Vice President General Counsel

Chartwell Retirement Residences; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retirement community provider based in Toronto seeks a seasoned legal professional to lead their legal strategies and provide oversight on various commercial transactions. The ideal candidate will possess an LL.B., a minimum of 10 years of legal experience, and strong analytical and negotiation skills. Responsibilities include drafting agreements, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, and managing departmental budgets. This role offers a dynamic environment where you can contribute to not only company growth but also to the wellbeing of residents.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience in private practice and in-house counsel.
• Member in good standing of the Ontario Bar or another Canadian provincial bar.
• Strong judgment and risk-assessment capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal strategies for high-value transactions.
• Provide oversight on commercial real estate dealings.
• Draft and review various legal agreements.
• Ensure compliance with laws and corporate standards.
• Manage departmental operations and budgets.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Contract management

Relationship-building

Problem-solving

Education

LL.B. from a Canadian Bar Association-accredited law school

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Job Description

Lead the development and execution of legal strategies, including oversight of high-value and high-risk commercial transactions.

Provide legal oversight on complex commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, financings, and development projects.

Draft, negotiate, and / or review a wide range of agreements including purchase and sale agreements, lease agreements, development agreements, property management contracts, service agreements, vendor agreements and NDAs.

Partner with internal stakeholders to develop effective negotiation strategies that align with corporate objectives and legal requirements.

Ensure all business activities comply with applicable laws, corporate standards, and codes of conduct.

Review internal and external communications to identify legal or business risks and provide guidance on mitigation.

Provide oversight of corporate and securities compliance and corporate governance activities, including support for board and committee meetings, unitholder matters and public filings.

Lead equity and debt finance issuances.

Provide risk-related reporting to senior leadership and the Board.

Collaborate with the Tax team and external counsel on corporate structuring opportunities and legal requirements.

Corporate & Commercial Leadership

Lead the development and execution of legal strategies, including oversight of high-value and high-risk commercial transactions.

Provide legal oversight on complex commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, financings, and development projects.

Draft, negotiate, and / or review a wide range of agreements including purchase and sale agreements, lease agreements, development agreements, property management contracts, service agreements, vendor agreements and NDAs.

Partner with internal stakeholders to develop effective negotiation strategies that align with corporate objectives and legal requirements.

Risk Management & Governance

Ensure all business activities comply with applicable laws, corporate standards, and codes of conduct.

Review internal and external communications to identify legal or business risks and provide guidance on mitigation.

Provide oversight of corporate and securities compliance and corporate governance activities, including support for board and committee meetings, unitholder matters and public filings.

Lead equity and debt finance issuances.

Provide risk-related reporting to senior leadership and the Board.

Collaborate with the Tax team and external counsel on corporate structuring opportunities and legal requirements.

Employment & Labour Relations

Partner with stakeholders for employment-related strategy development.

Provide legal support on employment law, privacy and risk management issues as needed.

Litigation & Case Management

Provide support to operations teams on a wide variety of legal matters that arise related to the operation of seniors housing in multiple jurisdictions.

Manage or oversee litigation matters, including insured and uninsured litigation. Provide oversight to the insurance renewal process and other insurance related matters.

Provide legal guidance on resident, tenant, and family-related matters.

Develop strategies to manage and minimize legal costs while maintaining effective external legal partnerships.

Regulatory Compliance & Policy

Collaborate with internal teams and external counsel to ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies related to real estate and operations.

Provide leadership on privacy legislation and data protection matters for residents and employees.

Oversee records management and retention practices in compliance with legislative requirements.

Monitor legal and regulatory developments, advising leadership on impacts and required actions.

Review and ensure organizational policies and procedures remain legally compliant.

Develop and deliver legal education and training programs to support compliance and risk awareness.

People & Department Leadership

Lead, develop, and engage the Legal team through effective recruitment, performance management, coaching, and recognition.

Manage departmental operations, budgets, and financial planning to support organizational priorities.

Qualifications

Education

LL.B. or equivalent degree from a Canadian Bar Association–accredited law school.

Experience

Minimum of 10 years of legal experience in private practice and / or in-house counsel roles.

Member in good standing of the Ontario Bar or another Canadian provincial bar.

Skills & Abilities

Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex issues and provide clear legal opinions.

Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and external stakeholders.

Advanced negotiation, drafting, and contract management expertise.

Demonstrated ability to develop and execute legal strategies aligned with business objectives.

Sound judgment and strong risk-assessment capabilities.

Ability to propose practical, innovative legal solutions that support business outcomes.

Strong relationship-building skills across business units and governance levels.

Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

French language skills are an asset.

About Us

At Chartwell, we’re all about Making People’s Lives BETTER : the lives of our residents and their families, and the lives of our employees. Join an exceptional group of diverse, inspiring, and caring people who are empowered to provide personalized, human experiences for our residents and staff through the connections they make every day within our communities.

Chartwell’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity is a commitment to hiring people whose skills and abilities contribute the most to the success of the organization and who reflect the communities in which we live and work. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from a wide range of qualified candidates, including people with disabilities. If you have questions or require assistance with the application process, please email [e-mail] or call 1-888-663-6448.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

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