Manager - Legal

Role & responsibilities

1. Contract Management

• Manage the entire contract lifecycle including drafting, reviewing, negotiating, finalizing, and monitoring compliance.
• Participate in commercial discussions with internal stakeholders and external parties to align legal risk mitigation with business objectives.
• Maintain a repository of agreements, oversee renewals, and ensure timely amendments and updates.

2. Intellectual Property (IP) Management

• Oversee adoption, prosecution, registration, renewal, and enforcement of trademarks and copyrights (including international IPR).
• Conduct trademark searches and advise on brand strategy, especially in foreign markets such as Africa and GCC.
• Manage a large global trademark portfolio and coordinate with local/international counsel for filings, oppositions, cancellations, restorations, and litigation.
• Lead IP enforcement activities, including actions against infringers, counterfeiters, and unauthorized use of brand assets.
• Support IP-related aspects of mergers, acquisitions, business transfers, and assignments.

3. Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Handle a broad range of civil, criminal, arbitration, and commercial disputes including recovery suits, breach of contract cheque dishonour, fraud, and property matters.
• Draft legal notices, responses, applications, and coordinate case strategies with external advocates and senior counsel.
• Lead initiatives for dispute resolution, settlement strategies, and pre-litigation advisory.
• Manage international litigation matters where applicable.

4. Corporate Legal Advisory

• Provide legal counsel to management, business heads, and functional teams across commercial, finance, production, regulatory, and CSR domains.
• Support business transactions such as cross-border mergers, acquisitions, business transfers, and due diligence.
• Ensure all business decisions and initiatives align with statutory requirements and risk mitigation strategies.

5. Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Guide internal teams on statutory, regulatory, and corporate compliance requirements.
• Conduct periodic compliance reviews and factory/site visits to identify gaps and recommend corrective measures.
• Implement compliance frameworks to reduce costs, prevent violations, and minimize litigation exposure.
• Maintain updated knowledge of relevant laws, rules, and regulatory changes impacting business operations.

6. Stakeholder & Team Coordination

• Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure legal issues are addressed promptly and effectively.
• Liaise with external counsel, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders for smooth management of legal matters.
• Provide legal training, awareness sessions, and process improvements to enhance organizational compliance culture.

Preferred candidate profile

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Law (LL.B / LL.M) from a recognized university.
• 8–12+ years of experience in corporate legal roles, preferably within pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, or FMCG sectors.
• Strong expertise in contract drafting, IP management, and dispute resolution.
• Experience handling cross-border legal matters and working with international counsel is an advantage.