Contract Specialist Paralegal

J.D. Irving, Limited; Halifax; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading shipbuilding company in Halifax is seeking a Contract Specialist Paralegal to act as the primary liaison between departments and Legal for contract matters. This full-time, in-office role requires post-secondary education in a relevant field and 3-5 years of experience supporting legal counsel, ideally within commercial or construction contracting. Candidates should possess strong communication skills and attention to detail, and must meet security clearance requirements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in a paralegal role supporting legal counsel.
• Experience supporting procurement teams is beneficial but not required.
• Must meet requirements for Canadian Controlled Goods Program and ITAR.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for Legal support.
• Assist with contract negotiations and engage legal counsel.
• Draft contracts, amendments, and related documents for review.
• Organize and manage legal documents using iManage.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to monitor contract obligations.

Skills

Attention to detail

Written communication

Verbal communication

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

Post-secondary education in a relevant field

Formal Paralegal training

Tools

Legal software packages

Database management

iManage

Job description

Join Irving Shipbuilding’s dynamic in-house Legal team as a Contract Specialist Paralegal, serving as the primary liaison between departments and Legal on a wide range of contract matters. In this role, you’ll ensure a risk‑aware approach to drafting and administration while collaborating closely with legal experts to support business needs. This is an opportunity to work in a high‑performing team and gain exposure to complex, impactful projects that shape the future of shipbuilding.

Qualifications

• Post‑secondary education in a relevant field, with preference for formal Paralegal training.
• Minimum 3‑5 years’ experience in a paralegal role supporting legal counsel engaged in commercial or construction contracting.
• Experience with Microsoft Office.
• Experience with legal software packages and database management considered an asset.
• Experience supporting procurement teams is beneficial but not required.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent written and verbal communication skills is needed to be successful in this role.

Due to the nature of work Irving Shipbuilding does, all successful applicants must meet requirements for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP), Canadian Government Security clearance, and U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Please note this position requires a full‑time, in‑office presence.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for Legal support, ensuring departments provide necessary information for contract execution.
• Assist with contract negotiations and engage legal counsel when needed.
• Draft contracts, amendments, and related documents for review.
• Organize and manage legal documents using iManage (training provided).
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to align priorities and monitor contract obligations.
• Support contract lifecycle management, approvals, and risk mitigation.
• Provide additional legal and administrative support, including letters, process improvements, and Access to Information Act requests.