Senior Legal Counsel - Data Governance

National Bank of Canada; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & wellness program

Pension plan

Employee Share Ownership Plan

Telemedicine service

Flexible banking services

Internal mobility programs

Language training & Harvard Learning

Job summary

National Bank of Canada is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel for the Data Governance Framework and Strategy team. The role focuses on aligning data governance with regulatory requirements, and ensuring robust data management, quality, retention and destruction practices across the organization.

You will advise internal partners, translate complex regulations into practical guidance, and participate in governance forums with legal, compliance, risk and privacy teams.

Qualifications

• Law degree or equivalent legal education.
• Experience with governance, compliance, risk management or privacy.
• Ability to interpret regulatory obligations for business teams.

Responsibilities

• Create, maintain and develop the data governance strategy, policies, standards and procedures.
• Ensure governance aligns with risk, privacy, information security and responsible AI practices.
• Monitor regulations and translate requirements into actionable directions for teams.
• Advise partners on regulatory obligations related to data management, quality and retention/destruction.
• Prepare follow-ups and responses for regulatory bodies.
• Participate in governance committees with legal, compliance, risk, privacy and second-line teams.

Skills

Data Governance

Risk & Compliance

Leadership

Learning Agility

Regulatory Knowledge

Interpersonal Skills

Initiative

Teamwork

Personal Information Protection

Legal Affairs

AI & Privacy

Cybersecurity Awareness

Education

Law degree / Bar admission preferred

Job description

A career as a Senior Legal Counsel on the Data Governance Framework and Strategy team at National Bank means acting as a data governance specialist and contributing to the development, evolution and dissemination of applicable frameworks. You play a key role in aligning the data governance strategy and framework with regulatory requirements and best practises, particularly in terms of data management, quality, retention and destruction, as well as compliance and risk management.

Your job

• Create, maintain and develop the data governance strategy, policies, standards and procedures.
• Ensure data governance frameworks are consistent with risk management, privacy, information security and responsible artificial intelligence practises.
• Monitor regulations and translate the new requirements into concrete and applicable orientations for the teams concerned.
• Advise internal partners and support the interpretation of regulatory obligations related to data management, quality and retention/destruction.
• Help prepare follow‑ups, communications and responses for regulatory bodies.
• Participate in governance committees and forums in collaboration with the legal, Compliance, risk, Privacy and second line of defence teams.

Your team

The Vice-President, Protection of Personal Information, Data Governance and responsible AI, has more than 55 specialists who work agile, proactive and collaborative to seize opportunities, stay abreast of technological developments and continuously improve processes.

You report to the Senior Manager in the Data Governance sector. Our team stands out for its strategic role, multidisciplinary collaboration and its influence on governance practises across the organisation.

Our goal is to offer you maximum flexibility to promote your quality of life. This includes a hybrid work environment and a flexible and adaptable schedule.

The Bank values continuous development and internal mobility. Our personalised training programs, based on on on‑the‑job learning, help you master your profession and develop new fields of expertise. Tools such as language training, the Harvard Learning Centre and coaching and mentoring support are available to you at any time.

Prerequisites

• University education in law, compliance or a related field (being a member of the Bar is an asset)
• Significant experience in a regulated environment, particularly in governance, compliance, risk management or the protection of personal information.
• Have a good understanding of data governance principles, frameworks and practises.
• Demonstrate a solid understanding of regulatory requirements applicable to data management, quality and risk.
• Be able to interpret and explain regulatory requirements into concrete orientations for business partners.
• Comfortable evolving in a cross‑sector and complex context.

Languages: French, English

Reason to require this language: you will need to collaborate with a regulator/authority/government body outside Quebec.

Required skills: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Governance, Empathy, Governance, Risk and Compliance, Initiative, Leadership, Learning Agility, Legal Affairs, Legal Regulatory Compliance, Personal Information Protection And Electronic Documents Act, Resiliency, Teamwork

Your benefits

In addition to competitive compensation, upon hiring you’ll be eligible for a wide range of flexible benefits to help promote your wellbeing and that of your family such as:

• Health and wellness program, including many options
• Flexible group insurance
• Generous pension plan
• Employee Share Ownership Plan
• Employee and family assistance program
• Preferential banking services
• Involvement in community initiatives
• Telemedicine service
• Virtual sleep clinic

We have an offer that keeps up with trends as well as your needs and those of your family.

Our dynamic work environments and cutting‑edge collaboration tools foster a positive employee experience. We value employees’ ideas. Whether through our surveys or programs, regular feedback and ongoing communication are encouraged.

Making a bold move in a people‑first environment

We’re a bank on a human scale that stands out for its courage, entrepreneurial culture, and passion for people. Our mission is to have a positive impact on people’s lives. Our core values of partnership, agility, and empowerment inspire us, and inclusion is central to our commitments. We aim, wherever possible, to provide a barrier‑free and accessible environment to all employees.

We strive to provide accessibility measures throughout the recruitment process within the limits of our available resources. If you require accommodations, feel free to let us know during our initial conversations. We welcome all candidates! What can you bring to our team?

Join us!