Lead Legal Counsel

Confidential; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a Lead Legal Counsel to oversee the legal function for its Canadian operations. The role is hybrid and based in Toronto, working with global legal leadership and senior stakeholders to address Canadian securities, investment management, corporate, governance, and regulatory matters.

The successful candidate will advise on fund formation, capital raising, and evolution of investment products.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead legal teams and manage cross-functional stakeholders.
• Deep knowledge of Canadian securities laws and investment management regulations.
• Strong negotiation and contract drafting skills for complex agreements.
• Experience advising on fund formation, private equity, and hedge funds is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as lead legal adviser for Canadian operations and coordinate with global legal leadership.
• Guide on securities, regulatory and governance matters for product launches and market expansion.
• Draft, negotiate, and structure various legal agreements and fund formation documents.
• Partner with business units, compliance, and executives to support capital raises and strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Securities law

Contract negotiation

Education

J.D./LL.B.

Job description

The client is seeking a Lead Legal Counsel to oversee the legal function for its Canadian operations within the alternative asset management sector. This hybrid role, based in Toronto, involves working closely with global legal leadership and senior business stakeholders to provide guidance on a wide range of Canadian securities, investment management, corporate, governance, and regulatory matters. The position offers the opportunity to influence business strategy, product development, regulatory initiatives, and market expansion efforts.

The successful candidate will serve as the primary legal adviser for the Canadian business, acting as the subject matter expert on Canadian securities and investment management regulations. Responsibilities include partnering with business, product, compliance, and executive leadership teams to support the expansion of investment products and services, advising on the formation and management of private investment funds, supporting capital raising activities, and drafting and negotiating a variety of legal agreements. The role also involves providing legal and regulatory guidance on new product launches, leading interactions with external counsel, advising on governance frameworks, and monitoring regulatory developments impacting asset managers and alternative investment platforms.

Candidates should possess a J.D. or LL.B. and active membership in good standing with a Canadian provincial law society, along with significant legal experience advising investment management, private equity, hedge fund, or alternative asset management businesses. Deep knowledge of Canadian securities laws, exempt market regulations, and asset management regulatory requirements is essential, as is experience drafting and negotiating fund formation documents and related agreements. Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills are required, and familiarity with U.S. securities laws or international asset management platforms is considered advantageous. The client offers a competitive compensation package including base salary, cash bonus, equity, and benefits.