Senior Advisor, Legal affairs

Desjardins; Montreal West; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

4 weeks of flexible vacation starting

Defined benefit pension plan

Group insurance including telemedicine

Reimbursement of health and wellness

Telework equipment

Benefits apply based on eligibility

Job summary

Desjardins is seeking a senior legal affairs advisor to protect the organization’s legal interests and ensure compliance with laws. The role involves managing sub-specialties, advising clients and partners on strategic projects, interpreting laws, and representing the organization in court while developing policies to support strategic initiatives.

Collaboration with senior stakeholders is essential to success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• A minimum of eight years of relevant experience is required.
• Must be a member in good standing of the Barreau du Québec or the Chambre des notaires du Québec.
• Strong communication skills in both French and English, both oral and written.

Responsibilities

• Lead specialized development projects with organization-wide impact.
• Advise clients and partners on strategic projects and initiatives.
• Identify, diagnose and address major issues for decision-makers.
• Interpret laws and issue legal opinions based on facts and law.
• Represent the organization in court and negotiate terms on complex matters.
• Develop and update policies and programs to support strategic initiatives.
• Present before senior management committees and decision-making bodies.

Skills

Bilingual communication

Interpersonal skills

Strategic mindset

Leadership of complex projects

Education

Bachelor's degree (related field)

Job description

Required

As a senior legal affairs advisor, you help protect the organization’s legal interests by ensuring it complies with all laws. You also play a key role in making sure that its rights are protected and obligations are met. You represent the organization in situations involving its legal interests. You may be responsible for one or more sub‑specialties, such as contested matters and the Office of the Corporate Secretary (ethics and professional conduct, official registries, meeting minutes, the general meeting, etc.). You lead and influence development projects and complex, highly innovative strategic initiatives involving multiple sectors. You help develop and recommend strategic directions and business positions. Your initiatives require extensive knowledge of your field. you make recommendations on the planning and execution of operationally and conceptually complex projects and initiatives that require comprehensive analysis and understanding of the organization and line of business. Coordination is critical, so you frequently interact with stakeholders working in a wide range of other fields. Interpersonal savvy is therefore essential. You serve as expert advisor and subject matter expert, as well as resource person and coach for senior management and decision‑making bodies. More specifically, you will be required to:

• Lead specialized development projects, initiatives and activities that significantly impact the entire organization
• Advise your clients and partners to help them position, plan, develop, execute and monitor strategic projects and initiatives
• Identify, analyze, diagnose and address major issues and make recommendations to decision‑making bodies
• Interpret laws and regulations and issue legal opinions based on the facts, the law and the course of action
• Represent the organization in court. Develop strategy, draft pleadings, prepare witnesses, deliver oral arguments and negotiate the best possible terms on complex and strategic matters
• Develop and update policies, standards, models and programs to support your unit’s strategic projects and initiatives
• Represent your unit before senior management committees and decision‑making bodies

Required

As a senior legal affairs advisor, you help protect the organization’s legal interests by ensuring it complies with all laws. You also play a key role in making sure that its rights are protected and obligations are met. You represent the organization in situations involving its legal interests. You may be responsible for one or more sub‑specialties, such as contested matters and the Office of the Corporate Secretary (ethics and professional conduct, official registries, meeting minutes, the general meeting, etc.). You lead and influence development projects and complex, highly innovative strategic initiatives involving multiple sectors. You help develop and recommend strategic directions and business positions. Your initiatives require extensive knowledge of your field. you make recommendations on the planning and execution of operationally and conceptually complex projects and initiatives that require comprehensive analysis and understanding of the organization and line of business. Coordination is critical, so you frequently interact with stakeholders working in a wide range of other fields. Interpersonal savvy is therefore essential. You serve as expert advisor and subject matter expert, as well as resource person and coach for senior management and decision‑making bodies. More specifically, you will be required to:

• Lead specialized development projects, initiatives and activities that significantly impact the entire organization
• Advise your clients and partners to help them position, plan, develop, execute and monitor strategic projects and initiatives
• Identify, analyze, diagnose and address major issues and make recommendations to decision‑making bodies
• Interpret laws and regulations and issue legal opinions based on the facts, the law and the course of action
• Represent the organization in court. Develop strategy, draft pleadings, prepare witnesses, deliver oral arguments and negotiate the best possible terms on complex and strategic matters
• Develop and update policies, standards, models and programs to support your unit’s strategic projects and initiatives
• Represent your unit before senior management committees and decision‑making bodies

What we offer*

• Competitive salary and annual bonus
• 4 weeks of flexible vacation starting in the first year
• Defined benefit pension plan that provides predictable, stable income throughout retirement
• Group insurance including telemedicine
• Reimbursement of health and wellness expenses and telework equipment
• Benefits apply based on eligibility criteria.

What You Bring To The Table

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• A minimum of eight years of relevant experience
• Please note that other combinations of qualifications and relevant experience may be considered
• To be a member in good standing of the Barreau du Québec or the Chambre des notaires du Québec
• Strong communication skills in both French and English, both oral and written due to the nature of the duties or work tools or because the position involves interactions with english‑speaking parteners, members and/or clients

Action oriented, Customer Focus, Differences, Interpersonal Savvy, Nimble learning, Strategic mindset

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility

At Desjardins, we believe in equity, diversity and inclusion. We're committed to welcoming, respecting and valuing people for who they are as individuals, learning from their differences, embracing their uniqueness, and providing a positive workplace for all. At Desjardins, we have zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind. We believe our teams should reflect the diversity of the members, clients and communities we serve.

If there's something we can do to help make the recruitment process or the job you're applying for more accessible, let us know. We can provide accommodations at any stage in the recruitment process. Just ask!

Trade Union (If applicable)

Job Family

Legal Affairs (FG)

Unposting Date

2026-10-21