Legal Lead

About the Role

This position requires an experienced Contracts & Procurement Lawyer with extensive expertise in large Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPCC) companies. The candidate will manage high-value projects exceeding $100 million, primarily within the Oil & Gas sectors including Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream operations such as Petrochemicals and Fertilisers. The role demands deep knowledge of international contracts and procurement of capital goods and materials, with the ability to analyze and mitigate financial, commercial, operational, technical, contractual, and regulatory risks intrinsic to EPCC projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of contracts relating to EPCC projects, vendor agreements for materials and services, technology licensing, joint ventures, hydrocarbon purchase and sales, financing, service provider agreements, production sharing contracts, and agreements concerning charges, covenants, and forward sales.
• Develop and maintain governance, compliance, and risk management processes associated with contractual provisions.
• Support contract implementation procedures and negotiate effectively with customers, business partners, vendors, and regulatory authorities.
• Handle claims, change orders, extra claims, liquidated damages, and propose resolution mechanisms.
• Maintain professional relations with legal counsel, including briefing and communicating the company’s stance clearly.
• Provide trusted legal advice on business transactions, always aiming for commercial and legal prudence with a preference for avoiding litigation.
• Support litigation proceedings as needed, acting as a solicitor, and manage advocacy on behalf of the company.
• Stay informed of legislative and regulatory changes relevant to the industries managed.
• Communicate complex legal issues to business executives in accessible language integrating business and technical viewpoints.
• Engage in mediation and arbitration procedures when necessary, and liaise with regulatory authorities and public sector bodies.

Experience and Qualifications

• 6 to 9 years of proven experience as a Contracts & Procurement Lawyer within large EPCC companies, ideally in Oil & Gas sector industries.
• Comprehensive knowledge of applicable laws including statutory law, secondary legislation, and case law.
• Familiarity with the commercial and corporate laws of the UK or USA is advantageous.
• Experience working with top-tier international and reputable Indian law firms.

Educational Requirements

A full-time Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized Indian or international university is required. Postgraduate qualifications focusing on Oil & Gas, Commercial Law, or Contract Law are preferred but not mandatory. Membership in an Indian Bar council or equivalent is desirable.