This position will be responsible for legal affairs in India and generally supporting the Vice President, Legal, APAC & India in the oversight of legal matters for India. In addition to having the requisite legal skills, the candidate must be a proven leader as the position will supervise 4 members of the current team, including 2 Managers, a Supervisor and a Senior Officer. He or she must demonstrate ability to strategically manage and allocate resources to support the operations of a growing market that is also Herbalife’s no. 1 market in the world. The position Interacts with all levels throughout organization, distributors, customers and vendors. Will serve as the legal representative on the India Management team.
DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:
- Collaborate with India’s General Manager, Controllership, Finance, Corporate Communications, Member Business Practices & Compliance, Ethics & Compliance Office (ECO), HR, Public Affairs and GRA departments to provide practical solutions to mitigate legal risk, while adhering to a high standard of ethical business practices.
- Quickly and effectively identifies legal, public, government or regulatory issues. Recommends practical solutions based on business needs. Anticipates and resolves problems before they become issues of concern or attention to the public or government (including law enforcement) officials and arising from actual or potential lawsuits. Represent Herbalife India corporate entities or its officials in various proceedings if necessary and to the extent possible.
- Assumes leadership role in the India legal department; assists the General Manager and other business functions with crisis management; develops and implements legal training programs designed to minimize legal exposure; and actively engages and partners with General Manager and regional department leaders to promote and protect growth.
- “Client-oriented” and proactively engages business units to resolve/prevent immediate legal issues and to develop long-term strategic objectives by offering creative, practical, and effective counseling
- Familiar with US legal environment, including a working knowledge of US securities, unfair competition, and anti-corruption laws to identify and prevent exposures to U.S. corporate functions.
- Manages the company secretary function.
- Provide ongoing advisory services to management and business units on issues regarding compliance with company laws and regulations and external legal and regulatory privacy and data protection requirements.
- Investigates escalated compliance issues, drafts and reviews legal agreements and product documents.
- Liaises with external counsels and regulatory bodies for enquiries, reporting, inspection or investigation if required.
- Liaises with ECO EMEA and Home Office and supports ECO investigations as needed.
- Communicates with independent Associates/Distributors as needed.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The position will exercise supervisory responsibility over 4 members (namely, 2 Managers, a Supervisor and a Senior Officer) and law firms externally.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience:
- 17+ years of experience working in large Indian or international law firm and/or corporate legal department, preferably with experience in litigation or regulatory matters.
- Fluent in English (written and spoken) with strong communication skills to effectively communicate and coordinate with corporate legal department
- Preferably a member of the bar in any state in India
- Familiarity with Indian Food, Food Safety, Company, FEMA and Consumer Protection laws.
- Experience in leading a practice group or department, including allocating/deploying resources, managing budget, training, and hiring of personnel.
- Experience in direct client contacts and proactive counseling.
- Ability to proactively and independently solve practical problems and carry out responsibilities with minimal supervision
- Ability to solve problems practically and carry out responsibilities with little supervision
- Ability to perform in a results-based environment
- Ability to organize workload for effective implementation
- Ability to interact effectively at all levels with sensitivity to cultural diversity
- Ability to function as an effective team member and team leader
- Ability to adapt as the external environment and organization evolves
- Ability and willingness to travel regularly across India.
Education:
- Bachelor of Laws from a recognized university in India
