Lead Counsel - 788 EN

Join the EDC Team | Empowering Canadian Business Worldwide

At Export Development Canada (EDC), we support Canadian businesses in expanding globally. As a financial Crown corporation, we provide the financial tools, trade expertise, and risk mitigation solutions Canadian companies need to compete on the world stage.
We are seeking an experienced Lead Counsel to join our dynamic Legal Services division in Ottawa, Toronto, or Montreal.

Role Summary & Compensation

• Position Title: Lead Counsel
• Job Classification: Legal Services 19 / Legal Services 20
• Compensation & Benefits:
  
  • Legal Services 19: $112,006 – $149,341 CAD annually + performance incentive
  • Legal Services 20: $129,928 – $173,235 CAD annually + performance incentive
• Work Location: Hybrid work model (minimum 3 days/week in-office). Eligible locations include Ottawa Headquarters, or Community Hubs in Toronto and Montreal. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates.

Why Work at Export Development Canada?

• Competitive Compensation & Full Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and wellness coverage paired with a performance incentive plan.
• Work-Life Integration: Enjoy 3–4 weeks paid vacation, corporate winter closure periods, Summer Early Fridays, and No-Meeting Fridays.
• Professional Growth: Continuous learning through specialized legal training, leadership workshops, and fully funded language training.
• Inclusive & Diverse Workplace: Equity-focused culture championing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas.
• Community & Impact: Dedicated corporate social responsibility initiatives and paid volunteer days.

About the Legal Services Team

EDC’s Legal Services division is a client-centric group of approximately 30 lawyers providing specialized advice across trade finance, loans, investments, insurance, corporate procurement, and marketing.
As Lead Counsel, you will join the Lending and Investments team, specializing in corporate lending, project finance, origination, and back-office execution. You will play a vital role in deal structuring, risk mitigation, and providing high-level statutory and regulatory guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Transaction Leadership: Lead all legal aspects of complex corporate lending and project finance transactions, from structuring and negotiation to drafting and closing.
• Asset Management & Restructuring: Oversee post-closing matters, including financing product waivers, consents, and amendments.
• Legal & Regulatory Advice: Advise on corporate rights, obligations, and compliance under the Export Development Act, Financial Administration Act, and other federal statutes.
• Outside Counsel Management: Retain, direct, and supervise domestic and international outside legal counsel.
• Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify transaction risks and apply appropriate corporate risk management strategies.

Candidate Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.).
• Licensure: Active member in good standing with a Canadian provincial or territorial law society (e.g., LSO, Barreau du Québec).
• Experience:
  
  • Level 19: Minimum 7 years of relevant corporate/commercial legal experience.
  • Level 20: Minimum 10 years of relevant corporate/commercial legal experience.
• Technical Skills: Strong drafting, negotiation, risk analysis, and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications (Stand-Out Asset):

• Bilingualism: Fluency in both English and French (written and spoken).

Eligibility & Equal Opportunity

• Eligibility: Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada (Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident) and capable of meeting government security screening requirements. Internal candidates must meet the criteria in Section 2.1 of EDC's Talent Acquisition Standard.
• Employment Equity: EDC actively encourages applications from women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
• Accommodations: If you require accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact accessibility@edc.ca. All requests are kept confidential.

How to Apply

Ready to shape Canada’s impact on global trade? Click Apply Now to submit your application before November 2, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
To learn more about EDC and our mission, visit edc.ca.