Associate General Counsel

BC Housing; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 187,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top Employer status

Benefits package

Job summary

BC Housing seeks an Associate General Counsel to provide strategic legal advice across a broad range of matters, ensuring risk is managed and compliance is maintained.

Reporting to the General Counsel, the role will lead a team of in-house lawyers, oversee external counsel, and collaborate with the executive team to align legal strategy with organizational objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in law (LL.B or J.D) from a recognized post-secondary institution and a license to practice law in British Columbia.
• Current member in good standing of the Law Society of British Columbia or eligible for membership within three months of the start of employment.
• Extensive legal experience gained through in-house and/or reputable external firm.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience acceptable to the employer.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on a broad range of matters to manage legal risk and ensure compliance.
• Supervise a team of in-house lawyers and oversee external counsel.
• Report on legal risks and strategy areas to the Executive Committee and Board.
• Support commercial terms, public procurement, privacy, insurance, and other agreements.

Skills

Legal risk management

Contract negotiation

Litigation oversight

Policy compliance

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in law (LL.B or J.D)

BC Bar admission

In-house legal experience

Job description

Location: BURNABY, BC

• Join one of BC’s Top Employers!
• Be part of an exceptional company culture with great employee benefits and a healthy work/life balance!

ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL

REGULAR/FULL-TIME

Position Summary

( $186,942 - $219,932 Annually )

Reporting to the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, the Associate General Counsel is responsible for providing strategic legal advice for a broad range of legal matters to ensure BC Housing is managing legal risk and is in compliance with the law. He/she/they works closely with the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Board, CEO, Executive Team, and management team to identify and leverage risk, strategies, and operational needs. The position will manage legal matters, supervise a team of in-house lawyers, and oversee external counsel to ensure BC Housing satisfies its legislative obligations, reduces its exposure to risk and negative organizational impacts, and enters into commercial terms that optimize the organization’s objectives. The role, along with BC Housing's legal unit provides a broad range of corporate services to all business units within the Commission, including providing strategic legal advice with matters related to: public procurement, privacy, insurance, compliance, construction, information technology, energy, litigation, employment and labour, commercial leasing, and other agreements (e.g.: housing, purchase and sale, secured financing, services, and licenses). The position will provide reporting on legal risks and strategy areas to the Executive Committee, Board of Commissioners, Ministry of Housing, and other relevant stakeholders.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The successful candidate will have the following:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree and a Law Degree (LL.B or J.D) from a recognized post-secondary institution and a license to practice law in British Columbia.
• Current member in good standing of the Law Society of British Columbia or eligible for membership within three months of the start of employment.
• Extensive legal experience gained through in-house and/or reputable external firm.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience acceptable to the employer.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to learn and understand BC Housing's mandate, programs, and policies in delivering social housing programs and services throughout the province.
• Ability to draft and negotiate complex agreements including service contracts, partnership agreements, public procurement documentation, insurance provisions, and other legal documents.
• Ability to manage and provide advice on complex litigation matters, with appropriate assistance from in-house and/or external counsel.
• Ability to explain complex legal issues and provide recommendations to address issues to a wide range of audience within and outside of BC Housing. Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with private and non-profit partners, various government agencies, external legal counsels, various associations/councils, and other key stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and make difficult decisions independently.
• Ability to deal with sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to lead and manage several complex files, initiatives, and demands concurrently.
• Strategic and analytical thinking, negotiating, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent leadership, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent consultative, facilitation, consensus building, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent skill in researching and investigating issues, determining facts and applying law and policy and making reasoned analyses.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
• Criminal Record Check is required.
• Successful applicant(s) are subject to a satisfactory criminal record search and are required to maintain Security Clearance throughout their employment.

Indigenous candidates are welcome to connect with an Indigenous team member in our organization to discuss the recruitment process and our workplace, please contact [e-mail] to arrange a call.

Please note that this excluded management position is a new position created by the employer. This created position is subject to the provisions of article 3.2 of the BCGEU Administrative/Clerical Division collective agreement. This article requires the employer and the BCGEU to reach a mutual agreement as to the exclusion status of the position which is currently outstanding. The permanent excluded status of this position remains outstanding and may be established as a BCGEU position. Pay, benefits, and terms of conditions of employment may be affected by this change.

BC Housing offers competitive salaries and an excellent benefits package. But a job is more than a pay cheque. We also offer our staff the opportunity to work together to make a difference. When employees go home at the end of the day, they experience the satisfaction of knowing they've helped provide safe, affordable housing for British Columbians. And while they're here, employees can take advantage of many opportunities:

• In-house training, and training at other institutions, for courses related to employees' current positions or to prepare them for advancement within BC Housing.
• Wellness programs including physical fitness, programs to help employees quit smoking, free flu shots, mental health resources, and lunch-and-learn lectures and seminars.
• Recognition programs including long-term service awards, idea recognition and outstanding performance awards.
• Livegreen incentives include an employee transit pass program, and other initiatives that encourage alternative, sustainable transportation (even a bike purchase program!).
• An active Social Club that organizes special events like seasonal parties and arranges group discounts to other events.
• Participation in community and charitable events.

BC Housing thanks all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted. This position is only open to those legally entitled to work in Canada.

we invite and welcome applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, People with Disabilities, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and all people committed to meaningful work that makes a difference. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you require accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

We didn't become one of BC's Top Employers and one of Canada's Greenest Employers without a lot of thought, care and consideration for our team and environment. Our supportive and collaborative workplace balances engaging and challenging work with personal development and wellness initiatives.

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