General Counsel

Confidential Jobs; Burlington; On-site; CAD 220,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential organization in Canada seeks a seasoned General Counsel to lead the legal function and advise senior leadership on strategic matters. Heavy involvement in governance, risk management, and cross-functional initiatives awaits the right candidate.

The role requires a hands-on, commercially minded attorney capable of handling executive-level guidance and detailed legal work. Ontario bar status and a track record across corporate law are essential.

Qualifications

• Over 10 years of progressive legal experience advising senior decision-makers.
• Strong background in corporate and commercial law.
• Experience in-house, private practice, or both.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage external advisors and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Act as trusted legal advisor to senior leadership and guide business decisions with practical guidance.
• Lead the legal function, set priorities and align resources with business needs.
• Structure and negotiate complex corporate and commercial arrangements with key partners.
• Maintain and support corporate governance framework and documentation.
• Provide oversight for significant corporate initiatives from assessment to implementation.
• Track and advise on regulatory developments impacting the business.
• Identify and manage legal risk across the organization and escalate as needed.
• Advise on employment, data privacy and intellectual property matters affecting operations.
• Oversee statutory obligations, records, and filings.

Skills

Commercial law

Governance

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Education

LL.B./J.D. or equivalent

Job description

A privately held, growth-oriented organization is conducting a confidential search for an experienced legal executive to lead its legal function and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.

This is the organization’s most senior legal position and offers a broad mandate spanning commercial operations, corporate governance, organizational risk and significant business initiatives. The successful candidate will work directly with business leaders to evaluate legal considerations, support informed decision-making and develop practical solutions that advance organizational priorities.

This opportunity is well suited to a hands-on, commercially minded lawyer who is comfortable moving between executive-level advice and detailed legal work. The General Counsel will have the autonomy to establish legal priorities, strengthen internal practices and guide complex matters from initial assessment through resolution.

Additional information about the organization will be shared with qualified candidates at the appropriate stage of the recruitment process.

Responsibilities:

• Act as a trusted legal advisor to senior leadership, offering clear, pragmatic guidance on business decisions and organizational priorities.
• Lead the organization’s legal function, establishing priorities and ensuring legal resources are aligned with business needs.
• Structure, review and negotiate complex corporate and commercial arrangements with customers, suppliers, service providers and strategic partners.
• Maintain an effective corporate governance framework and support the organization’s governing bodies with appropriate advice and documentation.
• Provide legal oversight for significant corporate and commercial initiatives, from early-stage assessment and negotiation through implementation.
• Evaluate emerging legal and regulatory developments, determine their potential business impact and recommend appropriate actions.
• Establish effective approaches for identifying, escalating and managing legal risk across the organization.
• Advise on matters involving employment, privacy, data protection, intellectual property and other areas affecting business operations.
• Oversee the organization’s corporate and regulatory obligations, including required records, documentation and submissions.
• Select, instruct and oversee external advisors, ensuring specialized matters are handled effectively, responsively and cost-efficiently.
• Develop practical legal resources, policies, processes and templates that improve consistency and support a scalable legal function.
• Promote sound legal judgment and risk awareness throughout the organization by building trusted relationships with leaders and internal teams.

Requirements:

• At least 10 years of progressive legal experience, including significant experience advising businesses and senior decision-makers.
• An LL.B., J.D. or equivalent law degree, with authorization to practice law in Ontario and good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Experience gained in-house, in private practice or through a combination of both.
• Broad expertise in corporate and commercial law, governance and business-related legal matters.
• Experience working within a complex or regulated operating environment; exposure to securities or financial-services regulation is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience supporting material corporate or commercial transactions and navigating complex negotiations.
• Strong commercial judgment and the ability to balance legal risk with operational realities and business objectives.
• The ability to interpret complex legal issues and communicate concise, practical recommendations to non-legal audiences.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, analytical and stakeholder-management capabilities.
• A high degree of integrity, discretion and confidence managing sensitive or confidential matters.
• Experience selecting and overseeing external advisors and managing professional-service budgets.
• The ability to work independently, establish priorities and manage multiple matters in a dynamic environment.
• A collaborative and solutions-oriented approach, with the confidence to provide thoughtful challenge when required.

Why Consider This Opportunity

• Serve as the senior legal advisor to an established and growing organization.
• Influence important business decisions and work directly with executive leadership.
• Shape the future direction, processes and capabilities of the legal function.
• Take on a varied mandate with meaningful exposure across the organization.
• Join a collaborative environment that values sound judgment, accountability and practical problem-solving.

The organization is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience. Accommodations are available throughout the selection process upon request.

We appreciate all applications; however, only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.