Manager – Compliance & Legal at Unifi Capital Pvt Ltd

Legal and compliance professionals aspiring to build a serious career in India's financial markets have a rare opening. Unifi Capital Pvt Ltd., a specialised Portfolio Management company based in Chennai, is looking for a Manager – Compliance & Legal to handle SEBI intermediary compliance, secretarial functions, and legal support. This is not a run-of-the-mill compliance role. It sits at the crossroads of investment management, corporate law, and regulatory policy, making it one of the most strategically significant job openings for Company Secretaries with 4–6 years of relevant experience.

Why This Compliance Role Deserves Your Attention

For any legal professional focused on securities law, the chance to work with an investment management firm is a career-defining step. Unifi Capital has been in the market since 2001, offering portfolio management services (PMS) and investment strategies that promise superior risk-adjusted returns. The firm's continued growth means its compliance function is not merely a support unit but a critical pillar of its operations. The role being advertised goes beyond traditional company secretarial work; it requires a professional who can independently manage SEBI-related obligations across multiple business verticals, including PMS, Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), Stock Broking, and Depository Participant (DP) operations.

The job posting explicitly states that a qualified Company Secretary is mandatory. This requirement underscores a growing trend in Indian financial services: regulators now expect compliance leaders to have formal corporate governance training, not just a law degree. For those with both CS and LLB qualifications, this role is a golden ticket into the upper echelons of investment compliance.

“We are looking for a qualified Company Secretary (mandatory) to join our organization as Manager – Compliance & Legal.”

The position is based in Chennai and is strictly on-site. This should be considered a positive. Being physically present in the firm's headquarters allows a compliance manager to build strong relationships with trading, operations, risk, and senior management teams. In a regulated environment, those interpersonal connections often determine how effectively compliance policies are implemented across the business.

Dissecting the Core Mandate: SEBI Intermediary Compliance

The primary responsibility is to ensure end-to-end regulatory compliance for SEBI-registered intermediaries. This is a complex and ever-evolving domain. A compliance manager in this role must stay current with the PMS Regulations, AIF Regulations, SEBI (Stock Brokers) Regulations, and the Depositories Act, along with a steady stream of circulars, notifications, and amendments. The role involves periodic filings, reporting, and disclosures to SEBI, stock exchanges, and depositories. It also requires direct liaison with regulators on inspections, inquiries, and day-to-day compliance matters.

Key responsibilities listed in the job description give a clear picture of what the role entails:

• Monitoring and implementing changes arising from SEBI circulars, notifications, and amendments across all applicable business lines.
• Drafting, reviewing, and updating internal compliance manuals, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and policies.
• Coordinating compliance audits, inspections, and internal reviews for intermediary operations.
• Handling investor grievance redressal and SCORES-related compliance where applicable.
• Working closely with business, risk, and operations teams to embed compliance requirements into day-to-day functioning.
• Preparing and presenting compliance reports and dashboards to senior management and the board.

This is not a purely desk-bound job. The successful candidate will have to proactively work with business teams to ensure that every new product initiative or operational change is compliant by design. That requires commercial awareness, communication skills, and the ability to simplify complex regulatory language for non-legal colleagues.

Beyond SEBI: Secretarial and Legal Functions at the Group Level

In addition to SEBI compliance, the Manager will handle the full spectrum of secretarial functions at the group level. This includes organising Board Meetings, Committee Meetings, and General Meetings, drafting notices, agenda, resolutions, and minutes, and maintaining statutory registers and records under the Companies Act. The role also involves coordinating with ROC, MCA, and RBI on secretarial matters and supporting corporate restructuring activities.

On the legal side, the professional will draft, vet, and review contracts, agreements, and other regulatory documents. They will provide legal risk inputs relevant to intermediary operations and coordinate with external legal counsel as needed. This combination of SEBI compliance, corporate secretarial work, and contract management makes the role ideal for someone who enjoys variety and wants to become a holistic governance professional.

What Makes You the Ideal Candidate?

