Company Secretary - NBFC/Fintech Practice

The Senior Associate will be working with multiple NBFCs, Fintechs / Lending Service Providers (LSPs) and other financial services clients. As Senior Associate, you will be individually responsible primarily for RBI compliances and regulatory advisory, and be part of the team to manage overall client-level compliances, secretarial and legal aspects, including strategies, regulatory inspections, audits, business partnerships, etc. This is a dynamic, client-facing role and the individual must be willing to drive processes with complete ownership, manage multiple client assignments and adhere to all internal and statutory timelines.

Key responsibilities shall include (but not be limited to below aspects):

Compliance Framework & Risk Management

• Ensure strict observance of all statutory and regulatory requirements applicable to the clients, including NBFCs and Fintech / LSP entities, including standards of market conduct, managing conflict of interest, treating customers fairly and ensuring the suitability of customer services.

• Ensure that an appropriate Compliance policy is put in place and implemented rigorously for clients / across client organizations, as applicable.

• Carry out an annual Compliance risk assessment in order to identify and assess major Compliance risks faced by clients and prepare a plan to manage the risks.

Regulatory Monitoring & Implementation

• Continuously track and evaluate regulatory updates relevant to the clients and their respective businesses.

• Assess the impact of regulatory changes on clients' policies and business processes.

• Disseminate updates to clients / senior management and ensure timely implementation.

Compliance Advisory & Governance

• Ensure strict adherence to RBI and SEBI guidelines by clients, as applicable.

• Provide compliance advisory to client business teams on loan products and related matters from applicable laws.

• Present compliance updates, regulatory developments and impacts to client teams and train them periodically. Also suggest changes required in processes or develop new ones to mitigate risk and comply with guidelines.

Reporting & Communication

• Prepare and submit periodic returns to RBI and other regulators for clients, as applicable.

• Act as the single point of contact for clients on regulatory queries and clarifications.

• Coordinate with client group entities / divisions to share compliance updates and convert them into action-plan-based implementation.

• Ensure proper record keeping throughout to have a real-time updated client data room.

Testing & Review

• Develop and implement the annual compliance testing plan for clients.

• Report significant compliance lapses for presenting to client Boards, Committees and senior leadership.

• Conduct regular compliance reviews and test internal controls across client departments / functions.

Audit & Inspection Management

• Lead client RBI inspections, statutory and internal audits, and other regulatory reviews, including managing matters arising from lending partners' audits / inspections.

• Ensure client audit readiness, effective participation and timely closure of audit findings.

• Build comprehensive client data rooms for audits and inspections.

Legal

• Handle legal matters including contracts, compliance, litigation and regulatory affairs for clients.

• Develop and maintain client contract management tools / processes.

Technical & Functional Skills Must-Have:

• Working knowledge of RBI Regulations and rules thereunder for NBFC and LSP.

• Practical understanding of lending products such as PL, LAP, BNPL.

• Operational knowledge of SEBI regulations, including SEBI (LODR) and SEBI (ICDR).

• Basic understanding of FEMA and RBI regulations, particularly for NBFC & LSP entities with FDI.

• Familiarity with depository systems, RTA operations and share capital compliances.

• Strong drafting, communication and client / stakeholder coordination skills.

• Ability to manage multiple client assignments and timelines simultaneously.