Senior Legal Counsel | Conseiller(ère) juridique principal(e)

About us

We are an organization driven by purpose. We are dedicated to serving Canadians and strongly committed to protecting their hard-earned money when it matters most.​​​​​​​ We live our promises and commitments every day by serving Canadians as one, and we have their best interest at heart. We strive to build an inclusive, accepting culture with commitment, determination and a bias for action.

The right challenge is waiting for you! Discover how valuable your experience can be and join our team.

About the role

As a Senior Legal Counsel, you will provide legal advice to the Corporation on matters relating to the resolution of financial institutions and the insurance and risk assessment functions of the Corporation in the areas of legislative and regulatory policy and drafting, the legal content of all corporate communications and contract negotiations and disputes. The incumbent provides advice to all divisions of the Corporation and to senior levels of the Corporation.

Under the direction of the Director, Legal Services, the Senior Legal Counsel provides legal, policy and management advice to the Corporation on a broad range of issues as described below.

The Senior Legal Counsel prepares materials for the Board of Directors, Corporate Secretary and Senior Management; directs the work of administrative staff; interacts with other federal regulators, supervises the work of external counsel retained by the Corporation in their areas of responsibility, and responds to requests for legal information from third parties. This requires a comprehensive understanding of the legislation involved, and of the Corporation’s own policies and objectives.

This role can be performed from our Ottawa or Toronto offices, following a hybrid model approach. This is a full-time permanent opportunity. 

Core Responsabilities required for this role

The work of the Senior Legal Counsel has a significant impact on the key work of the Corporation, which is to provide deposit insurance, act as resolution authority and contribute to the stability of the financial system in Canada. Since the work involves the provision of advice and opinions, it has significant potential consequences for the Corporation.

The Senior Legal Counsel works with and at the direction of the Director, Legal Services, and provides legal advice, opinions, and support to all divisions of the Corporation, including:

• Legal advice on regulatory, legislative, and policy issues related to the federal financial system involving CDIC. This involves legal interpretation of relevant legislation, collaborating with other stakeholders, such as Canada’s financial safety net agencies and federal government departments, and legal writing and development of frameworks, policy, legislation, regulations, and by-laws that take into consideration potential risks relating to CDIC’s activities.
• Legal advice on the core functions of CDIC, including the resolution of financial institutions and the insurance and risk assessment functions. This involves, issues related to deposit insurance, policy and legislative matters, financing, and CDIC’s intervention powers and resolution options for member institutions. This includes independent legal writing and research, drafting of a variety of agreements, the provision of legal advice, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Support and advice in respect of any other activities of the Corporation requiring assistance from the Legal Services team, including application/administration of the Access to Information Act, the Privacy Act, regulatory compliance, policy matters, corporate communications, contracting, and other corporate, commercial or operational matters.
• Collaborates in meetings with internal and external stakeholders on a variety of projects and has regular contact with managers and executives throughout the Corporation along with other governmental and federal departments and agencies. The position requires an experienced lawyer who can work with a degree of autonomy. The work requires knowledge, skill, and mature judgment in both legal analysis, legal writing, and the provision of advice. The impact of the work is critical in terms of the issues and amounts of money involved. It involves the provision of services on a wide range of issues within tight time frames. Because the work involves a high degree of coordination with third parties, the position requires experience in administrative matters and excellent interpersonal skills. The work also requires a high degree of knowledge of the legislation and policies relating to financial institutions and to CDIC as the resolution authority and deposit insurer for those institutions.

About you

You take pride in the work that you do and are passionate about making a difference and an impact. You face challenges head-on, are an excellent communicator and collaborator, and act with integrity.

The work environment requires intense concentration and attention to detail for considerable periods of time. It also requires the ability to deal with a variety of non-routine and difficult demands.

• Attention to detail and mature judgment;
• Ability to work in stressful situations and within tight timeframes;
• Ability to work autonomously;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team;
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, including the ability to synthesize information and explain complex concepts;
• Excellent time management skills;
• Excellent critical thinking skills;
• Fluency in both French and English would be an asset;
• Project management/planning skills are an asset.

Skills you bring 

• Member in good standing of a provincial law society or bar;
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience of legal practice, working in corporate/commercial law and/or litigation (in private practice, as in-house counsel or in a legal role with a government entity);
• Experience in providing legal advice on regulatory compliance, application of laws, legislative interpretation, development of legislation/regulations/policies, or policy matters, is required;
• Experience in financing, transactions, restructuring, and/or resolution planning is required.
• Experience in legal research, analysis, risk assessment, and writing and in providing legal and strategic advice to corporate executives or Board members is preferred.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders, partners, government departments, agencies, or other parties is preferred;
• Familiarity with legislation and regulations related to the Canadian financial services industry, such as legislation affecting CDIC, regulators, and financial institutions is an asset;
• Experience in insolvency or securities is an asset;
• Experience in privacy law and drafting and negotiating contracts are an asset;
• Experience working with Crown corporations and federal government departments and agencies, particularly in the development of legislation or policies is an asset.

Must have

Language Requirements: English Essential 

Security Clearance: Eligibility to obtain a Secret-level security clearance

Sound like you?

If you are passionate about serving Canadians and see yourself as our future Senior Legal Counsel, please click the "apply now" button below.