Corporate / Commercial Legal Counsel

Northland Properties; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian hospitality group seeks a Corporate Counsel for the Northland Restaurant Division. The role involves providing legal expertise in real estate, franchising, and corporate development, supporting a diverse restaurant portfolio. The ideal candidate will manage contracts, oversee legal matters, and collaborate closely with teams to facilitate growth across North America.

Qualifications

• 2 to 8 years of legal experience, preferably in hospitality or commercial real estate.
• Experience advising on construction and commercial contracts is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Providing legal advice and contract support for restaurant construction.
• Negotiating and drafting corporate and commercial agreements.
• Managing leasing activities from start to finish.

Skills

Negotiation

Problem Solving

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)

Job description

Proud to be 100% Canadian-owned, Northland Properties is recognized as one of the most trusted names in hotels, restaurants, resorts, sports, construction, and asset management. Our well-known brands have been bringing people together to celebrate unforgettable experiences across Canada, the US, Ireland, and the UK for over 50 years. As Canada’s fastest-growing hospitality group, we believe our success is rooted in our people and their ability to take great care of our guests.

Reporting to the General Counsel, Northland Properties Corporation, the Corporate Counsel, Northland Restaurant Division will support North American restaurant development, primarily in Real Estate, Franchising, and Corporate Development. The restaurant portfolio includes over 200 domestic and international locations across brands such as The Signature Group of restaurants (including Wild Blue, Published on Main, and Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar).

The Corporate Counsel will be a key member of the legal team, providing expertise in real estate, leasing, franchising, licensing, corporate structuring, and other commercial matters, including contracts and HR. The ideal candidate will focus on drafting, negotiating, and executing critical business contracts, handling franchise aspects, and growing into a role overseeing all legal matters for the Restaurant Division. Strong contract, negotiation skills, and risk assessment abilities are essential, along with the capacity to manage a diverse lease portfolio.

This position involves close collaboration with other counsel and legal assistants to facilitate legal arrangements for both corporate and franchised restaurants. It offers an exciting opportunity to serve as a strategic legal partner, advising on a broad range of legal issues as Northland Properties expands nationally and internationally.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Providing legal advice and contract support to asset management, planning, and design teams for restaurant construction or renovations.
2. Negotiating, drafting, and preparing general corporate and commercial agreements, including service contracts, vendor agreements, equipment purchases, technology contracts, consulting agreements, and licenses.
3. Handling corporate structuring and governance, especially related to marketing fund entities.
4. Reviewing LOIs and collaborating on new site developments using standard templates.
5. Managing leasing activities from start to finish, including dealing with landlord lease forms and renewals.
6. Supporting restaurant development and brand growth across North America, including reviewing Franchise Disclosure Documents for compliance with laws.
7. Advising on franchise disputes and corporate structuring for new locations and partnerships.
8. Managing outside counsel, developing strategies to increase efficiency and mitigate risks.
9. Performing special projects as needed for senior leadership.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from an accredited Canadian law school.
• Member in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia or equivalent, with licensing to practice law in Canada, and willingness to become licensed in British Columbia.
• 2 to 8 years of legal experience, preferably in hospitality, retail, franchise, or commercial real estate, gained in private practice or in-house.
• Experience advising on construction, development, and commercial contracts is an asset.
• Proven negotiation skills, organizational abilities, and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Passion for hospitality and Northland’s brands, with results-driven mindset, ownership, and accountability.
• Ability to handle multiple complex projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

At Northland Properties, we are committed to building a talented team to provide exceptional hospitality experiences. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome motivated individuals in various fields including Construction, Finance, IT, HR, Marketing, and Support. Join us and explore exciting career opportunities with a hiring range of 110,000 to 165,000 CAD.