Legal Head

About Business:

Adani Group: Adani Group is a diversified organisation in India comprising 10 publicly traded companies. It has created a world class logistics and utility infrastructure portfolio that has a pan-India presence. Adani Group is headquartered in Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat, India. Over the years, Adani Group has positioned itself to be the market leader in its logistics and energy businesses focusing on large scale infrastructure development in India with O & M practices benchmarked to global standards. With four IG rated businesses, it is the only Infrastructure Investment Grade issuer in India.

Adani RMRW: Encompassing Adani Road Transport Limited and Adani Water, Adani RMRW is a key infrastructure business of the Adani Group, focused on driving sustainable development. Adani Road Transport Limited specializes in the construction, operation, and maintenance of highways and expressways, ensuring seamless connectivity across India. Adani Water addresses critical water challenges through innovative projects such as desalination plants, water treatment facilities, and irrigation systems, enhancing water availability and sustainability. Together, these businesses aim to deliver world-class infrastructure while fostering environmental stewardship and community impact, making Adani RMRW a leader in India's infrastructure and resource management sector.

Job Purpose:

Legal Head is responsible for leading organization's legal function by developing and implementing strategic frameworks for tender management, contract negotiations, litigation, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder advocacy, while driving risk mitigation, fostering innovation, and aligning legal initiatives with business objectives to safeguard organizational interests and support long-term growth.

1. Strategic Leadership in Tender and Contract Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive legal strategy for tendering and contracting processes, ensuring alignment with long-term organizational objectives.
• Establish frameworks and policies for identifying legal and business risks, enabling proactive risk mitigation during tenders and contracts.
• Set standards and approve critical contracts, ensuring they align with Adani's broader strategic priorities and compliance requirements.

2. Litigation, Dispute Resolution, and Claim Management Strategy

• Design and oversee a dispute resolution strategy, emphasizing pre-litigation settlements to minimize litigation exposure and financial risks.
• Develop organizational protocols for arbitration and litigation, ensuring consistency in representing the company's interests across all forums.
• Establish criteria for selecting external legal counsel, emphasizing strategic alignment, cost-efficiency, and reputation management.
• Monitor and review major disputes, providing regular strategic recommendations to senior leadership for minimizing legal liabilities.

3. Legal Advisory for Projects and Business Growth

• Serve as a strategic partner to senior leadership, offering forward-looking legal counsel on business expansions, M&A activities, and high-value projects.
• Establish a centralized system for reviewing and approving project documentation to ensure consistent compliance and risk management.
• Develop strategic legal roadmaps for project financing and refinancing to support business objectives while ensuring adherence to financial regulations.
• Anticipate and advise on emerging legal risks related to market changes, regulatory shifts, or geopolitical developments, recommending proactive strategies to mitigate them.

4. Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management Strategy

• Lead the design and implementation of company-wide compliance programs, integrating legal risk management into organizational planning.
• Establish a governance framework for regular audits and assessments to ensure compliance with evolving laws and regulations.
• Act as the custodian of the organization's risk register, monitoring legal and regulatory risks and aligning mitigation efforts with business priorities.
• Collaborate with functional heads to embed compliance practices into operational and strategic decision-making processes.

5. Stakeholder Management and External Advocacy

• Build strategic alliances with regulatory authorities, government agencies, and key external stakeholders to anticipate and navigate regulatory challenges.
• Represent the organization in high-stakes negotiations, advocating for favorable terms while maintaining strong external relationships.
• Oversee the creation of centralized repositories for legal documentation, ensuring data security and accessibility to support strategic planning.

6. Leadership, Documentation and Team Development

• Develop and execute a talent management plan for the legal department, ensuring alignment with organizational growth trajectories.
• Standardize processes for drafting, vetting, and finalizing legal documents (e.g., agreements, notices, guarantees, financing documents) within prescribed timelines, ensuring clarity and safeguarding organizational interests.
• Set the strategic direction for the legal team, establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and development opportunities to support organizational objectives.
• Drive a culture of innovation within the legal team, encouraging the adoption of advanced tools, frameworks, and methodologies.
• Establish performance metrics and accountability structures for the legal team to enhance operational and strategic outcomes.

Key Stakeholders - Internal:

Business Development Team

Tendering Team

Projects Team

O&M Team

Finance Team

HR Team

Key Stakeholders - External:

Client (NHAI)

Government Bodies

External Counsel

Education Qualification:

Bachelor's Degree in Law (LLB) and MBA

Work Experience (Range of years):

20+ years of relevant experience