GM – Legal & Company Secretary

Job Title : General Manager – Legal & Company SecretaryLocation : GurgaonReporting To : CFOIndustry : RetailRole OverviewThe GM – Legal & Company Secretary will oversee all legal, compliance, and corporate governance functions for a leading retail brand with pan-India operations. The role requires a deep understanding of retail business complexities—store operations, leases, vendor contracts, consumer laws, and regulatory requirements. The position will act as a key strategic advisor to the leadership team and ensure the organization operates with strong legal discipline and governance excellence.Key Responsibilities1. Corporate Governance & Secretarial Functions- Ensure compliance with Companies Act, SEBI, FEMA, Shop & Establishment Act, and all applicable retail-related laws.- Manage all Board, Committee, and Shareholder meetings — preparation of agenda, minutes, resolutions, statutory registers.- Maintain timely ROC filings and ensure adherence to governance norms.- Advise management and the Board on regulatory updates, risk exposure, and compliance obligations.- Liaison with regulators, statutory bodies, and external stakeholders.2. Legal Advisory for Retail Business- Provide legal oversight on retail operations including store openings, closures, licenses, and compliance.- Draft and negotiate agreements related to leases, franchise, vendors, marketing, logistics, ecommerce, technology, and partnerships.- Address consumer complaints, legal notices, and ensure compliance with the Consumer Protection Act.- Drive compliance for retail policies including POS, data privacy, pricing disclosures, and product / packaging regulatory norms.3. Lease & Property Management- Lead all commercial lease negotiations for stores, warehouses, and offices.- Ensure timely renewals, compliance with lease terms, property documentation, and dispute resolution with landlords.- Support expansion teams with strong legal risk evaluation for new site acquisitions.4. Litigation & Dispute Management- Manage litigation across consumer forums, labour matters, property disputes, and regulatory bodies.- Coordinate with external law firms and legal counsel.- Develop strategies for efficient and cost-effective resolution.5. Risk, Compliance & Process Excellence- Identify legal risks specific to multi-store retail operations and implement strong controls.- Conduct internal compliance audits for stores and backend operations.- Train store teams on legal awareness — leases, local laws, consumer handling, etc.- Implement standardized legal templates and workflows across regions.6. Strategic Business Partnering- Work closely with leadership on expansion, M&A, key partnerships, and strategic initiatives.- Provide practical, business-friendly legal solutions that support growth while ensuring governance discipline.- Serve as a trusted advisor to CXOs and business heads.Skills & Competencies- Strong understanding of retail industry laws, store operations, and commercial real estate.- Excellent expertise in contracts, negotiations, and dispute management.- High integrity, judgement, and risk awareness.- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.- Ability to work in fast-paced, multi-location retail environments.- Proactive, practical, and solution-oriented approach.Qualifications & Experience- LLB + Company Secretary (CS) – both mandatory- 12–18 years of experience in Legal & Secretarial roles, with strong exposure to retail, consumer-facing, or multi-location businesses.- Proven experience in handling Board processes, commercial agreements, leases, and regulatory compliance.- Prior experience in leading legal strategy for large-format or omni-channel retail preferred.Why Join Us?- Opportunity to work with one of India’s most respected retail brands.- High strategic visibility and influence across business functions.- Key role in shaping legal strategy and enabling retail expansion across India.