General Counsel/Director, Legal Services

Insurance Council of BC; British Columbia; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 259,000; Full time

Job summary

A regulatory organization in British Columbia seeks a General Counsel/Director of Legal Services. The role involves developing legal strategies, providing expert legal advice, and leading a team within a hybrid work environment. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Collaborative work environment

Qualifications

• 15 years’ experience in a regulatory environment with 5 years at Senior Management level preferred.
• Highly proficient in administrative and privacy law.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the organization's legal strategy, policies, and procedures.
• Provide legal advice for inquiries, audits, complaints, and investigations.
• Lead the coordination and preparation for hearings.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Critical Thinking

Education

University Law degree

Job description

About the Insurance Council

The Insurance Council of British Columbia is a forward-thinking regulatory organization committed to excellence and innovation. We license and regulate the activities of over 50,000 insurance agents, salespersons, and adjusters in British Columbia.

Why Work for the Insurance Council?

Join a great team in a rewarding career that makes a difference for the public good. Be part of a visionary organization that values innovation and excellence, and have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the regulatory landscape. We offer a collaborative and supportive work environment, competitive salary, and benefits package. This is a hybrid position that has the flexibility to work remotely with occasional office days as needed.

The Opportunity

The General Counsel/Director, Legal Services is a strategic leader responsible for developing and implementing legal services within a regulatory environment through oversight of the provision of expert legal advisory services. As a skillful people leader and mentor, the General Counsel/Director, Legal Services will guide a team of lawyers, paralegals, and legal assistants. This role reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and is a member of, and advisor to, the organization’s Leadership Team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Strategy and Advice:

• Develop and implement the organization's legal strategy, policies, and procedures in line with legislation and the overall corporate strategy.
• Provide legal advice for inquiries, audits, complaints, investigations, disciplinary processes, and licensing suitability matters in accordance with legislation and Council policies.
• Prepare, review, and provide legal analysis of proposed policies, guidelines, rules, and legislation.
• Act as the organization’s Privacy Officer and oversee compliance with FOIPPA including the organization’s responses to FOI requests.
• Conduct legal research and gather information and data from various sources.

Legal Documentation and Support:

• Oversee the drafting of correspondence to complainants, applicants, licensees, and others.
• Facilitate the preparation of production orders and subpoenas.
• Oversee legal support for Council’s Review and Licensing Committees by coordinating cases to be presented, providing legal advice and training, and facilitating the preparation of committee reports.
• Oversee the drafting and circulation of intended decisions and orders.
• Lead the coordination and preparation for hearings including organizing and training hearing committees, engaging with counsel for all parties, updating hearing guidance documents and overseeing evidence disclosure.
• Oversee the organization’s participation in Financial Services Tribunal appeals and judicial reviews.
• Engage external legal counsel as required.

Leadership and Management:

• Provide leadership to department team members, including hiring, performance management, and support to achieve departmental and organizational goals.
• Contribute as a member of the senior management team in organizational oversight and strategy.
• Present to stakeholders as a representative of the Insurance Council.

Qualifications and Experience

• University Law degree and practicing member in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia
• Highly proficient in the practice of administrative and privacy law
• Knowledge of the BC judicial system and procedures
• Skilled in the rules of evidence, investigations, and presentation
• Proficient in insurance and/or financial services concepts
• Fifteen (15) years’ experience in a regulatory environment with five (5) years at a Senior Management level (preferred)
• Experience in drafting complex legal documents
• Seasoned ability to accurately interpret applicable legislation and regulations
• Strong leadership, coaching and mentoring skills
• Constructive conflict resolution and negotiation skills
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with several concurrent tasks, and the flexibility to work with changing priorities and deadlines

Salary Range: $180,119 - $258,921 with a midpoint of $225,149 per annum.
Upon hire, new employees will be placed in a starting salary between the minimum and P50 (midpoint) of the salary range. The P50 of the range represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications, and experience for the position.