Assistant Legal Counsel

CFC; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

CFC is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to lead the legal and compliance function for its Canadian business, based in Toronto. The role reports to the Legal Director in London with a dotted line to the CEO of CFC Canada.

You will oversee licensing, regulatory engagement, risk controls, and contract governance across insurance, data privacy, and employment law, advising executive leadership and Board-level stakeholders. Fluency in English is essential; French at business level is a plus.

Qualifications

• Canadian-qualified lawyer with 10+ years’ in-house insurance experience.
• Deep knowledge of Canadian federal and provincial insurance regulation.
• Experience managing licences for insurance and claims-handling activities.
• Ability to lead a Canadian legal/compliance team and advise senior stakeholders.
• Fluency in English; French at business level is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal and regulatory function for Canada and oversee licensing.
• Design and manage Canada's licensing framework, registrations and renewals.
• Review and negotiate Canada-law governed supplier contracts and leases.
• Oversee regulatory engagement and reporting across provinces.
• Support strategic initiatives including M&A and cross‑border projects.

Skills

In-house legal leadership

Insurance regulatory expertise

Regulatory compliance

Contract negotiation

Cross-border collaboration

Education

Canadian law degree

Ontario Bar admission

Job description

Reporting to the Legal Director in London, with a dotted reporting line to the CEO of CFC Canada, the Assistant General Counsel will lead the legal and compliance function for CFC’s Canadian business.

As CFC’s primary legal and regulatory adviser in Canada, you will provide practical, commercially focused support across insurance regulation, licensing, corporate, commercial and operational matters. You will work closely with senior stakeholders in Canada and across the wider Group, helping ensure the business operates in line with federal and provincial requirements and CFC’s risk appetite.

About the role

This is a broad and influential opportunity to shape the legal and compliance framework supporting CFC’s continued development in Canada. You will lead the transition, design and ongoing management of CFC’s Canadian licensing framework, covering corporate and individual licence acquisition and renewals, regulatory engagement, process development, stakeholder support and training.

You will oversee legal and regulatory matters for CFC’s Canadian entities, advising on areas including insurance licensing, provincial insurance council requirements, data privacy, AI regulation and local employment law. Working closely with Group Legal and Compliance, you will help embed relevant policies, controls and escalation processes across the Canadian business.

Alongside your regulatory responsibilities, you will review and negotiate Canadian law-governed supplier contracts, leases and commercial agreements, while maintaining key legal templates including broker agreements, binding authority agreements, claims handling agreements and NDAs.

You will also lead regulatory engagement and reporting, monitor relevant legal and regulatory developments, and translate changes into clear, practical guidance for colleagues across underwriting, claims, operations, compliance and leadership. The role will additionally support strategic initiatives including M&A, portfolio acquisitions, cross-border projects and entity-level dispute management.

About you

You will be a Canadian-qualified lawyer with at least 10 years’ relevant experience and extensive in-house insurance experience. You will bring a deep understanding of Canadian federal and provincial insurance regulation, licensing and compliance requirements, alongside strong knowledge of MGAs and the delegated authority model.

You will have experience managing corporate and individual licences for insurance and claims-handling activities, as well as leading a Canadian legal and compliance team. Comfortable operating as a senior legal leader, you will be able to provide clear, pragmatic advice to senior stakeholders and communicate confidently with a wide range of audiences, including Board-level stakeholders.

You will be fluent in English (with French at business level being a huge plus!). You pride yourself on your strong judgement, excellent communication skills and the ability to balance regulatory requirements with the commercial needs of a growing international business.