Legal Counsel, General Counsel Office, Competition

Legal Counsel

General Counsel Office

Thunder Bay Campus
Full Time, Permanent

Schedule II

Competition # SCHII-22-43

Lakehead University is seeking qualified candidates for the position of a Legal Counsel. Based in picturesque Thunder Bay, the regional capital of Northwestern Ontario which is located in the center of Canada and with close proximity to the United States, this position is ideal for a collaborative service-focused lawyer who is passionate about protecting the University’s legal interests.

Thunder Bay is one of Canada’s top emerging cities. Here you will find a mix of modern city living and the best of nature – all on your doorstep. Thunder Bay provides small city affordability, big city opportunities and the bonus of a superior lifestyle. When it comes to location, nature and cost of living, Thunder Bay is one of the best places to live in Canada.

Lakehead is a comprehensive University with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. In 2022, for the third year in a row, Lakehead University was included in the top 100 of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. Lakehead is the highest ranked university in the world with under 10,000 students. Maclean’s has once again included Lakehead University among Canada’s top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in the magazine’s 2021 University Rankings.

Reporting to the Vice-President (Administration & Finance), the Legal Counsel is responsible for overseeing the Office of the General Counsel including supervision of staff, providing on-site legal and strategic advice across University portfolios and priorities to manage matters involving institutional and reputation risk. The position provides oversight on all matters related to the legal and regulatory requirements under which the University operates, and for protecting the University’s legal corporate and commercial interests. They also determines if a situation requires specialized legal expertise and, if external counsel need to be retained, supervises external counsel in such situations. The Legal Counsel works with the University Secretary on the development of policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance and manage risk. The position is a member of the University’s Senior Management Team.

The successful candidate will be an engaged and proactive leader. The ideal candidate will have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including strong decision-making and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to inspire problem solving and collaboration while anticipating the evolving and diverse needs of a dynamic public sector, post-secondary environment. Additionally:

• 
  A degree in law and eligibility to practice in the Province of Ontario and a member in good standing, or eligible to become a member, of the Law Society of Ontario
• Experience providing strategic level legal advice to senior level leaders
• Experience in a wide range of areas of the law, including: corporate/commercial law; contracts; litigation; real estate, information and privacy; human rights and harassment; and labour and employment;
• In-depth knowledge of corporate/commercial and contract law with the ability to draft, revise and review all contracts to which the University is a party including collaboration agreements, service and employment contracts, construction contracts, property agreements including commercial leases, affiliation agreements, intellectual property agreements (including licenses), research and consulting agreements, funding and contribution agreements, non-disclosure, donor agreements and financing agreements;
• Demonstrated negotiation and mediation skills, including proven ability to effectively negotiate significant agreements;
• Experience developing, interpreting, explaining, and applying policies, procedures, and precedents related to corporate and contract law to limit legal exposure and manage risk, supported by superior negotiation and communication skills ;
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Experience with both unionized and non-unionized environments

Lakehead University offers a competitive remuneration package including salary, comprehensive benefits package, life insurance, pension plan, and tuition waiver.

Interested applicants may apply by clicking on this link to a Google Form and attaching your cover letter and resume in word or PDF format. The Search Committee will begin considering potential candidates on September 12, 2022 and will continue until the position is successfully filled.

If you have any technical difficulties in accessing the link, please reach out to careers@lakeheadu.ca

We appreciate your interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be notified.

Lakehead University is committed to building and fostering a diverse and inclusive university community and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, persons from 2SLGBTQ+ and other equity-deserving groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration laws.

Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343.8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.