Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary – RFA Bank of Canada
Date: October 22, 2024
Location: Toronto, ON
Company: RFA Bank of Canada
Job Type: Permanent

About RFA
Founded in 1996, RFA (Realty Financial Advisors) is a leading Canadian-owned real estate firm. Through RFA Bank of Canada and RFA Mortgage Corporation, RFA offers mortgage brokers a complete range of Prime and Alternative mortgage solutions.
RFA Bank of Canada, a division of RFA (Realty Financial Advisors), is a federally regulated Schedule I Bank. Our goal is to be a long-term leader in the residential lending market by offering more than just competitive rates and compensation. At RFA Bank of Canada, we focus on delivering a unique value proposition in the Alternative mortgage space, committed to innovation and exceptional service to meet a diverse range of borrower needs.
The Opportunity
We’re looking to fill a Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary position at RFA Bank of Canada!
In this role, the Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary is responsible for all legal issues affecting RFA Bank of Canada (RFA), ensuring RFA always operates within the law. This role is a key member of RFA’s Senior Management and also serves as RFA’s Corporate Secretary. The General Counsel will consult with and retain outside counsel as needed for litigation, and other specialized matters.
Core Responsibilities
As the Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary you will:

General Counsel:

• Provide legal oversight, solutions-oriented guidance and recommendations to stakeholders and Senior Management on all legal matters affecting RFA.
• Review and negotiate RFA contracts.
• Ensure the legal rights of RFA are protected, its legal obligations and potential exposures and risks are well defined and understood by management, and that RFA complies with applicable laws and regulations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and support for business units and provide appropriate guidance and advice as necessary.
• Advise on internal governance and corporate policies from a legal and regulatory perspective.
• Craft solutions to legal and regulatory issues in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Identify proactive solutions that will eliminate or mitigate legal and/or regulatory risks.
• Keep abreast of legislative changes that may affect RFA.

Corporate Secretary:

• Act as RFA’s Corporate Secretary.
• Advise the board of directors and its committees on legal and regulatory matters, including corporate governance.

Senior Management:

• Manage to a budget and minimize unnecessary outside counsel spend.
• As a member of Senior Management, participate in management committees and working group teams.

People Management:

• Motivate and coach team members to assist them in exceeding their objectives.
• Develop staffing plans anticipating short-, medium- and long-term needs.
• Lead and participate in annual performance reviews, addressing areas of strength and improvement.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• Degree in Law (LLB or JD); and license to practice law in relevant jurisdiction.
• Member of the Ontario Bar Association.
• 10+ years’ work experience in a regulated Financial Institution in Canada, with 5+ years in a leadership role, preferably banking focused.
• Securities, regulatory and corporate governance experience.
• Contract drafting and negotiation, particularly outsourced services agreements and SaaS and cloud-based software licensing agreements.
• Corporate secretary experience.
• Broad legal subject matter knowledge.

What Sets You Apart

• Base decision-making process on ethics and integrity.
• Deal with complex, significant matters in multiple disciplines with competing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, along with the ability to communicate effectively with others at all levels of the organization.
• Strong negotiating skills with both legal and financial/commercial issues.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong relationships within the organization's executive team and across all businesses.
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision.

What We Offer at RFA
Along with a strong work culture, RFA offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Health & Dental Care
• Vision Care
• RRSP Match
• Health & Wellness Spend
• Vacation & Personal Days
• Hybrid working environment

Ready to take the next step?
If this opportunity excites you and aligns with your skills and aspirations, we’d love to hear about how you can contribute to our team at RFA.
Accessibility
Accommodation is available upon request for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise us of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.