Job Description: Vice President – Legal (Mergers & Acquisitions)
Company: The Phoenix Mills Ltd.
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Function: Legal
Reports To: Senior Vice President Legal
About the Role
The Vice President – Legal (M&A) will lead legal strategy and execution for mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic investments, private equity transactions, and key corporate initiatives. The role requires strong expertise in corporate law, transaction structuring, real estate investments, PE and M&A transactions, with the ability to partner with senior leadership and manage legal and commercial risks.
Key Responsibilities Mergers & Acquisitions
Lead end-to-end M&A, JV, strategic partnership, investment, acquisition, divestiture, merger, and restructuring transactions.
Structure transactions from a legal and regulatory perspective to optimize commercial outcomes and mitigate risks.
Draft, negotiate, and close key transaction documents including SPAs, SHAs, BTAs, JV agreements, asset purchase agreements, subscription agreements, escrow agreements, and related documentation.
Coordinate legal due diligence, identify risks, and recommend mitigation strategies.
Private Equity Investments, capital raises, and investment structures.
Support negotiations with investors, funds, financial institutions, and strategic partners.
Provide legal support for fundraising initiatives and investment transactions.
Provide legal guidance on domestic and cross-border transactions.
Manage regulatory approvals and interactions with government authorities.
Monitor evolving legal and regulatory developments impacting the business.
Real Estate Transactions
Support acquisitions and development of commercial, retail, mixed-use, hospitality, and residential assets.
Handle land acquisitions, development agreements, joint development arrangements, leasing, asset monetization, real estate investments, and title due diligence.
Work closely with business and development teams on project execution.
Review, negotiate, and finalize complex commercial agreements.
Develop standardized legal documentation and contract governance processes.
Ensure contracts adequately protect the company's commercial interests.
Risk Management
Identify legal risks across strategic transactions.
Recommend practical, commercially viable risk mitigation strategies.
Support corporate governance and compliance initiatives.
Stakeholder Management
Act as legal advisor to senior leadership on strategic transactions.
Lead negotiations with counterparties, investors, lenders, and external counsel.
Manage relationships with law firms, consultants, and regulatory authorities.
Collaborate closely with finance, business development, tax, compliance, and project teams.
Desired Candidate Profile Experience
13–18 years of post-qualification experience.
Significant experience in M&A, private equity, and corporate transactions.
Experience with a leading law firm and/or in-house legal leadership in real estate, infrastructure, retail, hospitality, or diversified corporate groups.
Demonstrated experience leading complex, high-value domestic and cross-border transactions.
Education
LL.B. / BA LL.B. from a reputed institution
LL.M. or international legal qualifications are an advantage.
Preferred exposure to real estate, retail, hospitality, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, financial services, infrastructure, or e-commerce.
Key Competencies
Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
Strong negotiation and influencing skills
Exceptional drafting and analytical abilities
Leadership and stakeholder management
Ability to manage multiple complex transactions simultaneously
Sound judgment and risk assessment
Effective communication and relationship management
Strong project management and execution capabilities
Success Measures
Successful execution of strategic M&A and investment transactions.
Effective management of legal and regulatory risks.
Timely closure of transactions.
High-quality legal advisory supporting business growth.
Strong governance and compliance framework.
Trusted legal partnership with senior leadership and business stakeholders.
Ideal for a senior legal professional with strong M&A, private equity, corporate law, and real estate experience who can lead strategic transactions and support long-term business growth.
