Policy Counsel

CIRO / OCRI; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance based bonus

Employer paid Health Benefits

Defined Contribution Pension Plan

Paid flex days and sick days

Vacation days

Job summary

CIRO / OCRI in Vancouver seeks a Policy Counsel to develop and draft regulations for dealer members. The successful candidate will oversee compliance initiatives, present policy at meetings, and work with internal and external stakeholders.

A Law Degree and a minimum of 3 years of legal experience are required. The role offers a hybrid work environment, competitive salary, and a range of benefits including health coverage and a pension plan.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience practicing law.
• Project or transaction experience is an asset.
• Compliance or legal experience at a CIRO dealer member firm is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and draft Dealer Member regulations and guidance.
• Oversee review and approval of regulation policy initiatives.
• Prepare meeting materials for advisory committees.

Skills

Law Degree (LL.B. or J.D.)

Member of a Bar in Canada

Experience in private practice or in-house counsel

Legal research and drafting skills

Knowledge of CIRO Dealer Member rules

Education

Law Degree (LL.B. or J.D.)

Job description

Policy Counsel – Member Regulation Policy

As a self‑regulatory organization, the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) is committed to setting high regulatory standards for the investment industry, safeguarding investors, and supporting the integrity of Canada’s capital markets.

Reporting to the Director, Member Regulation Policy, the Policy Counsel, Member Regulation Policy, is a member of the Member Regulation Policy Team (MRP) and is responsible for working on policy initiatives relating to the development, drafting, review and approval of new and revised CIRO Dealer Member regulations and guidance, and participates in other operational and day‑to‑day work of MRP.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and draft new and revised Dealer Member regulations and guidance in collaboration with other CIRO staff and external stakeholders as required.
• Oversee the review and approval process of proposed Dealer Member regulation policy initiatives.
• Prepare meeting materials for CIRO advisory committees and present policy initiatives to committees.
• Support and represent CIRO externally, providing interpretation of Dealer Member rules and conducting presentations to regulatory staff, Dealer Members and other stakeholders.

Key Skills and Competencies

Must‑haves

• Law Degree (LL.B. or J.D.).
• Member, in good standing, of a Bar in one or more Canadian jurisdictions.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience practicing law in private practice or as in‑house counsel.
• Project and/or transaction experience is an asset.
• Successful completion of one or more of: Canadian Securities Course, Conduct and Practices Handbook Course, Partners, Directors and Senior Officers Course, or Chief Compliance Officers Qualifying Exam is an asset.
• Compliance or legal experience at a CIRO dealer member firm is an asset.

Nice to haves

• Keen interest in policy development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including legal research and drafting skills.
• Ability to multi‑task and prioritize competing matters.
• Knowledge of CIRO Dealer Member rules, requirements and guidance is an asset.
• Understanding of the role and operations of the CIRO departments responsible for Dealer Member conduct compliance and enforcement of Dealer Member rules and requirements is an asset.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary in alignment with market.
• Performance based bonus.
• Hybrid work environment.
• Employer paid Health Benefits and Spending Account.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching.
• Paid flex days and sick days.
• Vacation days.
• Maternity Leave of Absence/Paternity Leave of Absence top‑up.
• Paid continuous learning and continuing development including designations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CIRO is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). CIRO will provide accommodation to job applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Should you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and are dedicated to providing accommodations upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the recruitment process, in accordance with applicable human rights and accessibility legislation.