Director, Legal Services | Directeur(rice) des services juridiques (Full-time Permanent)

Date Posted: 9/27/2024

Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Reference No.: 2024-736

Position Type: Full-time Permanent

Salary Range: $154,589.00 - $183,574.50 (salary is generally in that range)

We are an organization driven by purpose. We are passionate about serving Canadians and we are deeply committed and passionate about protecting their hard-earned money when it matters most. We live our promises and commitments every day by serving Canadians as one, and we have their best interest at heart. We strive to build an inclusive, accepting culture with commitment, determination and a bias for action.

The right challenge is waiting for you! Discover how valuable your experience can be and join our team.

The Corporation has two Directors, Legal Services, who jointly manage the Legal Services Department, with each responsible for managing their respective direct reports and direct lines of business. The Directors, Legal Services are accountable to the Chief Legal Officer (CLO) for ensuring that professional standards are met in the conduct of corporate and resolution legal work. The Director, Legal Services is required to work closely with the other Director, Legal Services and will be expected to step in should the other Director be unavailable.

Together, the Directors, Legal Services, are jointly accountable for the following:

• allocation of work among themselves and the legal team, under the direction of CLO;
• oversight of legal work, budget and administrative responsibilities, including maintenance of the corporate memory on legal work;
• making sound recommendations and for developing policies and procedures based on applicable laws and regulations and evolving best practices;
• reporting on and performance assessments of the legal work conducted by the Legal Services Department to ensure that high professional standards are maintained;
• when required, retaining, managing, the work and controlling the costs of outside counsel to ensure the effective use of funds, including assessing and reporting on the performance of external counsel;
• ensuring that the Corporation’s interests in the conduct of any legal actions by or against CDIC are protected;
• supporting the CLO in providing advice and making recommendations to the Corporation on corporate legal issues affecting CDIC, including assessing legal risk to the Corporation. This may include participating in meetings with external organizations concerned with various legislative and policy matters, which requires a comprehensive understanding of the legislation involved, including that which relates to financial institutions and the Corporation’s own policies and objectives;
• participating in the legislative drafting process and supporting the process whereby draft legislation moves through the House of Commons and the Senate;
• drafting, review, and recommended execution of all major contracts to ensure the same are in the best interest of the Corporation and are in compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements;
• being prepared to address all legal issues associated with the potential failure of a member institution, including:
• contributing, as a legal expert, to the development of CDIC’s resolution strategies and playbooks; including participating in simulations, tabletops and crisis preparedness;
• providing advice on the interpretation and application of the CDIC Act and related by-laws;
• contributing to the execution of resolution strategies for member institutions (or its elements), including conducting legal, structuring or due diligence activities in connection with the development and implementation of resolution transactions (including liquidation associated with payout of deposit insurance) or financial assistance;
• participating in estate management involving CDIC’s claim in the estate of a failed member institution and any compensation process resulting from a resolution, including general litigation claims by or against CDIC;
• ensuring compliance with statutory requirements;
• ensuring compliance with Access to Information and Privacy matters including requests for information, and responses to and Parliamentary Questions;
• supporting policy and preparedness issues domestically and internationally (Financial Stability Board, Senior Advisory Committee, International Association of Deposit Insurers);
• where required, attending Board and committee meetings and ensuring that action items pertaining to legal services arising from Board meetings are completed and/or implemented.

About you

You take pride in the work that you do and are passionate about making a difference and an impact. You face challenges head-on, are an excellent communicator and collaborator, and act with integrity.

In order to meet the challenges associated with this role, the Director, Legal Services should have a combination of the following skills:

• Knowledge, skill and mature judgment in both legal analysis and the provision of management advice, excellent drafting, negotiation and writing skills, the ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources and identify legal risks, and the ability to distill and explain complex issues to a variety of audiences;
• Sound knowledge of the legislation and the case law, which may impact CDIC and its policies, including expert knowledge of CDIC, its mandate, powers and operational requirements, and an understanding of regulatory oversight of Canada’s federally regulated deposit-taking institutions;
• Solid understanding of the financial industry, legislation and regulatory oversight applicable to CDIC’s member institutions, and the economic and policy issues affecting the Canadian financial system and how they might impact CDIC’s membership;
• Well-honed problem solving and decision-making skills;
• Proven ability to influence people and events, including the ability to resolve disputes and negotiate practical and effective solutions;
• Effective communication and presentation skills and the ability to distill and explain complex issues to a variety of audiences;
• Ability to work with a considerable degree of autonomy, manage a team, provide legal advice and make critical decisions under pressure and within tight timeframes;
• Excellent project management skills, the ability to monitor and follow up on many activities concurrently under time constraints and ability to understand and manage priorities.

Skills you bring

• Law degree and a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario;
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in a law firm, corporate counsel or in providing legal interpretations or advice on the application of legislation to a corporation or government entity;
• Experience in a management role supervising a team of professionals;
• Expertise in the following areas will be considered an asset:
• Corporate insolvency law and restructuring;
• Corporate finance or mergers and acquisitions;
• Contract and procurement law;
• Access to information and federal privacy requirements.

Must have

Language Requirements: Bilingual Imperative: Level (BBB/BBB)

Security Clearance: Eligibility to obtain a Secret-level security clearance

Sound like you?

If you are passionate about serving Canadians and see yourself as our future Director, Legal Services, please click the "apply now" button below.

Additional Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor Degree, Bachelor of Law is required

Skills

• Procurement (Supply Chain Management), Contract Law
• Soft Skills
  • Interpersonal
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Leadership

CDIC is committed to working with the best and brightest people from the broadest talent pool possible. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and will reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities during the recruitment, assessment and hiring process.