Head of Legal Affairs

JOIN OUR TEAM

At Couche-Tard/Circle K, our mission is simple: to make our customer’s lives a little easier everyday. You may have already stopped for coffee, refueling your car, or eating something on the go. Then, you know what Couche-Tard/Circle K is. We have grown into a successful global company with over 16,000 stores in 29 countries, serving almost 9 million customers every day. In total, more than 150,000 people work in our stores and offices. We make journeys easier by offering fast and friendly service. We care about our people and our communities, and we look for ways to uplift people first. Wherever your journey’s going, we can help you get there. Are you ready to grow your career? Let's grow together

Head of Legal Affairs - Canada

Department: Legal affairs - Canada

Location: Laval, QC (4204 boulevard Industriel, H7L 0E3)

Hybrid work: 3 days at the office and 2 days remotely

Type of employment: Permanent, Full Time (40 hours)

THE ROLE

Reporting to the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, as part of the Legal Affairs team, the Head of Legal Affairs Canada will be responsible for all legal aspects of the company's Canadian operations.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Excited to embark on a journey with us? Here's a breakdown of the key responsibilities in this role:

Lead and manage a team of lawyers and paralegals providing legal advice and services to the entire organization for the Canadian market in regulatory and contractual matters, and ensure their development and commitment;

Provide legal support to all business units and executive members by providing advice, guidance and training on all matters affecting the company's activities and related legal issues;

Direct and manage mandates assigned to outside counsel to ensure quality of work, compliance with outside counsel guidelines, costs and profitability of files;

Provide management with legal and strategic advice on various local and national legal issues (commercial, civil, marketing, retail, privacy, contracts, competition, cannabis and labor/employment relations) in order to comply with legislation, regulations and minimize risks to the company, and implement practical solutions;

Manage, administer, draft and negotiate various strategic and complex contracts;

Establish and manage internal and external litigation strategy;

Ensure the highest and most appropriate representation of the company and implement the right strategies to avoid the risk of litigation against the company;

Propose alternative dispute resolution methods and negotiate out-of-court settlements to avoid litigation and the risk of lawsuits against the company;

Ensure the highest and most appropriate protection of the company's image and reputation by working closely with the Communications Department for all external communications and external requests for opinions and positioning;

Work in partnership with the Human Resources department for all matters relating to labor relations and employment;

Ensure that the company operates in compliance with local and global legislation, regulations and internal practice policies;

Manage various cases of breaches of workplace conduct standards and internal investigations relating to any breaches;

Implement and deliver training on internal procedures and policies to business units;

Establish and manage the Canadian legal budget (operations), negotiate pricing agreements with external offices;

Maintain skills and knowledge in areas of law relevant to practice;

Perform all related professional functions.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

We want you to join our team Here's what we're looking for:

Education

Bachelor's degree in law

Member in good standing of the Quebec Bar

Experience:

At least fifteen (15) years of relevant experience in civil, commercial and business law, ideally with an international company or large law firm.

Knowledge and skills:

Strong ability to lead a team of professionals and ensure their development and commitment;

Ability to lead, coach and foster a collaborative work environment;

Proven ability to organize work, work under pressure and manage several complex files concurrently within established deadlines;

Strong decision-making, analytical and strategic skills to align legal strategies with overall business objectives;

Strong communication, drafting and contract negotiation skills;

Excellent analytical and synthesizing skills, ability to popularize legal concepts;

Facilitator of change, appreciation of entrepreneurial culture and ability to adapt to a constantly changing environment; and

Willingness to learn and to invest in the development of the department.

Language skills

Bilingualism required (French and English), both written and spoken, as the person will be called upon to serve English-speaking regions.

WHY YOU SHOULD WORK HERE:

At Couche-Tard/Circle K, we believe that our team members are the heart and soul of our business. When you join us, you're not just getting a job – you're becoming part of a vibrant community where your talents are valued, your growth is nurtured, and your contributions make a real difference. Here's why you'll love working with us:

Benefits package:

Group Insurance Program: Stay healthy and happy Our plan provides you with the flexibility to choose coverage that best meets your needs and add optional insurance (health and dental care, long-term disability, life insurance, health spending account)

Pension Plan: Plan for your future and retire with peace of mind with our pension plan, helping you build a secure financial future.

Share Purchase Plan: Invest in your future and share in our success with our employee stock purchase plan, allowing you to become a shareholder of Couche-Tard/Circle K.

Paid Time Off: Recharge and rejuvenate with paid time off, including vacation days, sick days, and personal days to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Additional Perks:

Employee Discounts: Enjoy exclusive discounts on our products and services, making it even easier to fuel up and stock up on your favorite goodies.

Training and Development: Grow your skills and advance your career with access to ongoing training and development opportunities, including workshops, seminars, and online courses.

Recognition and Rewards: We celebrate our team's achievements and milestones with a range of recognition programs, rewards, and incentives to show our appreciation for your hard work and dedication.

Mentorship Program: Take your career to new heights with our mentorship program, where seasoned professionals provide guidance, support, and valuable insights to help you reach your full potential.

Scholarship Program: Invest in your education and future success with our scholarship program, available not only to our employees but also to their children. We're committed to supporting your lifelong learning journey and empowering you to achieve your academic and career goals.

INTERESTED? You are only a few clicks away from joining an exceptional company Visit our careers page at to submit your application. We can't wait to hear from you

At Couche-Tard/Circle K, we're committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life to join our team and contribute their unique perspectives and talents.

We thank all candidates for their interest in this position. Please note that only selected candidates will be contacted for further steps in the hiring process.

#LI-KB1

Couche-Tard / Circle K valorise la diversité et de l’inclusion et vise à créer un milieu de travail sain, accessible et gratifiant qui met en valeur la contribution unique de nos employés au succès de notre entreprise. En tant qu'employeur qui s'engage à respecter l'équité en matière d'emploi, nous encourageons les candidatures les plus diverses afin de pouvoir nous doter d’un effectif varié et représentatif de nos clients et des communautés que l’on sert. Des accommodements sont disponibles sur demande pour les candidats qui participent à tous les aspects du processus de sélection. #J-18808-Ljbffr

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