Director, Legal Services, Trust and Credit Unions

Join a Challenger

Being a traditional bank just isn’t our thing. We are big believers in innovating the banking experience because we believe Canadians deserve better options, and we challenge ourselves and our teams to creatively transform what’s possible in banking. Our team is made up of inquisitive and agile minds that find smarter ways of doing things. If you’re not afraid of taking on big challenges and redefining the future, you belong with us. You’ll get to work with people who will encourage you to reach new heights. We like to keep things fun, ask questions and learn together.

We are a big (and growing) family. Overall, we serve more than 607,000 people across Canada through Equitable Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank and EQB Inc.’s majority owned subsidiary ACM Advisors. We have been around for more than 50 years. Equitable Bank's wholly owned subsidiary, Concentra Bank, supports credit unions across Canada that serve more than 6 million members. Together we have $119 billion in combined assets under management and administration, with a clear mandate to drive change in Canadian banking to enrich people's lives. Our EQ Bank platform (eqbank.ca) has been named the top Schedule I Bank in Canada on the Forbes World's Best Banks 2023, 2022, and 2021 lists.

The Work:

The Director of Legal Services, Trust and Credit Unions is principally responsible for providing legal support and advice to the business operations of Concentra Trust (Personal Trusts & Estates, Corporate Trusts, and Registered Plans) and the legacy business operations of Concentra Bank (Deposits, and Strategic Financial Management, including Balance Sheet Management, Foreign Exchange, and Securitization Administration) (together, “Concentra”). The incumbent will work independently within the Legal Team, providing a wide range of services to the business units, including advising on new product development, corporate initiatives and consumer and regulatory issues. The incumbent will interact regularly with senior management and will provide advice that will help Concentra, and the Equitable Bank group of companies (“Equitable”)achieve their goals and impact their overall strategic direction. Moreover, they are responsible for proactively promulgating policies and otherwise advancing practices that reduce legal risk in the areas they are principally responsible for and are likewise responsible for identifying other programs or functional areas that may be implicated as new legal strategies or practices are identified.

The Director of Legal Services, Trust and Credit Unions will be involved in handling a significant workload, inclusive of inquiries and assignments from a number of departments, as well as on legal matters arising from various legal developments, including statutory and regulatory changes. The incumbent will make significant decisions on behalf of the Legal Department and will be accountable for legal matters relating to Concentra’s Trust and Credit Union Services functions.

The Director of Legal Services, Trust and Credit Unions will preserve Concentra and Equitable’s reputation for integrity and work with the departments to protect the organization from legal risk and exposure. In this role, they will play a critical part in developing policies, procedures and documentation that meet Concentra and Equitable’s security requirements and protect their interests now and in the future. The incumbent will strive to maintain cooperative relationships with all internal departments, project originators, policy makers, industry associations and regulatory and self-regulatory agencies that govern Concentra’s businesses.

• 70 % Trust and Credit Union Services Transactions
• Serve as the Legal Team’s main point of contact for Concentra’s operations: Personal Trusts & Estates, Corporate Trusts, Registered Plans, Deposits, and Strategic Financial Management, including Balance Sheet Management, Foreign Exchange, and Securitization Administration
• Co-ordinate and lead the provision of practical and strategic legal advice to various stakeholders on a range of legal issues arising with respect to origination of new business, with a focus on compliance with Concentra and Equitable’s standards and mitigation of legal and operational risk
• Work closely with members of Trust and Credit Union Services management to interpret and ensure compliance with legal requirements and internal policies and procedures
• Lead all drafting requisitions and the general provision of legal input pertaining to the commercial materials of Trust and Credit Union Services, including all trust and credit union services documentation
• Using a business-oriented approach, review and advise on negotiations with trust settlors, partner credit unions, commercial agents, customers, and key service providers
• Review, revise and advise on internal policies and procedures, as required
• Prepare, review, and negotiate company contracts, requests for proposals and other legal documentation
• Ensure agreements contain requisite protections and meet Concentra and Equitable’s operational and regulatory requirements
• Manage Concentra and Equitable’s overall legal risk position by proactively identifying legal risks, ensuring continued compliance with legal requirements and an appreciation for legal best practice and market standards, and communicating risk and mitigation strategies to various stakeholders
• Conduct legal research and undertake special projects, as required
• Work closely with Trust and Credit Union Services management in the investigation and resolution of internal audit findings
• Initiate and lead the development of precedents for business initiatives to streamline internal processes and minimize reliance on external counsel
• Work effectively with external counsel to provide valued legal services, including trustee applications and litigation management to Concentra in a cost-controlled manner
• Take leadership over the management and oversight of certain legal resources, subscriptions, and licenses available within Concentra