The eligibility criteria are straightforward but rigorous. A qualified Company Secretary (ACS/FCS) from ICSI is non-negotiable. The firm expects 4–6 years of relevant experience, with substantial exposure to SEBI or regulatory compliance. Strong drafting and communication skills are essential, as is attention to detail and the ability to manage regulatory timelines independently.

An LLB degree is not mandatory but is clearly preferred. In practice, candidates with both CS and LLB have a distinct advantage because they can seamlessly bridge corporate governance and substantive legal work. Similarly, familiarity with SEBI portals, stock exchange systems, depository functions, and compliance management software will set you apart from other applicants.

How to Prepare Your Application

If you meet the eligibility criteria, your application strategy should be deliberate. Here are a few tips:

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience with SEBI intermediaries, especially PMS, AIF, or broking. Emphasise specific filings, inspections, or regulatory liaison activities you have handled.
• Quantify achievements: Mention how you improved compliance turnaround times, reduced regulatory observations, or successfully managed multiple concurrent audits.
• Showcase drafting skills: Include samples or summaries of compliance manuals, policies, or board resolutions you have drafted.
• Network strategically: Reach out to current or former Unifi Capital employees on LinkedIn for informational interviews. Referrals increase your chances of getting interviewed.

Candidates should also prepare for technical interviews. Expect questions on recent SEBI amendments, the structure of PMS and AIF regulations, the role of a compliance officer under various SEBI frameworks, and key corporate governance provisions under the Companies Act 2013. Being able to discuss practical scenarios, such as handling an investor complaint or coordinating a SEBI inspection, will make you memorable.

Career Trajectory and Compensation

The job description states compensation is “best in the industry, commensurate with the candidate’s experience and expertise.” While no specific number is provided, roles at this level in investment management firms in Chennai typically offer competitive pay scales, bonuses, and professional development opportunities.

More importantly, the career trajectory is outstanding. A Manager – Compliance & Legal at a PMS/AIF firm is a natural stepping stone to senior compliance roles in asset management companies, banks, or even regulatory bodies. The experience of liaising directly with SEBI, stock exchanges, and depositories is invaluable. Professionals who perform well in this role often move on to become Chief Compliance Officers, Heads of Legal, or regulatory affairs directors within a few years.

The learning curve will be steep, but the reward is a profound understanding of how India’s capital markets work. You will not just be reading regulations; you will be interpreting them in real time, designing controls that protect investor interests, and advising business decisions that shape the firm’s future.

This is more than a compliance job. It is a front-row seat to the functioning of India's investment management ecosystem.

How to Apply

The application link is hosted on LinkedIn. Interested professionals should apply through the official job posting on the Unifi Capital LinkedIn page. There is no fixed application deadline mentioned in the posting, so early application is strongly advised. Given that 42 candidates have already applied within two days of posting, the competition is real. A well-crafted application that aligns your experience with the specific requirements of this role will definitely stand out.

Final Thoughts

If you are a Company Secretary with a passion for securities law and a knack for both governance and legal risk management, this role offers a rare opportunity to work in a niche but growing segment of the Indian financial industry. It demands dedication and a thorough understanding of regulatory frameworks, but the professional growth it unlocks is unmatched. Before applying, review the SEBI regulations applicable to PMS and AIFs, brush up on your contract drafting skills, and be ready to demonstrate how you can add value from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is an LLB degree mandatory for this role?
No, an LLB is not mandatory. However, the job description mentions that a degree in Law (LLB) or relevant legal experience will be an added advantage. Candidates who are only CS-qualified but have strong SEBI compliance experience can also apply.

2. What is the application deadline?
The LinkedIn job posting does not specify a specific deadline. It is recommended to apply as soon as possible, as hiring may be on a rolling basis and 42 applications were already received within the first two days.

3. What does SCORES-related compliance mean?
SCORES is SEBI's online complaint redressal system for investors. The role includes handling investor grievance redressal and SCORES-related compliance where applicable, meaning you may be responsible for ensuring that investor complaints are resolved and reported to SEBI in a timely and compliant manner.

4. Is remote work allowed?
No. The job posting explicitly states that the work mode is on-site, and the location is Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Candidates should be prepared to work from the company’s Chennai office.