Senior Director, Legal Services

Canada Lands Company is a self-financing federal Crown corporation specializing in real estate and development, and attractions management. For more than 25 years, the company has developed some of the most sought-after communities in Canada while serving as the innovative steward of some of the country’s most iconic attractions: the CN Tower and Downsview Park in Toronto, the Montréal Science Centre and the Old Port of Montréal.

The Company reports to the Parliament of Canada through the minister of Public Services and Procurement.

Short Summary

The Senior Director, Legal Services (“SDLS”) provides legal advisory services to Canada Lands Company Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). The SDLS shall support the Chief Legal Officer & Senior Vice President, Corporate Governance (“CLO”) and be responsible for all aspects of the provision of legal services to the Company’s Real Estate and Acquisitions & Business Development Teams. The SDLS shall also be responsible for managing and mentoring one of the Legal Counsels within the Legal Team.

Job Description

LEGAL DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP

• Jointly manages and supervises the operations of the Legal Department with the other SDLS.
• Supervises Legal Counsel in the performance of their duties, including all legal services requests; motivates and directs their effort; and provides leadership and direction on their projects.
• Ensures compliance with departmental service level expectations.
• Works with the CLO to develop and implement business objectives, policies and strategic pillars to ensure compliance with federal, provincial, and local laws and all contractual relationships.
• Assists in the development of the departmental budget and strategic plan.
• Approves legal invoices before processing by the Company.
• Develops, conducts and assists with developing training and mentorship programs for the Legal Department’s Legal Counsel and students.

LEGAL MATTERS

• Although the SDLS supports the Company as a whole, the primary areas of focus for this particular SLC role are the following: (i) supporting the Acquisitions & Business Development Team and the Real Estate Team with all of their non-litigation legal needs, including, but not limited to, acquisitions, sales, servicing agreements, development agreements, easements, licenses, and leases; and (ii) participating as the Legal representative on the Company’s Housing Innovation Team.
• Prepares documents, reports, recommendations, précis or other material to be submitted to the Company’s Senior Management Team or Board of Directors.
• Directs and/or actively participates in specific projects where issues of a complex or strategic nature require the experience or expertise of the SDLS. This may include strategizing and negotiating major arrangements with respect to municipal or other regulatory approvals (e.g. planning, zoning, environmental, heritage, servicing), real estate transactions (e.g. agreements of purchase and sale, leases, mortgages, financing), and service contracts (e.g. construction, infrastructure).
• Analyzes, interprets, advises and provides recommendations on legal matters affecting the Company.
• Directs and manages external counsel on multiple projects/files making recommendations, as necessary, to the CLO and affected member(s) of the Senior Management Team.
• Provides general legal advice to various client departments regarding real estate law, business law, intellectual property, labour and employment, and other commercial legal issues.
• Reviews and evaluates Company agreements to protect the Company’s interests and to determine compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and Company policies.
• Works with business teams in the preparation of template documents and contracts, such as RFPs.
• Works on special projects in support of the Legal Team, as assigned from time to time.
• Negotiates and drafts contracts and commercial agreements.
• Assists in the creation, implementation and enforcement of corporate policies and procedures.
• Responsible for providing ethical and conflict of interest advice to employees.
• Assists with the handling and processing of Access to Information and Privacy Act requests.
• Assists with other legal or corporate secretarial functions as may be assigned by the CLO from time to time.
• Provides training to Company employees regarding legislative requirements and Company policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Law Degree required.
• Must be licensed to practice law in Canada.
• At least seven years of legal experience with a focus on commercial real estate (ideally within a law firm environment, but prior in-house experience with a commercial real estate focus will be considered).
• Knowledge of computer skills, including electronic legal research.
• Industry knowledge/experience is preferred.