Legal Counsel

Join to apply for the Legal Counsel role at Yorkville University We are looking for the visionaries, the change‑makers, and the self‑starters who are seeking more from their career. Change begins with the small decisions we make each day to support one another and create inspiring, incredible educational experiences for all students, no matter where they are or how they learn. Our core values put the student experience at the center of what we do, reflecting who we are and who we aspire to be. If you want to shine a light on academic excellence, be empowered to make an impact on the transformation of the Canadian post‑secondary education landscape, and work collaboratively beyond levels, join us. Who we need Reporting to the Vice‑President, Legal and General Counsel, we are seeking a Legal Counsel to join our team. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, faculty, and staff, providing strategic legal guidance across the organization. This is an opportunity to bring your expertise to a national private higher‑education institution with campuses across Canada and influence decisions that impact thousands of students, employees, and external partners. You will help safeguard the institution while enabling growth and innovation, advising on matters of impact across various departments within Yorkville University and Toronto Film School including Academics, Finance, Student Services, Marketing/Recruitment Policy/Governance and Operations, handling a broad scope of subject matters such as reviewing, drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, supporting governance and policy development, providing legal advice in a broad scope of areas, employment, human rights, privacy and others. This is a full‑time role, currently following a hybrid model working both on‑site at our downtown Toronto location and remotely. What's in it for you Strategic impact. You will serve as a trusted legal partner to senior leadership, shaping key decisions across academic, operational, and corporate functions. Professional growth. You will join a newly established legal function, helping define its vision, build processes, and expand your advisory scope. Influence across the organization. You will work across all departments and interact with leadership at every level, from faculty to Board members. Ownership and autonomy. As a key member of the organization’s legal team, you will operate with a high degree of independence, taking accountability for complex matters and shaping institutional practices. What you will do Act as a trusted advisor. Support the Vice‑President, Legal and General Counsel and act as a strategic legal partner to the Leadership Team, faculty, and corporate departments. Draft, negotiate, and manage agreements. Oversee the full lifecycle of agreements, including vendor, service, technology, license, affiliation, and non‑disclosure contracts. Advise on legal and regulatory matters. Provide guidance on privacy, employment, human rights, intellectual property, corporate or commercial law, and regulatory compliance. Support compliance, policy development and governance. Monitor legislative requirements and support institutional policy creation. Manage disputes effectively. Oversee legal disputes, including litigation and tribunal matters, and manage relationships with external counsel. Build institutional capacity. Develop precedents, playbooks, and workflow procedures to standardize legal processes. Advance institutional projects. Contribute legal expertise to special projects and strategic initiatives. What you bring The education. Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree and membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario. The experience. Minimum of three years as a Legal Counsel with a leading law firm or in‑house counsel at a major corporation. Prior experience in higher education is highly valued. The expertise. Exceptional communication, analytical, and documentation skills; significant experience negotiating, drafting, and reviewing a wide range of contracts; broad legal knowledge in contract law, privacy law, employment law, human rights, intellectual property law and litigation. The drive. Practical, results‑oriented, highly organized, with proven time management abilities and a focus on accuracy. The collaboration skills. Ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including the Leadership Team, Board members, faculty, staff, and external counsel. Why work at Yorkville University? Entrepreneurial culture blended with education, with continuous expansion of programming and state‑of‑the‑art solutions. Opportunity to accelerate your career and make meaningful contributions to the future of higher education. Inclusive environment welcoming all individuals and celebrating the full range of human diversity. Access to free courses, certifications and programs for continued professional development. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including wellness services and a work‑life balance. We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. Even if you do not have all of the qualifications we are looking for, we encourage you to apply. What you can expect from our hiring process A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor. The conversation will be recorded using BrightHire, an AI‑powered video interview tool. A virtual interview with the VP, Legal and General Counsel, and the VP, People. An in‑person interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Diversity, equity and inclusion are a critical component of life at Yorkville University and Toronto Film School and we are committed to making these values an integral part of our culture. We encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including women, persons with disabilities, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), people from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning, Two‑Spirit, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQ2SIA+) community and other equity‑seeking groups. Yorkville University is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act ('AODA'). If you require accommodation for disability, please notify Human Resources at 1‑877‑429‑4029. #J-18808-Ljbffr