Employment Counsel

Serve as the lead legal advisor for complex and high‑risk employment matters across India and APMEA, including sensitive investigations, restructurings, workforce transitions, and executive separations, providing clear, strategic recommendations to HR and senior leadership. Set the regional employment law strategy: monitor and interpret legislative and regulatory developments (including India’s new labour codes and key APMEA changes), assess business impact, and drive structured implementation plans for policy, process, and system changes. Oversee the design, governance, and continuous improvement of employment documents and frameworks (employment agreements, playbooks, investigation protocols, templates, SOPs) to ensure consistency and compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Provide second‑line escalation and supervision on personnel‑related investigations and disputes, including POSH, whistleblower, retaliation, and other conduct matters; guide Internal Committees and HRBPs on investigation strategy, documentation, and remediation. Act as the employment law and culture champion: partner with HR leadership to shape people programs (performance, ER, engagement, restructurings), ensuring practices are aligned with Freshworks’ values, risk appetite, and global standards. Lead or co‑lead cross‑functional initiatives on employment compliance, workplace conduct, and data privacy, collaborating with Security, Privacy, and Compliance teams on risk assessments, audits, and controls. Manage external counsel relationships on significant or multi‑jurisdictional matters, including scoping, oversight of work product, and budget management, while building internal capability to reduce dependency over time. Coach and mentor professionals supporting employment work, helping prioritise matters, reviewing outputs where needed, and developing best‑practice guidance and knowledge resources for the broader Legal and HR teams.    Key Responsibilities – Corporate Act as a key governance advisor to the Board of Directors and senior leadership, overseeing and monitoring Board activities to ensure robust compliance with the Companies Act and all applicable corporate governance and securities requirements. Own the legal and governance framework for Board, committee, and shareholder meetings, ensuring timely convening and lawful conduct of the AGM and other statutory meetings in line with prescribed timelines, secretarial standards, and regulatory expectations. Oversee accurate and timely filing of all statutory returns and regulatory submissions (including to the MCA and other applicable regulators), establishing controls and calendars to rigorously monitor deadlines and mitigate compliance and enforcement risks. Lead the end‑to‑end governance process for Board and committee meetings, including annual calendars, notice and agenda setting, review of papers, drafting of resolutions, finalisation of minutes, and secure maintenance of records, while facilitating access for internal and statutory auditors or regulators as required. Partner with executive leadership, finance, and company secretarial functions to continuously strengthen corporate governance practices, board reporting, and subsidiary governance, ensuring alignment with global best practices for high‑growth, tech/SaaS companies. Law degree (LL.B.) from a recognised university; LL.M., company secretary, or additional governance qualification preferred. Approximately 12–16 years of post‑qualification experience, with substantial time spent on employment law and corporate governance in a top law firm and/or in‑house at multinational or listed companies, ideally in tech or SaaS. Deep, hands‑on expertise in Indian company, employment and labour laws, combined with meaningful experience advising on or coordinating multiple employment matters across APMEA jurisdictions. Proven track record handling high‑stakes mat ... (truncated, view full listing at source)