Vice President, Legal and General Counsel

The MEARIE Group; Sarnia; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Sarnia is seeking a Vice President, Legal and General Counsel to lead strategic change and provide comprehensive legal services. The role involves collaboration with stakeholders, managing legal matters, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate will have extensive legal experience, strong leadership skills, and the ability to navigate complex legal environments. This position offers an opportunity to shape the company's legal strategy while fostering a culture of compliance and innovation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years post-call experience as in-house counsel or lawyer.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead change to enable success through innovation and efficiency.
• Provide full range of legal services including Corporate Law and contracts.
• Support and advise on regulatory issues and identify risks.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical

Decision-Making

Interpersonal

Education

LLB or JD degree

Job description

Vice President, Legal and General Counsel

The Bluewater Power Group of Companies is headquartered in Sarnia Ontario. The founding member, Bluewater Power, distributes power to approximately 40,000 customers in six Sarnia-Lambton communities. The Group of Companies also includes the following independent market driven private Corporations: Electek Power Services Inc., Bluewater Power Services Corporation, Bluewater Power Renewable Energy Inc., and Bluewater Regional Networks Inc.

The Vice President, Legal and General Counsel is expected to lead dynamic change both internally and externally through strategic advice and the evaluation of opportunities and risks, including the evaluation of new business ventures and the provision of expertise in the maximization of shareholder and community value. The position works closely with local stakeholders, the business community, other utilities, government, and its agencies.

The position provides a full range of legal services to the Bluewater Power Group of Companies reporting to the President and CEO.

Job Duties:

Leadership

• Lead change to enable success through innovation, quality, and efficiency
• Participate in industry and legal forums, consultations, and other activities to ensure compliance and adherence to regulations and identify risks and opportunities to the Corporation
• Active involvement with the Board of Directors
• Pursue, support and actively be involved in new revenue opportunities and other opportunities
• Foster and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and promote a strong culture of both innovation and compliance

Strategic Direction

• Provide vision, leadership, expertise and direction in formulating strategies, programs and policies for the company in support of the attainment of the corporate strategic plans
• Help create, build, and maintain a positive team culture and work environment

General Counsel

• Provide full range of legal services including all matters related to Corporate Law, contracts, legislation (municipal, provincial and federal), privacy, real estate, insurance, regulatory, and other legal matters as required
• Represent the Company in legal proceedings
• Provide guidance for all departments the help ensure compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, and codes
• Oversee insurance program and ensure risk management is at the forefront of decisions
• Key participant in external stakeholder communications, ensuring clear and consistent messaging across all programs and communications platforms.
• Act as Chief Privacy Officer and manage privacy program for the organization

Regulatory

• Support and advise on regulatory issues, while identifying and mitigating risks
• Key participation with the regulatory team to proactively identify emerging risks, industry trends, changes in regulatory requirements and current events
• Participate in industry forums, consultations and other activities within the energy sector to ensure compliance and adherence to regulations and to identify risks and opportunities
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• LLB or JD degree from a recognized university and is a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario
• A minimum of ten (10) years post-call experience as in-house counsel or as a lawyer in private practice specializing in Corporate/Commercial, Administrative/Regulatory, Environmental and Litigation Law
• Strong knowledge of the relevant legislation, regulations, standards and codes;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead, influence, motivate and mentor employees
• Demonstrated ability to understand financial statements and make sound business decisions
• Experience managing teams in a unionized environment
• Superior relationship building skills with strong interpersonal abilities
• Well-developed analytical, organizational, technical, communication and decision-making skills
• Ability to work in an environment that is fast paced, while being able to prioritize multiple, often competing priorities with a positive attitude
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Superior strategic planning skills, with the ability to critically analyze complex information and evaluate the long-term impact and risks of decisions

Interested, qualified applicants are invited to submit their resume detailing their experience and accomplishments by 4:00 pm, Thursday, May 29, 2025 to:

Bluewater Power

Human Resources Department

P.O. Box 2140

855 Confederation Street

Sarnia, Ontario N7T 7L6

or email: [e-mail]

Include in the subject line: Vice President, Legal and General Counsel

Appropriate accommodations will be provided upon request throughout the hiring process as required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The successful candidate must complete a criminal record check, education verification, and a credit bureau inquiry prior to commencing employment.

We thank you in advance for your interest in Bluewater Power, however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.