Legal Manager

Role Purpose

To provide end-to-end legal support for commercial contracting with a primary focus on office and retail leasing transactions, ensuring strong risk mitigation, enforceability, and alignment with business objectives. The role will involve drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and managing complex lease documentation and related commercial agreements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Commercial Leasing & Documentation

• Draft, review, and negotiate lease deeds, agreements to lease, leave & license agreements, renewals, amendments, and termination agreements for office and retail assets.
• Structure and vet retail mall documentation, including occupier agreements, fit-out agreements, CAM agreements, and signage rights.
• Ensure documentation is legally robust, commercially aligned, and lessor-favourable, with clear allocation of risks and obligations.

2. Contract Management

• Handle a wide range of commercial contracts, including:
• Service provider agreements
• Facility management agreements
• Power supply / utilities agreements
• Marketing and branding arrangements
• Develop and standardise templates, clauses, and playbooks to improve efficiency and consistency.

3. Negotiation & Deal Support

• Actively participate in commercial negotiations with tenants, retailers, and counterparties.
• Provide pragmatic legal solutions balancing risk and business requirements.
• Support business teams in deal structuring and closure timelines.

4. Risk Mitigation & Compliance

• Identify and mitigate legal risks in leasing and commercial arrangements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, including:
• Transfer of Property Act
• Stamp laws and registration requirements
• RERA (where applicable)
• Local municipal and development regulations
• Review and advise on insurance, indemnity, liability, and exit provisions.

5. Dispute Management Support

• Assist in handling tenant disputes, defaults, and enforcement actions, including termination and repossession.
• Coordinate with external counsel where required.
• Draft notices for breach, termination, and recovery.

6. Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with leasing, asset management, finance, projects, and facility teams.
• Provide timely legal inputs on business proposals and operational issues.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong expertise in commercial leasing (office and retail).
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to provide solution-oriented, business-friendly legal advice.
• High level of ownership, responsiveness, and stakeholder management.
• Strong understanding of real estate laws and regulatory framework in India.

Qualifications & Experience

• LL.B. / LL.M. from a recognized university.
• 10+ years of experience in real estate / commercial contracts, preferably with a real estate developer, law firm, or corporate legal team.
• Demonstrated experience in handling large-scale office and retail leasing transactions.

Preferred Experience

• Exposure to mall leasing / retail portfolio management.
• Experience in standardisation of legal documents and processes.
• Familiarity with multi-city leasing operations.