Employment opportunity: Permanent, part-time (3 days/week)

Reports: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Remote work arrangement within Canada

The Conference Board of Canada is the nation’s largest independent applied research organization offering unbiased, evidence-based information and analysis to both industry and federal/provincial governments. We have one of the country’s largest private economic analysis and forecasting teams and are widely recognized for expert economic forecasting, modeling, and leading analysis. Simply put, we deliver insights that help leaders cut through the noise and make informed decisions.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), as Senior Legal Counsel you will be lead the structuring, drafting and negotiation of the Conference Board of Canada (“CBoC”) complex services transactions and advise CBoC on a wide range of challenging legal matters including litigation, corporate governance, employment, privacy, compliance and any other legal matters.

If you are the ideal candidate, you demonstrate a proactive, practical, and results-oriented approach to providing legal services delivered with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. You are able to prioritize and adapt to changing demands and deadlines while maintaining strict attention to detail, organization and discretion in handling confidential information.

We are a virtual organization and as a remote worker you must be comfortable and able to work 100 per cent of the time from a home office in Canada. To be successful as a remote worker you need to have a self-starter attitude, possess strong organizational and time management skills and be a proactive communicator. Having a home office environment that provides for a productive, professional, and safe work environment during regular working/business hours is a requirement of this role.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Contract Management

Provide advice on legal risks associated with all commercial transactions and offer creative solutions to mitigate risks.
Work with internal business leaders to structure and draft complex client and funder transactions in a fast-paced corporate environment including master services agreements, statements of work, service level agreements, professional services agreements, master subscription agreements, funding agreements, license agreements, system implementation agreements and managed services agreements.
Lead the contract-related negotiations with external stakeholders (e.g. funders, clients) by explaining CBoC’s contractual terms, relaying external stakeholder legitimate concerns and making recommendations to internal business leaders of potential way forward with the best risk/opportunity balance.
Manage third-party contracts, including reviewing third-party contract terms, identifying any concerns (e.g. financial, operational, practical), drafting proposed amendments, ensuring CBoC and all team members are compliant with the contract requirements, and managing renewals, including negotiating new terms.
Implement and manage standard contract administration policies and processes (e.g.housing of contracts.)
Proactively identify process or other improvement opportunities and be a change management champion as it relates to CBoC’s contracting strategy and practices.

Other

Serve as the Secretary to the Board of Directors and support the CEO and the Board of Directors in their governance responsibilities
Act as CBoC’s Privacy Officer and fulfilling all associated duties, including reviewing our privacy policy to ensure adherence with regulatory requirements and investigating and resolving any privacy complaints
Provide legal advice to CBoC and business stakeholders on a variety of legal matters, including matters relating to corporate governance, privacy, litigation and employment
Liaise with external and opposing counsels regarding litigation, corporate governance and privacy matters
Ensure risks identified by legal are understood, dispositioned and/or approved adequately by the business leadership
Develop and build trusted relationships with internal and external clients, legal teams, vendor management offices and other key stakeholders

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Credentials

Juris Doctorate (JD) from an accredited law school.
Admitted to practice law in Ontario or eligible for admission to practice law in Ontario.
Demonstrated expert knowledge in privacy and contract law. Maintain currency on changes to laws, regulations, rulings, interpretations and jurisprudence in areas of specialization.
Proven capability to negotiate terms and conditions while minimizing risks to the company
Able to clearly interpret and communicate complex legal concepts (written and spoken).
Bilingual fluency in French and English (oral and written) is an asset
Excellent skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Experience

Experience as a lawyer in a law firm or in-house corporate environment with a specialty in commercial/corporate transactions (including complex contracts).
Experience dealing with Public Sector contracts an asset

Managerial Abilities

Strong business acumen and judgment
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including a collaborative, proactive and flexible approach to working with staff and clients at all levels
Resourcefulness in solving problems along with an ability to manage problems logically and creatively to achieve the end goal
Strong client service focus in dealing with both external and internal clients, displaying an image of professionalism, discretion, integrity and tact
Exceptional organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities in a high volume, fast paced environment
Strong prioritization and multitasking skills with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with minimal direction

We value the unique skills, experiences, and insights that each employee brings to The Conference Board of Canada. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. If you require an accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please email cbocjobs@conferenceboard.ca and we will work with you to meet your needs.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest in The Conference Board of Canada. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Conference Board of Canada

New Jobs

Senior Legal Counsel (Remote - Canada)