Role Summary
The National Collections Manager - Legal will lead the legal recovery strategy and execution for all retail asset loan products (secured and unsecured) across India. This role involves managing litigation, recovery through legal channels (SARFAESI, DRT, Lok Adalat, Civil/Criminal suits), portfolio resolution, legal vendor network, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders to maximize recovery efficiency in NPAs and write-offs.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Legal Recovery Planning:
- Develop and implement pan-India legal recovery strategies for delinquent and written-off retail loan portfolios.
- Define SOPs and policies for legal recovery across various retail products (Home Loan, LAP, PL, Auto, TW, etc.).
- Monitor legal recovery KPIs (resolution rate, legal cost vs. recovery, turnaround time, etc.).
Litigation & Recovery Management
- Lead SARFAESI action, DRT, Civil/Criminal litigation, Arbitration and Lok Adalat proceedings.
- Drive repossession, auction, and realization of assets in secured portfolios.
- Ensure timely filing, follow-up, and closure of legal cases with high recovery potential.
Vendor & Law Firm Management
- Empanel and manage a national network of legal counsel, enforcement agents, and recovery agencies.
- Conduct performance reviews and audits of legal vendors to ensure compliance and cost-effectiveness.
Regulatory & Compliance
- Ensure adherence to RBI, NHB, IBC, and other applicable legal and regulatory frameworks.
- Prepare and manage MIS/reporting for internal audit, board reviews, and regulatory inspections.
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Coordination
- Lead and mentor zonal/cluster-level legal teams.
- Collaborate closely with risk, collections, credit, compliance, operations, and external legal bodies.
Portfolio Analytics & Insights
- Analyze default patterns and legal recovery effectiveness.
- Provide insights for portfolio risk mitigation and write-off recovery maximization.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Education: LLB/LLM from a reputed university. Additional certifications in Banking Laws/IBC/SARFAESI are preferred.
- Experience: 15+ years of experience in legal recoveries in BFSI/NBFCs/Banks, with minimum 5 years in a national or zonal leadership role.
- Domain Knowledge:
- SARFAESI, DRT, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC)
- Recovery proceedings under NI Act (Sec 138), Arbitration, Civil & Criminal remedies
- RBI & NHB guidelines on retail loan recovery
- Knowledge of secured and unsecured retail asset products
Key Skills
- Strong litigation and negotiation skills
- Strategic mindset with execution focus
- Strong team and vendor management
- High integrity and stakeholder management
- Tech-savvy with experience in recovery/legal tools & dashboards
Preferred Industry Background
- Banks, NBFCs, Housing Finance Companies, Digital Lenders with a strong retail lending presence.
