Counsel, Pension Legal

We are looking for a highly motivated pension lawyer to join our Pension Legal & Plan Policy (“PLPP”) team in Toronto as Counsel. In this role, you will be part of a team that provides leadership, expertise and solutions on plan design, administration and pension initiatives. The team’s objectives are to resolve complex and technical pension policy issues, facilitate innovation, promote plan sustainability and meet the evolving needs and expectations of our members, employers and other stakeholders. You will be responsible for providing high-quality and practical legal advice on a variety of pension, business and corporate matters relating to Pension Services and other OMERS business groups.

**Scope of Position**:
Reporting to the Vice President, Pension Legal & Plan Policy, counsel in this role is responsible for providing legal advice and assisting the Pension & Legal teams on a broad range of matters, including those relating to pensions, other business areas of OMERS and, from time to time, OMERS investment entities. Such matters include plan administration, business and governance issues, and support for pension and corporate initiatives.

**Principal Functional Responsibilities**:
**Input and Advice will be required on**:
Administration and interpretation of the OMERS pension plans

Case file management, OMERS internal appeals process and litigation matters

Interpretation of the Pension Benefits Act, Income Tax Act and OMERS Act, 2006

Other areas of law related to pension plan administration

Plan design support, plan amendments and implementation

Day-to-day general corporate matters

Advising on legislative requirements and developments

Assisting with the coordination and supervision of external counsel with respect to litigation and performing in
- house litigation functions

Reviewing, commenting on and drafting various documents, plan text amendments, policies, communications, Board reports, and litigation materials

Assisting members of the Corporate Legal group and OMERS business professionals on day-to-day corporate and commercial matters

**To succeed in this role, you**:
Are qualified to practice law in Ontario

Have 2 to 6 years’ experience as a pension lawyer in Canada

Possess deep knowledge in pension law and related Income Tax Act provisions

Demonstrate knowledge of pension plan administration, plan design and policy development

**Beneficial Substantive Qualifications**:
Knowledge in other areas of law such as trust, family, employment/labour, estate & succession law

Familiarity with pension investment rules

Familiarity with general corporate and commercial law

Exposure to litigation or administrative tribunal matters

Public sector experience and, in particular, exposure to public sector pension plans

**Technical, Interpersonal and People Skills**:
Outstanding analytical thinking skills with the ability to evaluate complex situations and synthesize relevant information

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team

Adaptable in changing work environments

Strong business acumen

Strong judgement and high integrity

Action-oriented, high degree of initiative, ability to prioritize multiple tasks

Detail-oriented

**Our story**:
Founded in 1962, OMERS is one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans, with $121 billion in net assets as at December 31, 2021. OMERS is a jointly-sponsored pension plan, with 1,000 participating employers ranging from large cities to local agencies, and over half a million active, deferred and retired members. OMERS members include union and non-union employees of municipalities, school boards, local boards, transit systems, electrical utilities, emergency services and children’s aid societies across Ontario. Contributions to the Plan are funded equally by members and employers. OMERS teams work in Toronto, London, New York, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Singapore, Sydney and other major cities across North America and Europe - serving members and employers and originating and managing a diversified portfolio of high-quality investments in public markets, private equity, infrastructure and real estate.

OMERS is committed to having a workforce that reflects the communities in which we live and work. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. At OMERS inclusion and diversity means belonging. How we create a sense of belonging is through our employees and our vast network of Employee Resource Groups. Whether you are passionate about gender, pride, or visible minorities, we have groups that are focused on making a difference in all of our lives.

Vaccination Policy

At OMERS and Oxford the office or worksite is our primary place of work. We are committed to providing work environments which promote the health, safety and well-being of all employees in accordance with public health regulation and guidance. Accordingly, employees are