Chief Legal Officer in Vancouver, Canada
**This opportunity has been filled and is now closed. Please visit our job board to view our current opportunities.**
Our client, Vancouver City Savings Credit Union (Vancity), is a globally recognized, purpose-driven credit union committed to transforming the economy by placing people and the planet at the core. Vancity, established in 1946, is Canada’s largest community credit union, with over $35 billion in assets under administration and 560,000 members. Vancity operates on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw peoples.
Vancity sees itself, its 2,500+ staff, and its members as a financial force for change, working together for a fair and clean world. The organization is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Vancity is also recognized as Canada’s largest private sector Living Wage Employer and has been consistently named one of the Top Employers in Canada.
This is a rare opportunity for an innovative, purpose-driven executive to lead one of the most prominent, values-based, and high-profile financial organizations in Canada.
Job Description – Chief Legal Officer
Vancity is seeking a well-rounded Chief Legal Officer (CLO) to join its executive team. The CLO will lead and manage Vancity’s legal team, provide legal advice to all functional areas of Vancity, and support innovative strategies to establish Vancity as a financial services leader in BC and across Canada. This role involves overseeing several regulated entities, including the credit union, Vancity Community Investment Bank, Vancity Investment Management Corporation, and other subsidiaries.
As the preferred candidate, you will have at least ten years of corporate commercial law experience, preferably in a financial institution or related industry, and a deep understanding of operating in a highly regulated environment. You must have excellent leadership skills, a demonstrated track record of managing a team effectively, and strong business acumen.
Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities
- Provide legal advice and oversight for major transactions, asset acquisitions, and dispositions.
- Oversee the provision of legal advice to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
- Manage external legal expenditures and foster relationships with outside counsel.
- Advise on the development of contracts with vendors, consultants, and other outside parties.
- Manage facilities and procurement matters.
- Provide guidance and review legal analyses from other lawyers.
- Advise the Executive on corporate structure, transactions, and regulatory matters.
- Oversee management of disputes, claims, and litigation.
- Manage employment and labour legal matters.
- Strengthen relationships with key stakeholders by providing proactive, solution-oriented advice.
- Oversee newly added real estate and procurement functions, building a unified team under the CLO.
Education and Professional Skills/Knowledge
- LL.B. or J.D. degree (or equivalent) and good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia.
- 10+ years of corporate/commercial law experience, preferably in a financial institution or related industry.
- Significant experience drafting, reviewing, and the negotiation of commercial agreements and contracts, particularly technology procurement contracts.
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing pro-active legal risk mitigation strategies and business initiatives.
- An executive level understanding of good corporate governance and a capacity to provide the Board and its committees with advice as to the legal dimensions of business challenges.
- M&A experience and a track record of expediting such transactions successfully.
The base compensation for this role ranges from $200,000 to $300,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
This is an exclusive search.
The Counsel Network, now part of Caldwell is committed to building a diverse legal community through our inclusive business and recruitment practices. We value diversity of experience, expertise, and background, and strive to eliminate barriers historically encountered by marginalized groups. We recognize that an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce benefits and enriches both the legal profession and the greater community.
For more information, contact:
403.537.5672
604.629.7149
403.444.1763
416.317.1610
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