Senior Legal Counsel

Monday, November 18, 2024

Transaction Structuring works with IO partners to assist in the evaluation of projects, assess suitability for delivery methodologies, and plan and implement alternative financing models for IO's Capital Program. In addition to transaction structuring, they provide financial advisory services and analysis on finance related provisions such as payment mechanisms, compensation on termination and payment structure.

The Legal Services Department plays a critical role in our organization by providing comprehensive legal support across various domains. Comprising Corporate Legal, Transaction Legal, and Real Estate Legal divisions, this department ensures legal compliance, safeguards the organization's interests, and facilitates smooth project delivery.

Job Purpose:

IO’s Corporate Legal team, one of the practice groups within the organization’s Legal Services division, is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to provide legal support and strategic advice in relation to IO’s Infrastructure Lending business line and other corporate functions, including its procurement and commercial projects activity.

What You Will Do:

• Support business partners on the Infrastructure Lending team by providing high quality legal advice, opinions, and guidance, while working on numerous lending matters in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities. This involves conducting due diligence on potential loans (including reviewing proposed real and personal property security and reviewing term sheets), drafting financing agreements and security documentation, negotiating with counterparties to finalize loan documentation, managing transaction closings, and managing the administration of existing loans.
• Assume other legal duties as assigned. This may include: supporting Procurement team partners in ensuring that fair, transparent procurement practices are used, legal risks are minimized, and value-for-money is obtained; and supporting Commercial Projects team partners in delivering technology transformation projects that change the way government services are delivered in Ontario.
• Manage and direct external counsel; interpret and disseminate legal advice provided by external counsel to other lawyers and clients through an organization-focused lens.
• Ensure compliance with IO’s various governance requirements.
• Educate other lawyers and internal clients on legal matters through discussions and presentations.
• Contribute to the development of internal process improvements and deliver training to different areas of IO.
• Contribute to a close team of talented, high-performing professionals in a collegial and rewarding environment.

Candidates Applying For This Position Must Have:

• A law degree (J.D. or LL.B.).
• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.

What We Are Looking For:

• At least six years of experience practicing law in a law firm and/or in-house legal department.
• Corporate/commercial law experience leading complex transactions (ideally, secured lending transactions). Experience in public procurement law and technology law is an asset.
• Strong analytical, drafting and negotiation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work pro-actively and independently on multiple files in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships in a team-based environment.

What We Offer:

• Commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture that promotes a sense of belonging and represents and reflects the needs of the communities we serve.
• A flexible, hybrid work approach that allows colleagues to find balance between their professional and personal lives and making the most of the benefits of working remotely and purpose-driven in-person collaboration opportunities.
• A defined contribution pension plan, where IO contributes the equivalent of 5% of a full-time employee’s annual salary, with an option for IO to match an additional 5% contribution made by the employee. IO also offers a Group Retirement Savings Plan and Group Tax Free Savings Account, designed to help IO colleagues plan and save for their future.
• A comprehensive package that covers health, dental, vision, out-of-country care, paramedical services, and more.
• A pregnancy and parental leave program that offers expecting, eligible employees a top-up to 95% of their annual base salary for 31 weeks, and a parental leave program offers eligible employees a top-up to 95% of their annual base salary for 15 weeks.
• Access to IO’s Healthcare Spending Account to top up expenses not covered in the benefits package and Lifestyle Account that expands the eligibility of health and wellness options and includes coverage for gym memberships and fitness equipment, nutrition counselling, and financial planning.
• Support for professional development opportunities for all colleagues through a broad range of learning programs that include in-person and online training, leadership development, and support for colleagues’ well-being. IO will also cover the costs associated with up to two membership and license fees per year for eligible employees if directly related to the employee’s role.
• Access to a suite of virtual healthcare options to support non-urgent medical needs.
• A convenient, central location in downtown Toronto at 1 Dundas Street West that is easily accessible by public transit.

Level of Position (for Senior Legal Counsel): Legal (L2) with salary ranging from $125,200 to $187,800. The salary will be determined based on year of call to the Ontario Bar, skills, knowledge and experience, and will fall within IO's internal pay bands and compensation philosophy.

This posting will close on December 2, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

After reviewing the qualifications listed above, we want you to know that we understand you may not meet all the qualifications described, but still encourage you to apply, as you may have other relevant expertise and experience that you can bring to the role.

At Infrastructure Ontario, we strive to create a culture that encourages a diverse equitable and inclusive environment that fosters belonging. We believe that experience comes in many forms and through learning from each others’ differences and perspectives gives us strength. We are committed to enhancing our culture and encourage applications from all walks of life. Let us know if you require any accommodations for the selection process, by contacting the Talent Acquisition Team.

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience will be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

At Infrastructure Ontario, we use AI in our applicant tracking system to improve the efficiency and fairness of recruitment. Your application will be reviewed by both AI and our hiring team for a thorough evaluation. Please note that final hiring decisions are made solely by our experienced hiring team.