Legal Counsel

Payments Canada’s purpose is to make payments easier, smarter and safer for all Canadians. We care deeply about our employees’ well-being and are committed to providing a flexible, hybrid work environment that supports in-person connection and remote work. 

|Get to Know Us

We are a unique organization situated at the centre of Canada’s payments ecosystem. We own and operate payment systems that process hundreds of billions of dollars worth of payment transactions every business day. We convene ecosystem participants to discuss their multiple and diverse interests and ideas, and to navigate industry-level challenges. We adhere to a set of values that in themselves are tensions: Inspire Trust, Build Community and Enable Change. 

Payments Canada where our country connects:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czEJQ0jhqIU

|Our Culture 

We are a collaborative, diverse and passionate group of individuals. We support one another, make impactful contributions to the organization, and develop and nurture meaningful connections across our ecosystem!

Come and join us - Where Payments Meets Purpose!

|About the role

Senior Legal Counsel reports to the Director, Legal and Rules, and serves as a senior-level legal resource and advisor to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), senior management, and business units. Part of a collegial team, you are an experienced lawyer who is happy to share your expertise for the benefit of your peers both within and beyond the Legal team at Payments Canada. 

|What you’ll do

Your responsibilities will include:

Strategic and Business Legal Advice:

• Providing strategic and business-focused legal advice and analysis, on a variety of topics, to Payments Canada and its business leaders in relation to its strategic priorities, general business affairs, and statutory mandate.
• Exercising thoughtful judgment in the provision of legal advice to help business partners assess legal risk and make informed business decisions, with a view to the legal and regulatory environment in which Payments Canada operates.

Legal Subject Matter Expertise

• Acting as a legal subject matter expert able to provide advice on a range of day-to-day matters, with specialized knowledge and familiarity with drafting and negotiating complex technology agreements, commercial contracts, license agreements, master services agreements, non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements, and more.

Professional Responsibilities

• Complying at all times with the professional obligations of a lawyer when advising its client, Payments Canada.
• Keeping abreast of legislative changes and other legal developments that may affect Payments Canada and sharing this information with Payments Canada employees and stakeholders as appropriate.

Leadership and Mentorship

• Acting as a peer mentor to other members of the Legal team, providing advice and assisting with the development of their professional skills and payments law subject matter expertise.
• Carrying out duties independently with minimal supervision, keeping the Chief Legal Officer and Director, Legal and Rules informed of important activities, and seeking out peer advice and input as required.

Relationship Management

• Developing and maintaining positive relationships with internal business partners, senior management and external stakeholders, requiring a strong customer service orientation and the exercise of discretion, tact, and superior relationship management/building skills.
• Promoting collaboration and the transfer of business knowledge by facilitating open communication within the Legal team and with its Payments Canada business partners.
  

|Minimum Qualifications

• Baccalaureate of Laws (LL. B) or Juris Doctor (J.D.);
• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario;
• Minimum of ten (10) years of post-call corporate law experience in a law firm or in-house/corporate counsel position;
• Significant experience in drafting and negotiating complex technology agreements, commercial contracts, license agreements, master services agreements, non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements;
• Occasional travel outside the Ottawa or Toronto area as required; 
• Valid criminal records check or eligibility to obtain.

|Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingualism (English and French) is considered an asset;
• Experience in financial services and with federally-regulated entities is considered an asset.

|Salary Range

• Based on qualifications and experience: $134,837 and $168,546.

Please submit your application by August 09, 2024.

| Payments Meets Purpose - What you can expect from us     

• Flexible, hybrid (remote/office) environment;
• Competitive compensation package, including annual variable bonus and defined contribution pension plan with employer matching percentage (If eligible);
• Comprehensive health and dental benefit coverage, including mental health coverage, life insurance and a health spending account for you and your dependents (Permanent and temporary employee's with contracts 12 months & over);
• Paid time off: minimum four weeks paid vacation, sick and personal days, December Holiday Shutdown and Cultural Holiday Observance Days;
• 26 Weeks of paid maternity and parental leave top-up; 
• Rewards and recognition program;
• Access to Office Gym Facilities; 
• Internal and external professional development opportunities;
• Fun team and organizational events;
• Monthly All Staff Forums led by our Executive Leadership Team. 

|Our Diversity, Inclusion and Equity CommitmentAt Payments Canada, we are committed to making everyone feel they can be themselves and thrive at work. We will continue to build on a foundation of respect and appreciation for diversity in all forms and collectively create an inclusive and equitable culture where our differences are valued.

We are committed to employment equity and actively encourage applications from women, Aboriginal people, persons with disabilities and visible minorities. If selected for an interview, please advise us if you require special accommodation by emailing hrinfo@payments.ca.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Interviews may be conducted virtually or in person.