Senior Legal Counsel - Lending

Peoples Group; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Profit sharing

RRSP matching

Benefits from day one

Generous paid time off

Well-being program

Job summary

Peoples Group, a Canadian financial services company with offices in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto, seeks a Senior Legal Counsel - Lending. This role partners with the lending teams to deliver pragmatic, risk‑based legal guidance across lending products and operations, managing complex matters from inception to completion.

The successful candidate will balance regulatory risk with business objectives, support responsible growth, and contribute to a culture of compliance within a dynamic

Qualifications

• LL.B. or J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with a Canadian provincial bar association.
• 8+ years of legal experience within commercial real estate finance or the broader financial services industry.
• Experience in private practice and in-house environments preferred.
• Experience advising on construction lending, commercial mortgage lending, and complex title matters.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on loan agreements, security documents, and related documentation.
• Provide legal guidance on loan origination, servicing, product development, and operations.
• Assess regulatory developments with regulatory and compliance stakeholders.
• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks in lending activities.
• Manage complex legal files independently with timelines and stakeholder expectations.
• Deliver practical, solution‑oriented legal advice that supports business objectives.
• Coordinate with external counsel when specialized expertise is required.
• Build strong relationships with business leaders, lending teams, external counsel, and advisors.

Skills

Analytical skills

Business guidance

Lending documentation

Communication skills

Independent workload

Relationship building

Problem solving

Professionalism & integrity

Education

LL.B. or J.D.

Job description

• Construction lending

We are hiring for this position out of our Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary offices. Successful candidates who apply outside of these areas will be expected to relocate and reside in a location that is within a commutable distance.

About The Role

The Senior Legal Counsel - Lending is a key member of the in-house legal team and a strategic partner to the lending business. This role provides pragmatic, risk-based, and commercially focused legal advice across lending products and operations while independently managing complex legal matters from inception to completion.

Working closely with business leaders and lending teams, the successful candidate will balance legal and regulatory risk with business objectives to support responsible growth, sound decision-making, and a strong culture of compliance. This is an opportunity to play a meaningful role in shaping lending initiatives within a dynamic and growing financial services organization.

About The Day-to-day

• Draft, review, negotiate, and advise on loan agreements, commitment letters, security documents, syndicated loan agreements, mortgage servicing agreements, and related documentation.
• Provide legal guidance to lending teams on loan origination, servicing activities, product development, and operational matters.
• Partner with regulatory legal and compliance stakeholders to assess the impact of emerging legislation and regulatory developments.
• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks associated with lending activities.
• Manage complex legal files independently, ensuring priorities, timelines, and stakeholder expectations are met.
• Deliver practical, solution-oriented legal advice that supports business objectives while protecting the organization.
• Engage and oversee external legal counsel when specialized expertise is required.
• Build effective relationships with business leaders, lending teams, external counsel, and professional advisors.

About The Qualifications

• LL.B. or J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Active membership in good standing with a Canadian provincial bar association.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian banking, lending, and financial services regulatory requirements.
• 8+ years of legal experience within commercial real estate finance or the broader financial services industry.
• Experience gained through a combination of private practice and in-house legal environments is preferred.
• Significant experience advising on commercial real estate financing transactions, including:
  • Construction lending
  • Commercial mortgage lending
  • Complex title and priority matters
  • Commercial title insurance
  • Established relationships within the Canadian commercial real estate legal community are considered an asset.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to provide thoughtful, risk-based legal advice.
• Ability to translate complex legal matters into practical business guidance.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating sophisticated lending and security documentation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and advise non-legal stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage a demanding workload independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills.
• Proactive, innovative, and solution-oriented approach to problem-solving.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and integrity when handling confidential matters.

About Us

Peoples Group is a trusted financial services company for the innovators at the forefront of Canada's economic future. With offices in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto, we are driving change by working alongside challenger banks, fintechs, brokers, and merchants to foster a dynamic and competitive financial ecosystem.

Our culture is built on four core behaviors: Grit to Grow, Connect to Collaborate, Putting Clients First, and Owning the Outcome. We believe people do not simply choose a company to work for—they choose a company that makes a positive impact in the lives of Canadians. Above all, we value people, build meaningful relationships, focus on individual strengths, and approach our work with passion.

About The Work Environment

Peoples Group offers a flexible and hybrid work environment. In this role you will work a combination of in-office and remotely from home. Typically, you'll be working regular business hours, Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm with flexibility around start/end times.

Successful candidates must reside within a commutable distance of one of our offices located in Toronto, Vancouver, or Calgary.

We Offer

• A hybrid work environment, enabling you to balance your personal and professional life seamlessly.
• Competitive salaries, profit sharing, RRSP matching and benefits from day one.
• Generous paid time off to help achieve a healthy work-life balance.
• A strengths-based approach, ensuring we work together more effectively.
• A commitment to your well-being in five key areas: Financial, Physical, Social, Career, and Community.

Hiring Process

If your application is selected, you will be invited for a first interview with one of our Talent Acquisition Business Partners. Depending on the role, interviews may be conducted virtually or in-person. The hiring team will communicate any in-person requirements throughout the process.

Compensation

Peoples Group is pleased to offer employees a competitive annual salary plus a discretionary profit share opportunity. Salary for this position will vary between $180,000 and $220,000, plus participation in Peoples Group incentive programs. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, and qualifications.

Note

This job posting is for an existing vacancy. Peoples Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest; however, only those applicants under consideration will be contacted.

We value and celebrate individuality while fostering an inclusive workplace for everyone. If there's any way we can support or accommodate you during the selection process, please don't hesitate to let us know.