Head-Legal & Company Secretary (PSS08023) at Personnel Search Services Group

Why This Head of Legal & Company Secretary Role Stands Apart

For seasoned legal professionals who have spent decades at the intersection of litigation, compliance, and strategic corporate governance, the Head-Legal & Company Secretary (PSS08023) opening at Personnel Search Services Group is not just another job posting. It is a rare executive-level mandate that combines the traditional responsibilities of a company secretary with the broad-spectrum authority of a legal head in a high-volume manufacturing environment. Based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, this full-time position places the selected candidate at the heart of corporate decision-making, reporting directly to the Director and overseeing all legal and secretarial functions of an organisation operating in the electrical goods manufacturing sector.

This is not an entry-level or even mid-level role. The successful appointee will need a minimum of 20 years of experience as a Legal Head and Company Secretary in FMCG, FMCD, FMEG, or a large-scale electrical manufacturing organisation. The role is explicitly open to female candidates only, reflecting a growing trend among Indian corporates to build more inclusive leadership pipelines. For law graduates who have also qualified as Associate or Fellow Company Secretaries (ACS/FCS), this position offers an unmatched platform to influence boardroom decisions, shape compliance frameworks, and drive cultural change across operations.

What the Role Actually Demands: A Day in the Life

The job description paints a picture of an executive who is equal parts lawyer, governance expert, and risk strategist. One of the most striking responsibilities is initiating legal proceedings for recovery of dues and debts from defaulters—a function that requires both legal acumen and commercial pragmatism. The role also involves evaluating legal documents and coordinating with senior lawyers for representation before the Supreme Court, High Court, and other judicial or quasi-judicial bodies. This means the Head of Legal must not only manage in-house teams but also effectively direct external counsel on high-stakes litigation.

Beyond litigation, the position demands deep expertise in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) management, land and property matters, and compliance with a complex web of laws including the Companies Act, FEMA, and various industrial regulations. The corporate secretarial side includes conducting Board and General Meetings, maintaining statutory records, and handling issues related to securities. The role also requires implementing systems, processes, and controls for legal and secretarial functions, as well as establishing internal control processes across the organisation.

“Develop strategies to protect the company’s interests in all legal and business matters.” This single line from the job posting captures the essence of the role—it is not merely about reacting to legal issues, but proactively building a shield around the organisation’s commercial interests.

Leadership is a critical component. The Head will lead, develop, and optimise departmental resources, ensuring accountability and performance. Given the scale of manufacturing operations, the ability to lead cross-functional teams and interact with plant-level stakeholders is non-negotiable.

The Legal and Secretarial Arsenal You Must Possess

The eligibility criteria are deliberately stringent. Candidates must hold an LLB/LLM degree along with the Associate or Fellow Company Secretary (ACS/FCS) certification. This dual qualification is increasingly sought after because it signals the ability to straddle both legal practice and secretarial compliance. The experience requirement—20 years or more—means that this role is designed for professionals who have not just observed corporate governance from the sidelines, but have lived it through mergers, acquisitions, restructuring, and high-pressure regulatory audits.

Technical expertise should cover a broad spectrum:

• Contract Act and Sale of Goods Act for commercial agreements.
• Arbitration Act for dispute resolution and alternate mechanisms.
• Industrial Dispute Act, Factories Act, and Contract Labour Act for workforce and factory compliance.
• Companies Act and FEMA for corporate and cross-border regulatory matters.

Soft skills are equally emphasised: strategic decision-making, problem-solving, communication, customer orientation, and people management. In a manufacturing environment, legal advice must be practical and business-friendly, not just legally watertight.

How to Position Yourself for This Executive Search

Because Personnel Search Services Group is an executive search firm, the hiring process is likely to be highly curated. Simply uploading a CV may not be enough. To stand out, senior professionals should:

• Demonstrate measurable outcomes from prior roles—such as successful M&A integrations, reduction in litigation costs, or implementation of robust compliance systems.
• Highlight experience in the electrical goods, FMCG, FMCD, or FMEG sectors, as well as exposure to factory-level legal issues.
• Prepare to discuss specific case studies involving the Supreme Court or High Court appearances, debt recovery, and IPR disputes.
• Show leadership examples where you have built and mentored legal teams, and influenced board decision-making.

Given that the role is open only to female candidates, women leaders in corporate law should treat this as a strong signal of inclusive hiring. Networking with executive search consultants and maintaining an updated LinkedIn profile are critical first steps. A well-tailored résumé that maps each responsibility in the job description to concrete achievements will make a compelling case.

Why This Role Matters for Women Leaders in Corporate Law

The explicit preference for female candidates is significant. India has made notable progress in gender diversity at junior and mid-level legal roles, but senior leadership positions such as Head of Legal and Company Secretary have traditionally been male-dominated. This opening represents a deliberate effort to change that dynamic. For women lawyers with two decades of experience, this is an opportunity to step into a role that influences the entire governance architecture of a major manufacturing company.

From a career trajectory perspective, this role is a natural stepping stone to C-suite positions such as General Counsel or Chief Legal Officer. The combination of legal and company secretarial functions provides unmatched exposure to board-level processes, making the role a powerful launchpad for further advancement.

Important Details and How to Apply

The deadline is Not specified in the public job listing, and applications are being accepted through the original LinkedIn job posting. Interested candidates should review the full job description and apply via LinkedIn, ensuring they meet the strict eligibility criteria. No application fee has been mentioned. The job is based in Mumbai and is fully on-site, reflecting the hands-on nature of manufacturing legal work.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this role only for female lawyers?

Yes, the job posting explicitly states: “This position is open to female candidates only.” This is a diversity-driven hiring mandate designed to increase female representation in senior legal leadership.

2. What is the ideal experience profile for this position?

The ideal candidate must have an LLB/LLM and an ACS/FCS qualification, with at least 20 years of experience as a Legal Head and Company Secretary in FMCG, FMCD, FMEG, or large-scale electrical manufacturing companies. Exposure to litigation, debt recovery, IPR, and factory compliance is essential.

3. Does the role involve travel or factory visits?

While the job location is Mumbai, the role covers “corporate and factory operations,” so the candidate should expect visits to manufacturing sites and interaction with plant-level teams as part of compliance and risk management duties.

4. How can I apply for the Head-Legal & Company Secretary role?

Applications are being accepted through the original LinkedIn job posting. You must sign in to LinkedIn to apply. It is advisable to tailor your profile and résumé to highlight the specific requirements listed in the job description.