Program Legal Counsel

Acumen; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nonprofit organization is seeking a Program Legal Counsel based in Toronto, Canada. The role focuses on ensuring legal compliance and contract support for a program aimed at supporting early-stage social enterprises in Africa. Candidates need a minimum of 5 years of corporate law experience and must be licensed to practice in Canada. The compensation ranges from C$120,000 to C$163,000 CAD plus a performance-based bonus, emphasizing the organization's commitment to equal pay.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of practicing corporate law.
• Familiarity with Canadian charitable laws is preferred.
• Strong commitment to the organization's mission.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with Canadian laws and donor requirements.
• Develop internal processes for compliance.
• Draft and review contracts for program activities.

Skills

Corporate law experience

Stakeholder management

Time management

Ability to navigate ambiguity

Clear communication

Education

Licensed to practice law in Canada

Job description

Overview

Acumen is seeking a mission-driven corporate lawyer based in Canada with a minimum of 5 years of experience in law and managing legal projects across various stakeholders to join our global legal team. The role focuses on legal compliance and contract support for a five‑year program. The right candidate is skilled, creative, kind, pragmatic, respectful and can excel in a fast-paced environment.

Acumen is a global force of entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, and social innovators working together to build a world based on dignity. We invest in transformational companies, build sustainable markets, and prepare leaders with the tools they need to create a more just and inclusive future. Since 2001, we have scaled companies and shaped markets in hard‑to‑reach communities, impacting over half a billion lives. To learn more visit acumen.org.

About the role

Acumen is hiring a Program Legal Counsel to lead legal compliance and contract support for a five‑year program operated out of Canada. The program aims to impact approximately 400 early stage social enterprises in the African green economy that are creating and improving dignified work opportunities for women and youth. Based in Canada, this role will (i) collaborate with internal teams to provide legal support across all program activities, including contract review and (ii) maintain, and advise teams on, compliance with Canadian laws and donor requirements. The role will support program delivery while ensuring adherence to internal and external requirements, provide timely and relevant legal advice, collaborate with teams to drive efficiency, manage overall risk, and coordinate with outside counsel as applicable. The role reports to the Director of Legal and the Associate Director of Risk and Compliance. This role is contingent on funding approval and availability.

Principal areas of accountability

• Compliance: Ensure Acumen Canada activities are in compliance with Canadian laws and donor requirements, including maintaining the legal status of the entity. Responsibilities may include coordinating governmental filings and registrations, developing and implementing policies, staying current with regulatory developments, liaising with outside counsel, memorializing guidance, and rolling out compliance recommendations to program teams.
• Process Development and Implementation: Develop internal processes to ensure the program’s compliance with Canadian laws and donor requirements. Create, implement and maintain adherence to such processes. Responsibilities may include developing template contracts and checklists, conducting due diligence, and collaborating with teams to answer questions and resolve deviations from the process.
• Contract Review: Drafting and reviewing contracts for all program activities. Scope may include charitable and commercial issues, including general contract, intellectual property, data privacy, employment, governance and formation matters. Familiarity with Canadian legal issues is required; familiarity with issues specific to Canadian charities is a plus.
• Project Management: Develop and implement various projects for the program, collaborating with colleagues across functions, maintaining self-discipline and problem-solving to progress in the face of uncertainty, and creating milestones toward timely execution. Identify areas for improvement and opportunities to optimize efficiency.

Qualifications and skills

• Minimum 5 years of experience practicing corporate law and managing legal projects across various stakeholders.
• Familiarity with Canadian charitable laws is a plus.
• Ability to interpret Canadian laws and donor requirements and provide practical guidance to program teams.
• Strong time management skills with a focus on efficiency.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, distill complex ideas clearly, and develop innovative solutions.
• Ability to work proactively under pressure and deliver projects independently with minimal oversight.
• Excellent organizational and stakeholder management skills, including clear communication.
• Commitment to accuracy, attention to detail and follow-through.
• Willingness to work across different time zones efficiently.
• Commitment to and enthusiasm for the organization’s mission and business model.
• Ability to remain composed in high-pressure situations, applying pragmatism and resilience with empathy and humor.
• Self-reflective and aligned with Acumen values.
• Permanently authorized to work in Canada, with a license to practice law.

Deadline

Please submit applications by February 13. Applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Compensation

The salary range for this role in Toronto is C$120,000 to C$163,000 CAD plus a performance-based bonus. This range represents the present low and high end of pay for this role. Actual compensation will vary based on factors including but not limited to experience. Acumen is committed to equal pay, determined through comparison to a market cohort at the same level of accountability.