Senior Policy Counsel

CIRO / OCRI; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 137,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Competitive base salary

Performance-based bonus

Health benefits

Pension plan

Paid time off

Continuing development

Job summary

CIRO, the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization, seeks a Senior Policy Counsel to shape market integrity rules and lead policy initiatives. You will contribute to CIRO's leadership in Canadian market structure, drafting policy, and liaising with regulators across domestic and international contexts.

The role requires a law degree and bar admission, 5–10 years in relevant roles, and strong writing and leadership capabilities in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor or equivalent law degree with bar admission in good standing.
• 5–10 years’ experience in private practice, regulatory, or in-house securities matters.
• Experience in policy development and project leadership.
• Completion of securities courses would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and draft policy on market integrity matters based on research and consultation.
• Liaise with Canadian securities regulators on rules development and approvals.
• Analyze market structure developments domestically and internationally.
• Represent CIRO at events and liaise with stakeholders and regulators.
• Support CIRO divisions with timely policy interpretations and exemptions.

Skills

Strong writing

Analytical skills

Communication

Independence

Attention to detail

Thought leadership

Market structure knowledge

US markets knowledge

Securities knowledge

Education

Law degree

Bar admission (Canada)

Job description

As a self‑regulatory organization, the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) is committed to setting high regulatory standards for the investment industry, safeguarding investors, and supporting the integrity of Canada’s capital markets.

Reporting to the Director, Market Regulation Policy, the Senior Policy Counsel is a member of the Market Regulation Policy Team. The Senior Policy Counsel will contribute to the development and implementation of CIRO's market integrity rules and will play a key part in CIRO's leadership role in the area of Canadian market structure.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and draft new and revised policy based on thorough research, analysis and consultation focused on market integrity matters
• Liaise with the Canadian Securities Administrators in regards to ongoing policy initiatives, rules development and regulatory approvals of CIRO rule amendments
• Review, research and analyze domestic and international market structure developments, including changes in the operations of Canadian marketplaces
• Represent CIRO at various events, including participation in advisory committee meetings, as well as in meetings with other internal/external stakeholders and other securities regulators
• Provide support to other CIRO divisions in a time‑effective manner, including Surveillance, Trading Conduct Compliance, Trading Review and Analysis, Investigations and Enforcement
• Assist in the administration of exemptions and interpretations of UMIR to participants in a time‑effective manner

Education & Experience

• Law Degree
• Member, in good standing, of the Bar in one or more Canadian jurisdictions
• 5–10 years’ experience in private practice or in a regulatory or in‑house position focusing on securities‑related issues
• Experience with policy development and implementation
• Experience in leading projects
• Completion of one or more of the Canadian Securities Course, Partners, Directors and Senior Officers Course, and Trader Training Course would be an asset

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong writing, analytical and communication skills
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team
• Attention to detail
• Thought leadership
• Extensive knowledge of market structure and marketplace operations
• Knowledge of international markets, especially the U.S.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • trading practices of the securities industry, including equity, debt and derivatives markets
  • Universal Market Integrity Rules and CIRO Dealer Member Rules
  • applicable securities legislation
  • corporate legislation

Benefits

• Competitive base salary in alignment with market
• Salary range: $137,000 – $147,000
• Performance based bonus
• Hybrid work environment
• Employer paid Health Benefits and Spending Account that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs as of day one
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment
• Paid flex days and sick days
• Vacation days
• Maternity Leave Of Absence/Paternity Leave Of Absence top up
• Paid continuous learning and continuing development including designations
• Asterisked offerings are not applicable to contracts

EEO Statement

CIRO is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA). CIRO will provide accommodation to job applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Should you require accommodation, please contact Human Resources. We are committed to creating an inclusive and barrier‑free recruitment and selection process across Canada. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and are dedicated to providing accommodations upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the recruitment process, in accordance with applicable human rights and accessibility legislation.