General Counsel

WCB Manitoba; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

WCB Manitoba is seeking a General Counsel to provide legal advice and support to the WCB Administration and Board of Directors. The role involves ensuring compliance with laws, managing the legal department, and developing strategic goals. Applicants should have at least 10 years of experience in the legal field and hold a law degree. This position is integral to promoting safe workplaces while maintaining legal integrity.

Benefits

Employee benefits supporting security and wellness

Engagement and growth opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of progressive management experience in a government or corporate counsel setting.
• Knowledge of workers' compensation law and/or administrative law.
• Proficiency in English and French is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic and operational leadership to Legal and Policy Services.
• Advises on various legal matters including contracts and privacy law.
• Represents WCB on external committees.

Skills

Superior verbal and written communication skills

Strong negotiation and persuasion skills

Analytical skills

Leadership skills

Public speaking ability

Education

University degree in Law

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Reporting to the CEO, the General Counsel is the WCB's senior legal counsel, responsible for providing effective legal advice and support to the WCB Administration and its Board of Directors (BoD) concerning The Workers Compensation Act, the workers' compensation system, and the law. This includes, but is not limited to, privacy law, contracts, employment/labour law, labour relations, and human rights matters. This position also provides strategic and operational leadership to the Legal and Policy Services department.

Job Duties :

1. Provides advice that enables the WCB to operate within the boundaries of the law and comply with all statutes, regulations, and policies; reviews the quality and sufficiency of legal advice provided by in-house and external counsel.
2. Provides direction, leadership, guidance, and support to the Legal and Policy Services Department, including hiring, performance reviews, labour relations, performance development, coaching, and disciplinary actions up to dismissal when necessary.
3. Plans, directs, and controls the overall operation and administration within Legal and Policy Services, including planning, development, implementation, delivery, and evaluation of programs, products, and services.
4. Develops and manages the legal and policy priorities, including strategic goals.
5. Leads the statutory legislative review process.
6. Reviews WCB policies for legal compliance and provides advice on jurisdiction, research, and policy opinions.
7. Educates and advises WCB staff, Directors, Appeal Commissioners, and external groups on workers' compensation principles.
8. Monitors and researches legal issues relevant to the workers' compensation system and the WCB.
9. Prepares government documentation, including Ministerial briefing notes, Orders in Council, regulations, and accompanying documents.
10. Prepares legislative and regulation amendments.
11. Represents WCB on external committees, including AWCBC committees, at national workers' compensation lawyers' conferences, and participates in various internal WCB committees.
12. Engages in professional and personal development through continuing education, workshops, seminars, etc.
13. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

1. University degree in Law and entitlement to practise law in Manitoba.
2. Minimum ten (10) years' progressive management experience practising law in a government or corporate counsel setting, preferably in workers' compensation law and/or administrative law.
3. Knowledge of managerial techniques and principles.
4. Proficiency in using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in a Windows environment.
5. Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical and legal information clearly.
6. Ability to act with tact, diplomacy, integrity, and professionalism in sensitive situations.
7. Strong negotiation, persuasion, and stakeholder influence skills.
8. Public speaking ability on behalf of the WCB.
9. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information securely.
10. Excellent judgment, analytical, and research skills.
11. Ability to interpret legislation, policies, and legal documents.
12. Leadership skills to manage, mentor, and motivate staff.
13. Experience in developing and managing budgets.
14. Organizational skills to prioritize workloads and meet deadlines.
15. Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
16. Proficiency in both English and French is an asset but not required.

Additional Information :

A satisfactory criminal record check and education verification are required.

The WCB is committed to a diverse workforce and encourages applicants from Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, women, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, and other equity groups to apply and indicate their membership in these groups.

About WCB :

The Workers Compensation Board promotes safety and health in Manitoba workplaces, aiming to prevent workplace injuries and diseases. It collaborates with partners to promote safe workplaces, facilitate recovery, and provide supportive compensation services. WCB offers employee benefits supporting security, wellness, engagement, and growth.