Director, Legal

About the Insurance Council

The Insurance Council of British Columbia is the regulatory organization that licenses and regulates the activities of over 50,000 life and general insurance agents, general insurance salespersons, insurance adjusters, and restricted travel insurance agents in British Columbia.

Why Work for the Insurance Council?

Work with a great team of people in a rewarding career that makes a difference. We’re in a downtown location with plenty of amenities nearby. The Insurance Council has a friendly and collaborative environment with a team who’s committed to protecting the public.

• We offer a comprehensive health and dental plan.
• Work-life balance.
• This position is mostly remote work enabled. The incumbent would be required to come into the office as needed.
• Professional development.
• Equitable employment opportunities

The Opportunity

The Director, Legal Services will provide strong leadership and expert legal advisory services on a broad range of organizational matters including licensee conduct, licensing, and practice; regulatory frameworks; contracts; and other matters as required. Reporting to the CEO, the Director will guide a team of legal professionals and is a member of the senior leadership team responsible for organizational oversight and strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the organization’s legal strategy, policies, and procedures in line with the overall corporate strategy.
• Provide leadership and day-to-day management of the organization’s legal staff in line with agreed objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Provide legal advice for inquiries, audits, complaints, investigations, disciplinary processes, and licensing suitability matters in accordance with legislation and Council policies.
• Support the drafting of correspondence to complainants, applicants, licensees, and others.
• Facilitate the preparation of production orders and subpoenas.
• Oversee legal support for Council’s Review Committees by coordinating cases to be presented with staff, providing legal advice and training to the committees, and facilitating the preparation of committee reports.
• Oversee legal support for Council’s Licensing Committee by coordinating cases to be considered with licensing staff, providing legal advice to the committee, and facilitating the preparation of committee reports.
• Oversee the drafting and circulation of intended decisions and orders.
• Lead the coordination and preparation for hearings including organizing and training hearing committees, engaging with counsel for all parties, updating hearing guidance documents and overseeing evidence disclosure.
• Manage the organization’s participation in Financial Services Tribunal appeals and judicial reviews.
• Prepare, review, and provide legal analysis of proposed policies, guidelines, rules, and legislation.
• Act as the organization’s Privacy Officer and oversee compliance with FOIPPA including the organization’s responses to FOI requests.
• Conduct legal research and gather information and data from various sources.
• Manage engagement of external legal counsel as required.
• Establish and maintain effective processes to ensure the timely delivery of required business documentation and foster the development of appropriate forms of standardized documentation.
• Contribute as a member of the senior management team in organizational oversight and strategy.
• Develop and manage business processes and policies in areas of responsibility including guiding, monitoring, and reporting on the quality and timeliness of service delivery.
• Develop and manage the departmental budget including staffing, expense management, and variance forecasting.
• Lead or participate in strategic projects as required.
• Provide presentations to stakeholders as a representative of the Insurance Council.
• Undertake other responsibilities as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• University Law degree and practicing member in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia
• Highly proficient in the practice of administrative and privacy law
• Knowledge of the BC judicial system and procedures
• Skilled in the rules of evidence, investigations, and presentation
• Proficient in insurance and/or financial services concepts
• Fifteen (15) years’ experience in a regulatory/insurance /financial services company (preferred) with five (5) years at a Senior Management level.
• Extensive management experience with a demonstrated proficiency in motivating and developing people
• Experience in drafting complex legal documents
• Seasoned ability to accurately interpret applicable legislation and regulations
• Proficient in MS Office desktop applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Upon hire, new employees will be placed in a starting salary between the minimum and P50 (midpoint) of the salary range. The P50 of the range represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications, and experience for the position . In some circumstances, the new employee may be eligible for compensation beyond the P50 of the salary range. Factors that influence this decision include full job knowledge, qualifications, internal equity, and experience in a similar role.