Job Title: Senior Legal Counsel
Reporting To: Deputy Chief Legal
Location: Mumbai, India
Experience: Minimum 12+ Years Post-Qualification
Qualification: LL.B. (preferably 5-year integrated course)
About NPCI
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is at the core of India’s digital payment infrastructure. As the umbrella organization for retail payments and settlement systems, NPCI drives innovations in digital transactions and financial inclusion. We are looking for a seasoned Senior Legal Counsel to support the growing legal and compliance needs of our business and innovation-oriented environment.
Job Purpose
This senior legal role is responsible for overseeing and managing legal matters for the NPCI Group, ensuring business compliance, mitigating legal risks, and providing strategic legal counsel to leadership and internal stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
1. Legal Advisory & Transaction Support
- Advise product, compliance, and business units on legal and regulatory matters.
- Structure transactions and commercial arrangements from a legal and risk-mitigation perspective.
- Guide on new business models, services, and regulatory implications in payment and fintech domains.
- Interpret governing laws and dispute resolution frameworks for both domestic and international agreements.
2. Contract Management & Documentation
- Draft, review, and negotiate complex, high-value contracts with domestic and foreign entities.
- Standardize product, technology, and services agreements.
- Implement and manage a robust legal documentation management system.
- Utilize AI tools for contract drafting, compliance tracking, and legal research.
3. Litigation & IP Management
- Oversee corporate and consumer litigation including pleadings, counter-affidavits, and legal submissions.
- Liaise with external counsel for case strategy, documentation, and opinions.
- Manage the intellectual property portfolio (trademarks, copyrights, and patents).
4. Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with Indian and international regulations, including Data Protection, AML, FATF, and payment laws.
- Review and support policy formulation, audits, and regulatory readiness.
- Develop strategies for proactive compliance risk management and maintain employee awareness of legal changes.
5. Stakeholder & Board Engagement
- Prepare board and committee papers related to legal matters.
- Represent legal functions in board meetings and working groups.
- Collaborate with cross-functional and leadership teams for legal input on strategic initiatives.
6. Team Leadership & Process Improvement
- Mentor and guide junior legal team members.
- Lead initiatives on documentation efficiency, litigation systems, and legal-tech integration.
Required Skills & Competencies
- Proven legal drafting and negotiation expertise.
- Strong knowledge of Indian laws and international financial regulations.
- Familiarity with payment industry compliance standards (e.g., PCI-DSS, MC/Visa).
- Excellent communication, legal research, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to operate independently and lead high-stakes legal discussions.
1. What type of legal experience is NPCI looking for in this role?
We seek candidates with 12+ years of post-qualification experience handling high-risk legal matters, including contract law, litigation management, regulatory compliance, and advisory roles in financial services or technology sectors.
2. Does the role involve international exposure?
Yes, the role involves drafting and negotiating agreements with international partners and ensuring compliance with global legal frameworks such as GDPR, FATF, and sanctions laws.
3. How does NPCI use technology in its legal function?
NPCI actively integrates AI tools for contract drafting, compliance automation, legal document management, and research efficiency, ensuring legal processes are tech-enabled and scalable.