Deputy Manager - Legal (Litigation, Compliance & Real Estate)

The resource will serve as the primary point of contact for litigation, compliance, real estate and related legal matters of the Company in the South region. The role entails coordination with the regional business team, external counsel, stakeholders, law enforcement and statutory authorities to effectively mitigating risk and management of legal proceedings, real estate matters, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliances.

About the Role

The resource will serve as the primary point of contact for litigation, compliance, real estate and related legal matters of the Company in the region (West & South).

Responsibilities

Litigation Management

• Act as the regional lead for all litigation matters involving the Company Civil, Criminal, Labour, Arbitration, Property Disputes
• Liaise with external lawyers and attorneys to provide necessary documentation, facts, and inputs for ongoing suits, complaints, and proceedings
• Assist in the preparation and vetting of legal drafts, petitions, and complaints, including coordination with law enforcement agencies for filing of complaint and assist investigation as required
• Follow up with external counsel for regular case updates and maintain a comprehensive case tracker
• Represent the company before court proceedings and adduce evidence
• Attend meetings, hearings, and conferences as and when required
• Provide strategic advice to minimize potential legal exposures
• Demonstrate hands-on experience in recovery matters and proactive management of disputes

Regulatory Compliance & Advisory

• Handle and ensure compliance under the Food Safety and Standards Act, Pollution Control Law, Labour Laws and laws related to retail operations & factories
• Ensure regional compliance with Central & State Specific regulations
• Conduct legal research and remain updated on the latest developments in applicable laws, regulations, and judicial pronouncements
• Develop, implement, and maintain compliance policies, procedures, and controls.
• Prepare and submit compliance dashboards and presentations for senior management.
• Provide periodic training to business teams and circulate periodic updates and advisories to relevant business functions
• Conduct compliance audits and risk assessments
• Investigate and resolve compliance violations and recommend corrective actions
• Collaborate with internal departments to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Implement internal policies and ensure adherence

Real Estate

• Drafting, vetting, preparation and finalization of Lease/Leave and License and other documentation relating thereto.
• Due Diligence of properties for restaurant opening feasibility, stamp duty calculation and registration.
• Negotiations with the landlord/advocates to finalize the agreement in the best interest of the company.
• Coordinate with local authorities, revenue offices, counsels and landowners

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with regional leadership to support business growth.
• Provide training to internal teams on legal awareness.
• Act as a bridge between corporate legal and regional operations.
• Assist in preparing presentations, legal briefs, and reports for management review and external representation.
• Liaise with regional law firms/Advocates

Other Requirements

• Proficiency in MS Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to use MS Office tools to analyze data, prepare reports, and create highquality business presentations.
• Excellent command over written and verbal communication with strong drafting skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong interpersonal and coordination skills for effective cross-functional collaboration.