Lead Counsel

Job Id: R0000425352

About us:
As a Fortune 50 company with more than 400,000 team members worldwide, Target is an iconic brand and one of America's leading retailers.

Joining Target means promoting a culture of mutual care and respect and striving to make the most meaningful and positive impact. Becoming a Target team member means joining a community that values different voices and lifts each other up. Here, we believe your unique perspective is important, and you'll build relationships by being authentic and respectful.

Overview about TII
At Target, we have a timeless purpose and a proven strategy. And that hasn’t happened by accident. Some of the best minds from different backgrounds come together at Target to redefine retail in an inclusive learning environment that values people and delivers world-class outcomes. That winning formula is especially apparent in Bengaluru, where Target in India operates as a fully integrated part of Target’s global team and has more than 4,000 team members supporting the company’s global strategy and operations.

Legal Affairs Pyramid Overview:

To match the signature style and passion of Target’s distinctive retail brand, Target Legal Affairs is a dynamic and deeply knowledgeable team of experts. Whether specializing in law, government affairs, employee relations, risk, compliance, ethics, security or food safety, we use our expertise and influence to advocate for Target, support Target’s business and mitigate risk for the company. We work with both internal and external entities on key issues that affect Target’s ability to productively, ethically and securely conduct business. Through our understanding of Target’s business models and operations, we help facilitate Target’s growth, and provide guidance that leaders rely on to make appropriate, well-informed decisions. Simultaneously, we help protect the business by applying our comprehensive understanding of risk and the law on issues that impact our brand, guests, team members, stores, supply chain facilities, and corporate locations.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Contracting and Property Management:

• Lead end-to-end legal support for leasing, licensing, acquisition, and management of commercial properties across India and Asia markets.
• Draft, review, and negotiate lease deeds, leave & license agreements, amendments, renewals, and related property documentation.
• Support due diligence on property titles and advise on structuring transactions to mitigate legal and commercial risks.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements including MSAs, MOU, CSR Agreements, vendor/supplier contracts, NDAs, sourcing agreements, and partnership agreements.
• Partner closely with Procurement teams on vendor contracting, commercial negotiations, and sourcing strategies.
• Develop and standardize contract templates, playbooks, and processes to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Ensure all contracts and property-related transactions comply with company policies, risk thresholds, and applicable laws across jurisdictions.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, including IT regulations, data protection/privacy laws, POSH, Labour Laws, Cyber Law, etc.
• Monitor regulatory developments and provide proactive legal advice to business teams
• Support implementation of compliance frameworks, policies, and training programs .

Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks arising from commercial transactions, vendor engagements, and property-related matters.
• Provide practical, business-oriented legal solutions that balance risk with commercial objectives.
• Support enterprise risk management initiatives and conduct legal awareness sessions for stakeholders

Dispute Resolution & Litigation Support

• Manage pre-litigation and litigation matters including commercial disputes, real estate issues, IP matters, POSH-related issues, and contractual disputes
• Draft legal notices and develop strategies for resolving disputes proactively.
• Collaborate with external counsel and drive effective dispute resolution strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with real estate, procurement, finance and tech teams to provide timely legal guidance.
• Collaborate with global legal teams on cross-border transactions and regulatory matters.
• Act as a trusted advisor to business stakeholders, enabling informed and compliant decision-making.

Requirements

• Law degree from a tier one law school in India;
• 8-10 years of experience working in a law firm or in-house with strong exposure to real estate transactions, commercial contracting, and regulatory compliance
• Demonstrated experience in implementation of laws and regulatory frameworks, including policy rollout and operationalization within organizations
• Experience working on cross-border matters, particularly in Asia markets.
• Strong understanding of risk management and dispute resolution frameworks.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, matrixed, and global environment.
• Experience handling POSH-related matters, including advisory, investigations, and compliance.

Useful Links-

Life at Target- https://india.target.com/

Benefits- https://india.target.com/life-at-target/workplace/benefits

Culture- https://india.target.com/life-at-target/belonging