LGL-Legal Counsel

Nomura Overview:

Nomura is an Asia-headquartered financial services group with an integrated global network spanning over 30 countries. By connecting markets East & West, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its four business divisions: Retail, Asset Management, Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking), and Merchant Banking. Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership. For further information about Nomura, visit .

Nomura Services India, (Powai) supports Nomura’s businesses around the world. Powai’s world class capabilities in trading support, research, information technology, financial control, operations, risk management and legal support have played a key role in facilitating Nomura’s global operations and are an integral part of Nomura’s global expansion plans. The Powai operation is a critical part of the platform to support the growth of Nomura’s global business.

Divisional Overview:

Powai Legal & Compliance (“L&C”) broadly covers the areas of Legal & Compliance and is responsible for building a robust risk and control framework. The Powai L&C teams support Nomura Powai entities, as well as L&C teams globally to ensure effective risk management of Legal & Compliance related risks for the firm. Powai Legal comprises of the Corporate Legal and Transaction Legal functions, which provide advice and support on corporate, employment and transactional matters. The Offshore Legal team supports global teams on corporate and secretarial matters, Global Markets, and Masters documentation related requirements. Powai Compliance comprises of functions such as Core Compliance, Trade Surveillance, Electronic Communication Surveillance, Financial Crime Monitoring, Control Room & Disclosure Monitoring and Employee Compliance. The teams provide advisory and operations support to global / regional Compliance teams driven by global / regional policies and regulatory expectations.

Business Unit Overview:

The legal department provides support both to the India businesses and globally as well. The support areas include, but are not limited to IT, HR, ESS and Facilities, litigation, Real Estate, Employment Law, Corporate Secretarial, bond issuances, syndicated lending mandates, margin financing transactions, M&A advisory mandate, other Industry agreements and also drafts and negotiates prime brokerage and various commercial agreements.

Position Specifications

Corporate Title

Executive Director

Experience

18+ years with minimum 5 years or above in senior legal leadership roles

Qualification

LLB/LLM from India/US/UK/EU jurisdiction

Role & Responsibilities -

1. Role Overview: We are seeking an Executive Director to join our Legal Global Masters Documentation Team, leading complex derivatives master agreement negotiations and providing senior legal counsel across multiple jurisdictions including India, Asia, Japan, EMEA and Americas. This senior role requires a seasoned master agreement and derivatives lawyer with deep technical expertise who can independently manage sophisticated global derivatives documentation while working collaboratively with regional legal teams and senior business stakeholders worldwide.

1. Key Responsibilities:

1. 1. Contract negotiation and advisory
      • Lead and independently manage complex negotiation of derivatives documentation ISDA/CSA/CTA (variation margin/initial margin documentation), repurchase and securities lending agreements (GMRA, MRA, GMSLA, MSLA, MSFTA etc.), prime brokerage agreement, clearing documentation, futures & options agreements with respect to various counterparty types such as hedge funds, banks, broker dealers, HNIs, mutual funds, pension funds, insurance and re-insurance providers, etc.
      • Draft, review, and negotiate multi-jurisdictional derivatives contracts and related documents across India, Asia, Japan, EMEA and Americas covering multiple asset classes (rates, credit, equity, FX, commodities)
      • Identify and highlight risks to various stakeholders for approvals across corporate divisions and locations
      • Support multiple business units, including traders, structurers, sales teams, and risk management, etc., on complex derivatives legal matters
      • Address bespoke regulatory or master agreement related projects as needed.
      • Help maintain the various master agreement templates.
      • Coordinate with local counsel on derivatives regulatory compliance matters across multiple jurisdictions including Dodd-Frank, EMIR, MiFID II, CFTC/SEC rules, FINRA 4210, Qualified Financial Contracts and IBOR remediation and ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.
      • Partner with regional lawyers and business partners across EMEA, Americas, Japan, and Asia
      • Lead major derivatives regulatory implementation and other initiatives like digital innovation, globalization, etc.
      • Serve as a trusted advisor to senior management, derivatives trading heads, and risk committees on derivatives legal matters Build and maintain relationships with external counsel, regulators, industry bodies, and ISDA working groups
   2. Team leadership and development
      • Lead and mentor a team of derivatives legal professionals and provide training and guidance to team members on complex matters
      • Drive knowledge sharing and best practices
      • Contribute to talent development and succession planning initiatives
      • Foster collaborative culture within derivatives legal function
      • Provide management reports and strategic oversight, and manage escalations

Qualification:

Required Qualifications

• LLB/LLM or equivalent legal qualification in relevant jurisdiction
• 18+ years, with at least 10 years of experience in derivatives contracts across multiple asset classes and minimum 5 years or above in senior legal leadership roles.
• Proven track record of leading complex master agreements negotiations and derivatives transactions
• Deep expertise in derivatives documentation including ISDA, GMRA, prime brokerage agreements, etc.
• Experience in driving transformation and innovation initiatives

Required Skills

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Outstanding drafting and negotiating skills specific to derivatives documentation, and experience working with ISDA definitions (FX, commodity, equity) and other industry documentation
• Understanding of derivatives mechanics including netting, close-out, and margin requirements
• Ability to understand derivatives legal and business risk and provide business-aligned legal counsel and forward-thinking solutions
• Embracing diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• Confidence and credibility when engaging with senior stakeholders
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to operate across diverse markets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to explain complex derivatives concepts
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Strong project management and time management skills for multiple concurrent negotiations
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Self-starter with sense of ownership
• Critical thinking and conflict management abilities in high-pressure environments
• Knowledge and understanding of various Indian laws and international derivatives regulations
• Resourcefulness, solution-oriented approach and excellent team leadership capabilities

We are committed to providing equal opportunities throughout employment including in the recruitment, training and development of employees. We prohibit discrimination in the workplace whether on grounds of gender, marital or domestic partnership status, pregnancy, carer’s responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, national or ethnic origins, religious belief, disability or age.

*Applying for this role does not amount to a job offer or create an obligation on Nomura to provide a job offer. The expression "Nomura" refers to Nomura Services India Private Limited together with its affiliates.

*The benefits are subject to change and will be in accordance with Company’s policies as may be applicable from time to time).