Chief Legal Advisor

National Bank of Canada; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness program

Flexible group insurance

Generous pension plan

Employee Share Ownership Plan

Employee and family assistance program

Preferential banking services

Community involvement

Telemedicine service

Virtual sleep clinic

Job summary

National Bank of Canada is seeking a Chief Legal Advisor – Mergers & Acquisitions to drive strategic transactions within the Legal Affairs team. You will lead from negotiations to closing, advise on risk and structuring, and negotiate complex documents while coordinating with senior stakeholders and internal partners.

You will oversee due diligence, translate findings into actionable recommendations, and work with Strategy, Corporate Development, Finance, Tax, HR, and Investor Relations,

Qualifications

• Hold a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B. or J.D.) and have 7 to 10 years of relevant experience.
• Be a member in good standing of a Canadian law society.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex legal agreements.
• Ability to provide clear recommendations on legal, business and reputational risks.

Responsibilities

• Lead mergers and acquisitions and other strategic transactions from negotiations through closing as the primary legal advisor.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex transaction documents, including purchase agreements and shareholders’ agreements.
• Oversee legal due diligence, identify risks, and translate findings into pragmatic recommendations.
• Advise on structuring and business opportunities; inform senior stakeholders on legal risk and market standards.
• Collaborate with Strategy and Corporate Development, Finance, Tax, HR and Investor Relations; manage external counsel relationships.

Skills

M&A Negotiations

Legal Regulatory Compliance

Risk Advisory

Stakeholder Relationship Management

Teamwork

Learning Agility

Transaction Advisory Services

Business Strategy

Contractual Agreements

Legal Affairs

Diversity & Inclusion

Resiliency

Artificial Intelligence

Education

LL.B. or J.D.

Job description

Taking on the role of Chief Legal Advisor – Mergers & Acquisitions on the Legal Affairs team at National Bank means playing a central role in the execution of strategic transactions that drive the Bank’s growth and transformation. You will act as the legal lead on complex deals, advising on risk, structuring and negotiations while collaborating closely with senior stakeholders and internal partners.

Your role

• Lead mergers and acquisitions and other strategic transactions from initial negotiations through closing as the primary legal advisor.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex transaction documents, including purchase agreements, shareholders’ agreements, and strategic commercial contracts.
• Oversee legal due diligence, identify key risks, and translate findings into pragmatic recommendations.
• Analyze business opportunities and inform structuring discussions.
• Advise business lines and senior stakeholders on legal risks and mitigants, regulatory considerations, and market standards throughout the transaction lifecycle.
• Collaborate with the Strategy and Corporate Development team and cross- functional partners such as Finance, Tax, HR, and Investor Relations.
• Manage external counsel relationships.

Your team

Within the Legal Affairs sector, you report to the Senior Director – Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships. You’ll join a team of eight specialists across different areas of expertise, who play a key role in shaping the future of National Bank. Our team is recognized for its commitment to excellence in legal advisory services, solutions-oriented mindset, and collaboration.

We aim to provide you with maximum flexibility to support your quality of life. This includes a hybrid work environment as well as flexible and adaptable working arrangements.

The Bank values continuous development and internal mobility. Our personalized learning programs, built around hands‑on experience, help you deepen your expertise and develop new areas of specialization. Resources such as the Data Academy, language training, the Harvard Learning Center, as well as coaching and mentoring opportunities, are available to you at all times.

Prerequisites

• Hold a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B. or J.D.) and have 7 to 10 years of relevant experience acquired in private practice, in‑house counsel roles, or a combination of both.
• Be a member in good standing of a Canadian law society.
• Demonstrated experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex legal agreements and documentation.
• Ability to provide clear recommendations with respect to legal, business and reputational risks.
• Sound judgement, curiosity, rigour, and ownership mindset.

French is not required for candidates based outside of Quebec.

Languages: French, English

Reason to require this language: you will need to collaborate with a regulator/authority/government body outside Quebec.

Required skills: Artificial Intelligence, Business Strategy, Contractual Agreements, Diversity & Inclusion, Learning Agility, Legal Affairs, Legal Document Preparation, Legal Regulatory Compliance, M&A Negotiations, Mergers & Acquisitions, Resiliency, Risk Advisory, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Teamwork, Transaction Advisory Services

Your benefits

In addition to competitive compensation, upon hiring you’ll be eligible for a wide range of flexible benefits to help promote your wellbeing and that of your family such as:

• Health and wellness program, including many options
• Flexible group insurance
• Generous pension plan
• Employee Share Ownership Plan
• Employee and family assistance program
• Preferential banking services
• Involvement in community initiatives
• Telemedicine service
• Virtual sleep clinic

We have an offer that keeps up with trends as well as your needs and those of your family.

Our dynamic work environments and cutting-edge collaboration tools foster a positive employee experience. We value employees’ ideas. Whether through our surveys or programs, regular feedback and ongoing communication are encouraged.

Making a bold move in a people‑first environment

We’re a bank on a human scale that stands out for its courage, entrepreneurial culture, and passion for people. Our mission is to have a positive impact on people’s lives. Our core values of partnership, agility, and empowerment inspire us, and inclusion is central to our commitments. We aim, wherever possible, to provide a barrier‑free and accessible environment to all employees.

We strive to provide accessibility measures throughout the recruitment process within the limits of our available resources. If you require accommodations, feel free to let us know during our initial conversations. We welcome all candidates! What can you bring to our team?

Join us!