Legal Counsel (12-month Term)

Payments Canada; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

Payments Canada is seeking a Legal Counsel to join our team in Toronto or Ottawa. You will provide strategic legal analysis and advice relating to our enabling legislation, by-laws, rules, and regulatory framework, supporting governance, commercial affairs, and fintech initiatives.

You will mentor colleagues, participate in planning, and help drive efficient, confidential legal support across the organization while balancing legal risks with business goals.

Qualifications

• Excellent legal research and drafting skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to identify risks and propose practical solutions while aligning with business objectives.
• Experience with corporate and regulatory law in financial services is an asset.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to deliver high‑quality advice.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal analysis and advice on Payments Canada's mandate, by-laws, rules and regulatory framework.
• Support business operations with proactive legal guidance on projects and inquiries across banking and payments law, governance, and IT/Fintech issues.
• Mentor colleagues and share knowledge to strengthen the legal function.
• Help implement process improvements and maintain solicitor‑client privilege and confidentiality.

Skills

Legal research

Drafting

Communication

Risk assessment

Business acumen

Team collaboration

Education

LL.B or JD

Lawyer in good standing (Ontario)

Job description

What we are looking for

Reporting to the Director, Legal Affairs & Senior Legal Counsel, the Legal Counsel functions as part of a collegial team and provides strategic and business focused legal analysis and advice to Payments Canada relating to its statutory mandate, legal and regulatory framework (including the development and interpretation of Payments Canada’s enabling legislation, by-laws and rules), strategic goals, and general business affairs. As a trusted team player and peer mentor, the Legal Counsel readily shares their specialized knowledge and works to develop both their own expertise and skills and those of others.

Legal Advice and Support Services

• Support Payments Canada in its business operations and in achieving its strategic plan by proactively advising on a wide range of legal risks and issues, responding to internal and external legal inquiries, providing legal support on projects, and giving both strategic and operational legal advice on matters such as:
  • the Canadian Payments Act, and Payments Canada’s by-laws, rules, and standards;
  • Banking and payments law;
  • Governance, regulatory oversight, and regulatory practices and requirements;
  • General corporate and commercial law;
  • Intellectual property; and
  • Information technology, Fintech, and emerging policy and legal issues.
• Seek out opportunities and establish methods to share knowledge with legal and business partner colleagues to promote collaboration and the transfer of knowledge.
• Participate in Legal team planning to help foster an environment of continuous improvement in the provision of efficient and effective legal support to Payments Canada.
• Seek out, promote, and implement process and practice management improvements on an ongoing basis.
• Protect Payments Canada’s solicitor-client privilege and treat all matters involving the provision of legal advice in strictest confidence, as required by the duties of confidentiality and loyalty set out in the rules of professional conduct applicable to practicing lawyers.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to colleagues across Payments Canada with respect to specific subject matter expertise.

Professional Development

• The incumbent should expect to spend a minimum of 5-10 days annually on professional development in fulfillment of Law Society CPD requirements, and to maintain the skills required in the performance of the duties associated with this position.
• Develop and maintain legal skills and expertise by seeking out peer learning opportunities and attending continuing legal education offerings tailored to develop professional and subject matter expertise.

Technical Competencies

• Excellent legal research and drafting skills
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to identify risks and potential solutions when providing legal advice
• Business acumen with an ability to balance legal risks and business objectives, influence business leaders, and deal effectively with conflict
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to produce high-quality work
• Ability to devise innovative approaches to problems
• Ability to provide concise guidance and advice

Personal Competencies

• Critical reasoning and analytical thinking
• Displays of social and self-awareness
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Develops and apply innovative solutions as appropriate
• Ability to quickly establish and maintain credibility and respect among colleagues and peers within and beyond Payments Canada
• Exercises a high degree of initiative and flexibility
• Recognizes the importance of strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrates commitment to continuous learning and skills development for self, and provides support to others via mentorship and knowledge sharing
• Acts decisively and assertively as needed
• Demonstrates excellent judgment and discretion
• Strong interpersonal skills; the incumbent must maintain professional interactions and be able to respond to all employees, members and external contacts in a diplomatic manner

What you need to be successful

• Baccalaureate of Laws (LL. B) or Juris Doctor (J.D.);
• Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario;
• Minimum of three (3) years of post-call corporate law experience in a law firm or in-house/corporate counsel position;
• Experience in drafting and interpreting legislation, by-laws, rules and standards, and organizational policies;
• Experience in reviewing, drafting, and negotiating contracts;
• Experience in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with business partners, clients or stakeholders;
• Experience in financial services and with federally regulated entities is considered an asset;
• Valid criminal records check or eligibility to obtain;
• Ability to accommodate occasional travel, as required;
• Must be able to work out of our Toronto or Ottawa offices;
• Post-call corporate law experience in a law firm or in-house/corporate counsel position in Ontario is considered an asset;
• Experience or background in employment and labor law is considered an asset; and
• Bilingualism (English and French) is considered an asset.

Salary range

Our target starting rate for this role is $119,850 with flexibility based on your experience and qualifications. The full salary range and benefits package are detailed below.