Assistant General Counsel

Toronto Metropolitan University

Toronto

Hybrid

CAD 150,000 - 190,000

Full time

10 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Mid-year break with two weeks paid PTO

Group health and dental benefits

Tuition waiver for eligible employees

Defined benefit pension plan

Job summary

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) seeks an Assistant General Counsel to deliver strategic legal advice and lead a team of lawyers supporting the university’s corporate functions.

You will oversee strategic initiatives, manage legal projects, and liaise with external providers on commercial transactions, contracts, procurement and regulatory compliance. This role requires strong leadership and a proactive, client-focused approach within a university setting.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) or Juris Doctor (J.D) or equivalent law degree is required.
Must be a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant post-call experience in corporate/commercial law.

Responsibilities

Deliver strategic legal advice and oversee a team of lawyers and legal professionals.
Manage strategic planning and ongoing delivery of legal services.
Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of corporate and commercial agreements.
Advise on regulatory compliance, risk management and governance.
Lead and supervise a team, balance multiple priorities, and manage external providers.

Skills

Leadership

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Legal analysis

Communication skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Education

LL.B or JD or equivalent

Job description

About Toronto Metropolitan

For more than 75 years, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) has been shaping the next generation of leaders through its uniquely innovative, entrepreneurial and career-focused approach to higher education. Driven by bold leadership, cutting-edge research and a deep commitment to academic excellence, TMU collaborates with students, faculties, staff and partners to push boundaries, reimagine solutions and create meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world. For a more in-depth understanding of our vision, core values and ongoing work, please see our academic plan TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and in every unit of the university. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQ+ people. Preference will be given to candidates with lived experiences as people from equity deserving groups, as well as experience working with these communities with which the University works every day. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and we welcome newcomers and immigrants to Canada. In April 2022, the university announced its new name of Toronto Metropolitan University. Learn more about our next chapter.

Office of the General Counsel and Board Secretariat (GCBS)

The Office of the General Counsel and Board Secretariat (GCBS) is responsible for providing strategic legal, compliance, privacy and risk advice, facilitating sound decision-making and processes, and enabling the University to carry out its academic mission in accordance with the University’s legal, governance and regulatory responsibilities. GCBS has responsibility for key University legal, governance and risk functions including legal services, privacy, access to information, compliance, enterprise risk management, and facilitation and coordination for the University’s Board of Governors.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the General Counsel, Secretary of the Board of Governors and Chief Privacy Officer (the “General Counsel”), the Assistant General Counsel is responsible for the delivery of strategic legal advice and support to the University, leading a team of lawyers and legal professionals that serve the University’s corporate functions.

Responsibilities include supporting the strategic planning and management of the University’s legal function, overseeing and implementing strategic projects and initiatives to enhance the delivery of legal services, and liaising with external legal providers. This position plays a key role in providing legal counsel and guidance to the university on matters related to commercial transactions, contracts, procurement, regulatory compliance, management and mitigation of legal risks, and corporate governance.

Key Responsibilities

Manages the delivery of legal services, allocating matters amongst the legal team, liaising with and managing external legal providers, developing resource plans for the legal function, and ensuring timely and quality legal services are delivered to the University.

Supports the General Counsel in providing strategic legal advice to the University, including assessing legal risk to the organization and monitoring legal developments.

Drafts, reviews and negotiates a broad range of corporate and commercial agreements, including service agreements, funding agreements, leases,, technology and licence agreements, procurement documents, partnership agreements, and non-disclosure agreements.

Works closely with the senior management of the University to further the strategic priorities of the organization, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Advises on legal risks associated with commercial transactions offering creative solutions to mitigate risk.

Leads and oversees the implementation of strategic initiatives to enhance legal services delivery, including file, precedent and document management systems.

Facilitates enterprise contract management, overseeing the development of templates, tools and other processes to manage contract volumes and risk.

Qualifications

Successful completion of a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) or Juris Doctor (J.D) or equivalent law degree is required.

Must be a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario

Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant post-call experience practicing law in a law firm or in-house senior counsel position with a focus on corporate / commercial law.

Demonstrated experience handling complex corporate / commercial law matters, particularly in the areas of corporate and commercial law, contract negotiation and drafting, and procurement..

Experience with privacy law, artificial intelligence (AI) application in legal services, and IT transactions is an asset.

Knowledge of the legal framework relevant to the post-secondary education sector and broader public sector is an asset.

Experience in a management role leading and supervising a team of legal professionals with a passion about mentoring, leading and building strong business relationships

Ability to balance multiple and competing priorities

Excellent project management skills with the ability to monitor and follow up on many activities concurrently under time constraints

Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to convey complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders at all levels of the organization

Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues appropriately

Strong business acumen and initiative

Exceptional customer service skills to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

Leadership Competencies

Leaders at TMU are required to demonstrate the following Leadership Competencies:

Acts with Integrity: Demonstrates behaviors aligned with high ethical standards and personal integrity and acts in accordance with TMU values.

Builds Relationships of Trust & Collaboration: Actively builds a culture of trust and fosters meaningful relationships.

Leads Inclusively: Creates an inclusive environment where everyone is respected, recognized, empowered to achieve their potential, and valued for their differences.

Demonstrates Organizational Acumen: Understands and respectfully navigates complex internal and external environments using sound judgment, diplomacy, and tact.

Drives Vision & Results: Creates and implements a vision grounded in sound decision-making to achieve desired outcomes.

Additional Information (MAC)

Position Number: 20000659
Reports To: General Counsel, Secretary of the Board of Governors and Chief Privacy Officer
Department: General Counsel
Employee Group: MAC
Vacancy Type: FTCE

Work Location: Hybrid (3 days in-person/on-campus and remaining days remote), based on operational requirements and subject to change
Start Date: ASAP
Hours of Work: 36.25
Grade: E81
Posting Date: October 26, 2026
Application Close Date: November 13, 2026

Applicants who do not meet all of the posted qualifications may, upon the University’s sole discretion, be considered to fill a vacancy on an underfill basis.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
As part of the selection process, candidates may be required to complete an occupational assessment.
We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please submit your request through the AskHR webform. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Benefits

There is something for everyone! Employees are eligible for many benefits, services, and discounts that Toronto Metropolitan University has to offer: