Counsel, International and Regulatory Affairs

Air Canada; Dorval; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Canada, headquartered in Montréal, seeks an experienced in-house attorney to provide strategic legal counsel on international and regulatory matters affecting aviation operations. The role emphasizes competition, administrative, and international law, with advisory support for alliances and regulatory initiatives.

You will monitor regulatory developments, assess risks, and guide stakeholders with practical, business-oriented advice to advance Air Canada’s objectives in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Law degree with strong academic credentials.
• Bar membership in a Canadian province or U.S. state; training in both common law and civil law is an asset.
• At least five years of relevant experience at a major law firm or in-house legal department.
• Experience in competition, administrative, or international law and exposure to regulated industries.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong negotiation and analytical skills; self-motivated and capable of handling responsibility in a dynamic environment.
• Sound business judgment and a strategic, pragmatic approach to assessing legal risk.
• A strong drive for results, urgency, and motivation to achieve goals.
• Ability to understand, anticipate, and meet client needs while communicating effectively and mindful of risks.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and strategic counsel on international and regulatory matters, with emphasis on aviation regulatory law, competition law, administrative law, trade and economic sanctions, and related matters affecting international operations.
• Provide legal support on alliances and strategic partnerships with regulatory implications such as interlining, code shares, and joint ventures.
• Monitor and assess regulatory developments and proposed legislation, evaluating potential legal and commercial implications for the business.
• Identify and communicate legal and regulatory risks, offering practical, business-oriented guidance to support objectives.
• Act as a key business advisor for various client groups, balancing operational implications with legal risk and strategic objectives.

Job description

Being part of Air Canada is to become part of an iconic Canadian symbol, recently ranked the best Airline in North America. Let your career take flight by joining our diverse and vibrant team at the leading edge of passenger aviation. Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers more travel choices than any other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations worldwide, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, day tours, and car rentals. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada’s TCFD disclosure. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX (AC) in Canada and the OTCQX (ACDVF) in the US. The Counsel, International and Regulatory Affairs will work on a variety of contract and strategic initiatives in relation to regulatory aviation law, competition law, trade and economic sanctions, anti-corruption laws and international matters.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and strategic counsel on international and regulatory matters, with particular emphasis on aviation regulatory law, competition law, administrative law, trade and economic sanctions, anti-corruption requirements, and matters affecting international operations.
• Provide legal support on alliance and strategic partnerships such as interlining, code shares, and joint ventures and projects having regulatory implications such international country start-ups.
• Monitor and assess regulatory developments, proposed legislation and strategic regulatory initiatives, evaluating their potential legal, operational and commercial implications for the business.
• Identify, assess and communicate legal and regulatory risks, and provide practical, business-oriented advice that supports business objectives while appropriately managing risk.
• Act as a key player or strategic business advisor for various client groups and have a practical and business-oriented approach, recognizing the operational and commercial implications of any arrangement, strategic regulatory initiatives, proposed legislation or business initiatives.

Qualifications

• Law degree with strong academic credentials and a demonstrated record of achievement.
• Membership in the bar of a Canadian province or U.S. state is required; training in both common law and civil law is an asset.
• At least five years of relevant experience at a major law firm or established in-house legal department.
• Relevant experience in competition, administrative, or international law and exposure to regulated industries are required, along with a commitment to learning the business to better support its strategies and objectives.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong negotiation, and analytical skills; self-motivated and comfortable taking on responsibility and challenges in a dynamic, evolving environment.
• Sound business judgment and a strategic, pragmatic, and thorough approach to assessing legal risk.
• A strong drive for results, a sense of urgency, and motivation to achieve goals.
• Ability to understand, anticipate, and meet client needs while communicating effectively and remaining mindful of related risks.
• Strategic and creative thinking, with the ability to refine and combine different approaches into practical solutions.
• Initiative, proactivity, and resourcefulness.
• Strong advocacy with the strategic influence to explain complex legal matters clearly, concisely, and persuasively. Able to build compelling arguments based on facts, logic, and law; listen and ask effective questions to understand business objectives; and tailor messages to the audience.
• Supportive of innovation, adaptable, and flexible in rapidly changing environments, with a strong desire to learn and build knowledge.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure while remaining composed in difficult situations.
• Thoroughness, tenacity, and resilience to overcome challenges and pursue goals with sustained enthusiasm.
• A strong work ethic, high personal standards, discretion with sensitive and confidential information, commitment to following through, open and honest communication, and a respectful manner.
• Demonstrate punctuality and dependability to support overall team success in a fast-paced environment.

Conditions Of Employment

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country of interest at the time any offer of employment is made and are responsible for obtaining any required work permits, visas, or other authorizations necessary for employment. Prior to their start date, candidates will also need to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the country of interest.

Linguistic Requirements

Based on equal qualifications, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Diversity and Inclusion

Air Canada is strongly committed to Diversity and Inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible and rewarding work environment which highlights employees’ unique contributions to our company’s success.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all to help us build a diverse workforce which reflects the diversity of our customers, and communities, in which we live and serve.

Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest; however only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted.