Standardize and systematize legal documentation processes.
• Vet agreements drafted by other departments for legal soundness.
• Maintain a clause library and contract templates for consistency.
• Ensure proper archival and retrieval of contracts, deeds, and regulatory approvals.

10. Net Green Building & Sustainability Compliance

• Integrate Net Green Building concepts and ESG compliance into contracts and transactions.

Ensure adherence to LEED, IGBC, GRIHA standards and Bureau of Energy Efficiency norms.

• Liaise with environmental authorities and NGT for approvals.
• Draft sustainability-linked clauses (energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon neutrality).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in law (LL.B.). LL.M. preferred but not mandatory.
• Enrollment with the Bar Council of India.
• 5–10 years of legal practice, with significant experience in:
• Real estate law and land acquisition across India.
• Delhi NCR & Noida Authority regulations.
• Civil and criminal litigation, arbitration, tribunal cases (RERA/NGT/DRT).
• Contract drafting and negotiation in large-scale property transactions.

Soft Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Communication – clear, concise, and persuasive legal communication.
• Negotiation & Influencing – strong deal-making and dispute resolution abilities.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – partner effectively with finance, operations, and sustainability teams.
• Analytical & Detail-Oriented – strong due diligence and issue-spotting skills.
• Ethical Integrity & Resilience – high standards, confidentiality, and adaptability in complex disputes.