• Serve as the Legal Team’s main point of contact for Concentra and Equitable’s Trust and Credit Union Services initiatives by working closely with Trust, Credit Union Services, Commercial, and Project Management teams
• Work closely with senior management to advise on legal requirements applicable to new Trust and Credit Union Services projects and product updates
• Using a business-oriented approach, manage and lead business units in achieving targets relating to new corporate and transactional initiatives, including advising on legality, market standards, and operational concerns relating to the project
• Mindfully review, draft and comment on documentation and processes relating to corporate transactions/initiatives
• Advise on creative solutions to legal and regulatory requirements, where required to advance the goals and mandates of the business
• Actively take a primary role in the development of new initiatives to ensure legal soundness with a sensitivity to the needs of the business
• Draft documentation, and amend existing documentation, to support changes in processes and/or enhancements by business managers
• Manage the provision of legal support to Trust and Credit Union Services relating to product updates and new initiatives
• Drafting/Amending and where necessary negotiating agreements with trust settlors, partner credit unions, commercial agents, customers, and key service providers relating to product offerings

• Degree from a recognized Canadian University
• Graduate of a recognized law school (LLB or JD)
• Called to the Saskatchewan Bar
• Member in good standing of the Law Society of Saskatchewan or other provincial equivalents
• 8-10 years of post-call experience
• Exceptional knowledge of trust and estates law, and transactions
• Comprehensive knowledge of banking and financial services, including credit union, law and transactions (retail banking experience would be an asset)
• Proficiency in co-operative and credit union governance and ownership structures
• Robust analytical skills when reviewing, interpreting, and providing commentary on legal agreements
• Familiarity with the relevant regulatory bodies (i.e. OSFI, FCAC, CDIC, FINTRAC, FCAC, CMHC, provincial FSAs, provincial CUDGCs, and CSA and provincial securities regulators
• Master’s level education (MBA or LLM for example) would be an asset
• Proficiency in French would be an asset
• Professional and courteous manner
• Ability to collaborate with all internal and external groups
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and oral
• Strong prioritization skills
• Proficient computer skills
• Highly organized and autonomous
• Team player
• Problem solving capability and critical thinking
• Discretion with confidential issues and material
• Proactive, willing to take initiative to effect improvements

What we offer [For full-time permanent roles]

Competitive discretionary bonus

Market leading RRSP match program

???? Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits

Employee Share Purchase Plan

Maternity/Parental top-up while you care for your little one

Generous vacation policy, personal days and even a moving day

Virtual events to connect with your fellow colleagues

Annual professional development allowance and a comprehensive Career Development program

A fulfilling opportunity to join one of the top FinTechs and help create a new kind of banking experience

Equitable Bank is deeply committed to inclusion. Our organization is stronger and our employees thrive when we honour and celebrate everyone’s diverse experiences and perspectives. In tandem with that commitment, we support and encourage our staff to grow not just in their career path, but personally as well.

We commit to providing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment for all applicants. Please let us know of any accommodations needed so that you can bring your best self to the application process and beyond.All candidates considered for hire must successfully pass a criminal background check and credit check to qualify for hire. While we appreciate your interest in applying, an Equitable recruiter will only contact leading candidates whose skills and qualifications closely match the requirements of the position.

We can’t wait to get to know you