Associate Director - Legal (M&A )

Job Description

Flipkart's Legal, M&A and Corporate Strategy practice group is responsible for all mergers & acquisitions, corporate restructuring, venture capital activity, partnership structuring, fund raises, Group ESOP advisories, strategic business initiatives, being subject-matter experts on various aspects of regulations impacting our industry as well as supporting our Compliance function on specific regulatory matters. We are looking for a seasoned legal professional who will act as a strategic partner to the corporate development team, business leaders, the broader legal function, corporate functions and outside counsel to lead M&A transactions and provide managerial guidance on the other areas included within the practice group.

We are looking for someone who will lead complex domestic and cross-border transactions, manage strategic investments, and oversee corporate governance and advisory matters that shape the future of the Flipkart ecosystem. This individual needs to have a high degree of judgment and the ability to see the big picture. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter and be able to effectively interact with a fair but demanding client base.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Transaction Management: Lead the end-to-end legal lifecycle for M&A, joint ventures, and strategic investments. This includes structuring deals, conducting/managing due diligence, and drafting/negotiating definitive agreements (SHA, SSA, SPA, BTA, Commercial / Strategic Agreements).

Fundraising & Capital Markets: Support the leadership team in capital raising initiatives, managing relationships with external investors, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements during funding rounds.

ESOP & Employee Incentives: Provide expert advisory on ESOP structuring, grant cycles, liquidations, and the legal implications of employee incentive schemes across various jurisdictions.

General Corporate Advisory: Act as a subject matter expert on the Companies Act, FEMA (FDI/ODI guidelines), SEBI regulations, and other general corporate laws.

Strategic Advisory: Partner with business stakeholders to provide commercially-viable legal solutions for new business initiatives and restructuring exercises.

External Counsel Management: Strategically select and manage top-tier domestic and international law firms to ensure high-quality, cost-effective legal support.

Qualifications & Skills:

Must-Haves:

• Experience: A minimum of 8 years of post-qualification experience (PQE).
• Law-Firm Experience: At least 5 years of experience working within the M&A/Corporate practice of a leading Tier-1 law firm.
• Education: LL.B. from a reputed national or international law school. LLM or Company Secretary will be considered a benefit, but not compulsory
• Subject Matter Expertise: Deep technical knowledge of Indian corporate law, FEMA, cross-border M&A frameworks, and investment regulations.

Preferred Attributes:

• Tech/E-commerce Exposure: Prior experience in the technology, retail, or e-commerce sectors is a significant plus.
• Negotiation Skills: Ability to navigate complex, multi-party negotiations with a solution-oriented mindset.
• Communication (oral and written): Exceptional oratory and drafting skills and the ability to simplify complex legal risks for non-legal business leaders.
• Leadership: Proven track record of mentoring junior counsel and managing cross-functional projects.
• Culture: Demonstrated commitment and contribution to fostering and advancing equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Inter-personal skills & Teamwork: Ability to work harmoniously and effectively within the team, as well as with multiple cross-functional teams.
• Integrity: High professional integrity and ethical standards, with a strong commitment to legal ethics exhibited in knowledge and practice, and professional responsibility.

Why Flipkart

You will be at the forefront of India's digital revolution. This role offers the unique opportunity to work on some of the largest and most complex transactions, as well as getting to know the Indian startup ecosystem from inside out, providing a platform for immense professional growth and impact.

Note: This role requires a candidate who thrives in a fast-paced environment and possesses the founder's mindset to take end-to-end ownership of legal workstreams.