Senior General Counsel

SPE - Serruya Private Equity; Markham; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Serruya Private Equity is seeking an experienced Senior General Counsel to lead the legal function across the organization and its portfolio companies, reporting to the Managing Director. You will advise on franchise matters, commercial real estate, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and compliance, while acting as a trusted advisor to ownership and senior leadership.

This role requires a senior legal professional with strong technical expertise and solid business judgment to

Qualifications

• 10+ years of legal experience in in-house or equivalent.
• Franchise law expertise with FDDs and franchise agreements.
• M&A due diligence and deal structuring experience.
• Strong leadership and mentorship of a legal team.
• Ontario Bar admission and good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal leadership across SPE and portfolio companies.
• Advise on franchise law, FDDs, agreements, and regulatory compliance in Canada and the U.S.
• Negotiate and manage commercial leases across a multi-unit real estate portfolio.
• Lead legal workstreams for mergers, acquisitions, and add-on transactions.

Skills

Franchise law

M&A experience

Leadership

Contract negotiation

Commercial acumen

Education

Called to the Bar in Ontario

Law Society of Ontario - licensed to practice

Job description

Serruya Private Equity (SPE) is a private equity firm headquartered in Markham, Ontario, specializing in the acquisition and long-term ownership of multi-unit franchise and consumer brands. Our portfolio companies operate across the franchising, food and beverage, and retail sectors in Canada, the United States, and internationally.

SPE creates value across its portfolio through disciplined acquisitions, operational oversight, and strategic growth initiatives, while maintaining an active, hands-on role in the governance and legal affairs of each portfolio company.

Position Summary

Serruya Private Equity is seeking an experienced Senior General Counsel to lead the legal function across the organization and its portfolio companies.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Senior General Counsel will provide strategic legal leadership and advise on franchise matters, commercial real estate, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, compliance, and other complex commercial matters.

This position is ideal for a senior legal professional who combines strong technical legal expertise with sound commercial judgment and can operate as a trusted advisor to ownership and senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal leadership across the organization, including setting priorities, developing legal processes, directing outside counsel, and advising the Managing Director and executive team on practical, business-focused approaches to legal risk.
• Advise on franchise legal matters across the portfolio, including the preparation, review, and ongoing compliance of Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), franchise agreements, and related documentation in Canadian and U.S. jurisdictions.
• Negotiate, draft, and manage commercial lease agreements and renewals across a multi-unit, multi-brand real estate portfolio.
• Lead legal workstreams for mergers, acquisitions, and add-on transactions, including due diligence, deal structuring, purchase agreement negotiations, and post-closing integration.
• Negotiate directly with franchisees, landlords, vendors, and other counterparties on significant and sensitive matters.
• Develop and maintain corporate governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks across SPE's portfolio companies.
• Exercise sound and timely legal judgment across the range of matters arising within an active, acquisition-driven private equity portfolio.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience, including significant experience leading or serving at a senior level within an in-house legal department. Previous experience as General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel is strongly preferred.
• Direct experience in franchise law, including the preparation and review of FDDs, franchise agreements, and franchise regulatory compliance.
• Proven experience negotiating and managing commercial lease agreements, ideally across multiple locations or brands.
• Experience with M&A transactions, including due diligence, deal structuring, and purchase agreement negotiations, gained in-house, within private equity, or through a transactional legal practice, is considered an asset.
• Strong strategic and commercial orientation, with the ability to assess the broader business implications of legal matters and provide practical recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience leading a legal team or function and effectively determining which matters require direct involvement versus delegation or external counsel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex legal and commercial matters to ownership, executives, and non-legal stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to exercise sound judgment in high-pressure or sensitive situations.
• Pragmatic and commercially minded approach, with the ability to operate as a trusted advisor and dealmaker rather than solely as a technical legal resource.
• Called to the Bar in Ontario and licensed to practise law with the Law Society of Ontario, in good standing

Join Our Team

This is an opportunity to take on a senior legal leadership role within a dynamic, growth-focused private equity environment. The Senior General Counsel will work closely with ownership and senior leadership, playing an integral role in supporting strategic decisions, acquisitions, and the continued growth of our portfolio companies.

If you are a commercially minded legal leader with strong experience in franchise law, commercial real estate, and complex business matters, we encourage you to apply.

Serruya Private Equity is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.