Strategic Legal Counsel and Practice Lead, Information Security

IA Financial Services; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible group insurance

Competitive pension plan

Share purchase plan

Vacation days

Telemedicine

Employee and family assistance program

Ergonomic furniture program

Performance bonus

Discounts on iA products

Job summary

IA Financial Services seeks a Strategic Legal Counsel and Practice Lead in information security to guide and grow our cybersecurity practice across the organization. The role requires a law degree, bar admission, and 15+ years of relevant experience, with strong strategic thinking and leadership.

You will advise on information security, privacy, contracts, and technology, develop policies, monitor regulatory changes, and collaborate with internal teams and external counsel to harmonize Canadian

Qualifications

• Holds a law degree (LL.B.) and is a member in good standing of a provincial bar.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant information security experience.
• Experience in contracts and procurement, privacy, or innovation/technology.
• Strong strategic thinking, business acumen, and leadership.
• Excellent English; advanced French; ability to harmonize Canadian and U.S. approaches.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on information security, cybersecurity, and incident management.
• Lead legal support in information security matters with internal teams and external counsel.
• Develop, update, and improve policies, standards, governance frameworks, and practices.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and market developments and share them across the organization.
• Advance the information security practice within Legal Services and promote knowledge sharing.
• Collaborate with other practice leads to ensure integrated, consistent legal services across the organization.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Business acumen

Influence

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Education

LL.B. or law degree

Job description

Build the future with us

The Legal Services team is looking for a Strategic Legal Counsel and Practice Lead in information security (including cybersecurity), with a collaborative mindset, strong strategic acumen, and a demonstrated ability to build, advance, and effectively position this expertise within the organization. This role will be instrumental in elevating and advancing our practice, while keeping the team and the organization at the forefront of developments in this field. The successful candidate will be called upon to:

• Act as a key resource within Legal Services, as well as with our partners and Senior Management
• Provide strategic legal advice on information security matters across all areas of the organization to guide key decision-making and support the organization's vision in a context of innovation and transformation
• Contribute to and take ownership of, based on their professional experience and expertise, various matters handled by the Legal Services Transversal Affairs team, whether in contracts and procurement, privacy and solicitation rules, or innovation and technology

What you will accomplish with us

• Provide strategic legal advice on information security, cybersecurity, and incident management to support the organization's decision-making
• Provide, lead, and coordinate legal support in matters related to information security, such as incident management, cybersecurity, fraud, and data protection, in collaboration with internal teams, Senior Management, and external counsel
• Act as legal counsel, based on your professional experience and expertise, in one or more of the Transversal Affairs team's practice areas, whether in contracts and procurement, privacy and solicitation rules, or innovation and technology
• Contribute to the development, updating, and continuous improvement of policies, standards, governance frameworks, and organizational practices related to your areas of expertise
• Proactively monitor legislative, regulatory, and market practice developments, and share them within the organization
• Advance the information security practice within Legal Services by developing the knowledge, tools, positions, and best practices needed to provide value-added support to business partners
• Act as a reference resource for internal teams, participate in communities of practice, and promote knowledge sharing and skills development
• Work closely with other practice leads and experts to ensure an integrated and consistent approach to legal services across the organization
• Participate in various forums, working groups, and industry networks related to your areas of expertise.

What could accelerate your success in this role

• Holds a law degree (LL.B.), is a member in good standing of a provincial bar, and has a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience related to information security and in one of the following areas: contracts and procurement, privacy and solicitation rules, or innovation and technology
• Is recognized for strategic thinking, strong business acumen, and the ability to tackle complex issues head‑on
• Has a proven ability to influence, bring people together, and build trusted relationships at all levels of the organization
• Has a strong network of industry contacts to identify and stay current on emerging trends and market practices
• Demonstrates natural leadership, excellent organizational skills, and a high degree of autonomy
• Stands out for interpersonal skills, ability to work as part of a team, and professional rigor
• Has an advanced level of English, as the role requires interacting with colleagues (including managers and executives), clients, and various professionals across offices in Canada and the United States. As it is essential that the person hired be committed to harmonizing our Canadian and American approaches, this is an essential requirement.
• Has an intermediate to advanced level of French, as the team is predominantly French‑speaking and meetings and daily interactions are conducted primarily in French.

Why you will enjoy working with us

• A work environment where learning and development go hand‑in‑hand with a collective pursuit of excellence;
• Artificial intelligence is in everyone's hands, helping you increase your personal efficiency and contributing to the organization's growth.
• A healthy, safe, equitable, and inclusive environment where everyone can grow and contribute freely;
• The ability to work in a hybrid environment supported by flexibility and access to inspiring and innovative workspaces.

Competitive benefits

• Flexible group insurance
• Competitive pension plan
• Share purchase plan
• Vacation, wellness and personal development days
• Telemedicine
• Employee and family assistance program
• Ergonomic furniture program
• Performance bonus
• Discounts on iA products
• And much more!

The typical hiring range for this position is 165 000$