Head - Legal & Compliance

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 3,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A major automotive R&D center is seeking a Head of Legal & Compliance to serve as the chief legal advisor to the executive team. This role leads the legal function, ensuring compliance with Indian regulations while supporting innovative automotive projects. The ideal candidate should have significant experience in corporate law and a proven ability to navigate complex legal landscapes. The position emphasizes ethical leadership and strategic business partnership in a global context, promoting a strong culture of governance and compliance.

Qualifications

• 15–20 years of progressive experience in corporate legal roles.
• Experience in multinational corporations or automotive industry.
• Prior experience managing complex global legal matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Legal & Compliance function for MBRDI.
• Ensure compliance with Indian laws and regulations.
• Provide legal guidance on technology agreements.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Legal judgment

Influencing stakeholders

Commercial law expertise

Technology law expertise

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Master of Laws (LLM)

Job description

Mercedes‑Benz Research and Development India is the largest research and development center of the Mercedes‑Benz Group AG outside Germany. Since its establishment in 1996, MBRDI has been at the forefront of engineering innovation across mobility, software‑defined vehicles, and next‑generation automotive technologies.

The organization contributes across multiple domains including:

• Software‑defined vehicles and automotive platforms
• Autonomous driving and ADAS technologies
• Connected vehicle ecosystems and cloud platforms
• Digital engineering, data platforms, and AI solutions
• Body electronics, infotainment systems, and vehicle architecture

MBRDI partners closely with global Mercedes‑Benz engineering and product teams to deliver technology that powers the future of mobility.

Role Overview

The Head of Legal & Compliance will serve as the chief legal advisor to the Managing Director and executive leadership team, responsible for safeguarding the organization’s legal, regulatory, and governance framework.

This role will lead the legal function for one of the largest global engineering centers within the Mercedes‑Benz ecosystem, supporting strategic business initiatives, enabling innovation in automotive technologies, and ensuring the organization operates with the highest standards of compliance, ethics, and corporate governance.

The position will partner closely with global legal teams, engineering leadership, HR, finance, procurement, and corporate functions to manage legal risk while enabling business growth and technological innovation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Legal Leadership

• Lead the Legal & Compliance function for MBRDI and act as the principal legal advisor to senior leadership.
• Provide strategic legal guidance on business expansion, partnerships, and global engineering collaborations.
• Translate legal requirements into pragmatic business solutions that enable innovation while managing risk.

2. Corporate Governance & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with applicable Indian laws and regulations including corporate, labor, competition, and technology regulations.
• Drive strong corporate governance frameworks aligned with global Mercedes‑Benz Group standards.
• Lead internal compliance programs including ethics, anti‑corruption, and regulatory reporting.

3. Technology & Engineering Legal Advisory

• Provide legal guidance on complex engineering and technology agreements including:
• Software development and licensing
• Data platforms and digital services
• AI and emerging technologies
• Support cross‑border engineering collaboration with global Mercedes‑Benz entities.

4. Commercial Contracting & Negotiations

• Oversee drafting, negotiation, and execution of complex commercial agreements including:
• Technology development agreements
• Vendor and supplier contracts
• Strategic partnerships and joint innovation agreements
• Intellectual property licensing arrangements
• Establish strong contract governance and risk mitigation mechanisms.

5. Intellectual Property & Innovation Protection

• Advise engineering teams on protection of intellectual property generated within MBRDI.
• Manage patent, technology transfer, and IP licensing frameworks.
• Support strategic protection of proprietary automotive technologies.

6. Employment & Labor Law Advisory

• Partner with HR leadership on employment law matters including workforce policies, disciplinary actions, and workplace investigations.
• Ensure compliance with Indian labor regulations and evolving labor codes.
• Support leadership on complex employee relations matters and internal governance.
• Manage litigation, arbitration, and regulatory matters involving the organization.
• Work with external law firms and advisors on high‑impact legal cases.
• Develop proactive strategies to minimize legal exposure.
• Identify legal risks across engineering operations, commercial partnerships, and technology programs.
• Promote a strong culture of ethics and compliance across the organization.

9. Global Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate closely with global legal teams across the Mercedes‑Benz network.
• Support international projects involving cross‑jurisdictional legal frameworks.
• Represent MBRDI in global legal forums and governance councils.

The Head of Legal is expected to operate as a strategic business partner, balancing legal rigor with business agility.

Key leadership attributes

• Strategic thinking and sound legal judgment
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and business leaders
• Strong commercial and technology law expertise
• Ability to operate in a complex global matrix organization
• Commitment to ethical leadership and governance excellence

Qualifications - External

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a reputed university
• Master of Laws (LLM) preferred from a reputed university

Experience

• 15–20 years of progressive experience in corporate legal roles
• Experience in multinational corporations, technology companies, or automotive industry preferred
• Prior experience leading legal teams and managing complex global legal matters

Expertise

• Corporate and commercial law
• Technology and intellectual property law
• Regulatory compliance and corporate governance
• Employment and labor law
• Contract negotiations and risk management

Equal Opportunity Statement

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.