Legal Counsel / Contract Specialist

vConstruct, a Pune based Construction Technology company seeks a dynamic and detail-oriented Contracting & Legal professional with 3-4 years of corporate experience to join our finance team. The Legal Counsel for Contracts & Commercial will be responsible for the drafting, review, negotiation, and management of a wide variety of commercial agreements and for providing legal advice to the business on contractual risks and legal compliance. This role is essential in protecting the company's legal interests and ensuring all contracts align with organizational objectives and legal standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Contract Management and Negotiation

Draft, Review, and Negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts, including but not limited to:

• Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Vendor, Procurement, and Supply Chain Agreements.
• Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
• Leases and Real Estate-related contracts (if applicable).
• Partnership and collaboration agreements.
• IT and Licensing Agreements.
• Advise internal stakeholders (e.g., Sales, Procurement, Operations) on contract terms, risk exposure, liabilities, and potential business impact.
• Ensure all contracts are executed in compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Manage and maintain the contract lifecycle management (CLM) system and repository.

2. Legal Advisory and Risk Mitigation

• Provide timely, clear, and practical legal advice and guidance to all departments on day-to-day legal issues, contract interpretation, and corporate obligations.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks across the business, particularly those arising from commercial activities and contractual relationships.
• Assist in resolving contract-related disputes, breaches, and claims, coordinating with external counsel where necessary.

3. Regulatory Compliance

• Stay up-to-date with changes in commercial law, contract law, and relevant industry regulations.
• Ensure the company's contractual practices are compliant with all applicable laws (e.g., data privacy, anti-bribery, competition law).
• Develop, update, and implement internal legal policies, guidelines, and standard contract templates.

Qualifications and Experience

Required

• Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Valid license to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction (or eligibility for in-house counsel registration).
• Minimum 3-4 years of experience practicing commercial and contract law, with a significant portion in an in-house legal department or a relevant law firm.
• In-depth knowledge of commercial law, contract drafting, and negotiation principles.

Preferred

• Experience with a Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) software.
• Specific industry experience (e.g., Tech, Finance, Construction, Healthcare).

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional Drafting Skills: Ability to write clear, concise, and legally sound documents.
• Strong Negotiation Skills: Proven ability to negotiate effectively to protect the company's interests while achieving business objectives.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving: Excellent capability to analyze complex legal issues and provide practical, business-oriented solutions.
• Communication: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into understandable terms for non-legal stakeholders.
• Integrity and Professionalism: High ethical standards, discretion, and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Organization: Excellent attention to detail, organization, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.