Senior Legal Counsel

Urban Legal Recruitment Inc.; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RRSP program

Extended health and dental benefits

Health Care Spending Account

Personal days

Hybrid work environment

Employer-paid parking

Discretionary bonus opportunity

Professional growth and development

Opportunity for advancement

Job summary

Avmax is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to join its Calgary-based legal team. You will support commercial and transactional activities, focusing on asset acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, financing, and cross-border agreements.

You will report to the General Counsel and serve as a strategic adviser to the business, managing multiple transactions across jurisdictions and coordinating with foreign counsel as needed.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in corporate, commercial, or transactional law.
• Excellent negotiation, drafting, and contract management skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication abilities.
• Ability to lead complex negotiations and manage high-value transactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex commercial and transactional matters from structuring to closing.
• Draft, review and negotiate purchase/sale agreements, leasing, financing documents, and related paperwork.
• Provide strategic legal advice on transaction structures, risk, and commercial objectives.
• Coordinate with external counsel and advisors on cross-border transactions.
• Advise on regulatory, compliance, tax, and risk considerations for international deals.
• Develop and maintain precedent agreements and templates.

Skills

Negotiation

Drafting

Contract management

Communication

Education

LL.B. or J.D. from an accredited law school

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Urban Legal Recruitment is pleased to be conducting an exclusive search on behalf of Avmax in the recruitment of Senior Legal Counsel to join its Calgary-based legal team.

Avmax is a well-established and internationally recognized aviation organization offering a comprehensive range of aviation products and services. With operations, facilities, and business activities across the globe, Avmax has built a strong reputation within the aviation industry and provides a truly international platform for its legal team.

Reporting directly to the General Counsel, the successful candidate will play a key role in supporting Avmax's commercial and transactional activities, with a primary focus on complex asset acquisition and disposition transactions, leasing arrangements, financing matters, and cross-border commercial agreements. This is an exceptional opportunity for a commercially minded lawyer seeking exposure to sophisticated domestic and international transactions while serving as a trusted strategic advisor to the business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage complex commercial and transactional matters from initial structuring through closing and post-closing implementation.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including purchase and sale agreements, leasing arrangements, financing documents, assignments, novations, and related ancillary documentation.
• Provide strategic legal advice to business and finance teams regarding transaction structures, risk mitigation, and commercial objectives.
• Manage multiple concurrent transactions across various jurisdictions while ensuring efficient execution and successful completion.
• Coordinate with external counsel and advisors in Canada and internationally on cross-border transactions and jurisdiction-specific legal matters.
• Advise on regulatory, compliance, tax, and risk-related considerations associated with international commercial transactions.
• Support interactions with regulatory authorities and assist with compliance requirements relating to registrations, licensing, and operational matters.
• Develop and maintain precedent agreements, transaction templates, and internal processes to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and commercial risks while providing practical, business-focused solutions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including KYC, sanctions, and related due diligence obligations.
• Support the organization in managing disputes and legal proceedings arising from commercial or transactional matters.
• Ensure the organization's operations remain compliant with applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to legal support staff and assist with workflow management within the legal department.
• Retain and manage external legal counsel and advisors as required.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, counterparties, financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and external advisors.

Qualifications:

• LL.B. or J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta (or eligibility for admission).
• Minimum 5+ years of experience practicing corporate, commercial, or transactional law.
• Significant experience leading sophisticated purchase and sale, leasing, financing, or other complex commercial transactions.
• Strong commercial acumen with exceptional negotiation, drafting, and contract management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex negotiations and manage high-value transactions.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, planning, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• High degree of professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, and sound business judgment.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple competing priorities.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Valid Canadian passport and willingness to travel occasionally, as required.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in aviation, transportation, infrastructure, equipment leasing, asset-based financing, or similar industries.
• Significant experience managing purchase and sale transactions, leasing arrangements, financing transactions, or structured commercial transactions.
• Experience managing international transactions and coordinating with foreign counsel across multiple jurisdictions.
• Experience with leasing, financing, structured transactions, or other complex commercial arrangements.
• Familiarity with emerging legal technologies and AI-assisted legal tools is considered an asset.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Beyond the opportunity to work on sophisticated commercial transactions with an international reach, Avmax offers an excellent compensation and benefits package together with a supportive and collaborative culture.

Highlights include:

• RRSP program
• Extended health and dental benefits
• Health Care Spending Account
• Personal days
• Hybrid work environment (one work-from-home day per week)
• Employer-paid parking
• Discretionary bonus opportunity
• Professional growth and development incentives
• Opportunity for advancement

This is an outstanding opportunity for a lawyer who is looking to build a long-term career with a respected global aviation company while enjoying meaningful work, a high degree of autonomy, and excellent exposure to senior business leaders.

Please note, only candidates already residing in Calgary or those with a demonstrated commitment to relocating to Calgary will be considered.