Legal Counsel

COMPETITION: 202545

POSITION TYPE: Indeterminate

SCHEDULE: Full-time (75 hours bi-weekly)

COMPETITION CLOSE DATE: Open Until Filled

ABOUT INUVIALUIT REGIONAL CORPORATION (IRC)

IRC was created in 1984 to represent the Inuvialuit and their rights and benefits obtained under one of Canada's oldest comprehensive land claim agreements. With assets over $1 billion, not including vast land holdings, IRC is responsible for corporate investment, land management, and a broad range of social, cultural, and economic programs and services benefiting Inuvialuit. Its subsidiaries have interests in grocery, manufacturing, property management, transportation, and significant dealings in the oil and gas industry.

Since its inception, IRC has experienced considerable growth, and its structure and operations have become increasingly complex. Combining local government and service delivery, community development, investment, and operating business divisions, all managed by a single back office, the organization has an array of complexities for the executive staff to navigate. There is an emphasis on fostering understanding, healing, and resilience in a region brimming with unique social challenges and immense potential for transformative change.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Manager of Legal Services, the Legal Counsel – Governance and Legal Systems will primarily be responsible for ensuring the organization complies with corporate governance laws, structures, and best practices and will also be responsible for managing the business and administrative functions of IRC's legal team. This role is responsible for advising on corporate governance matters, preparing policies and guidelines for the functioning of the Board of Directors and its committees, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies. The role is also charged with implementing and overseeing information management systems within the legal department, ensuring risks to data privacy, security and intellectual property for IRC's legal, enrolment, medical, and other divisions, are properly evaluated and managed. The successful candidate will oversee paralegals and assistants, interface with IRC's IT team and provide advice and guidance on how we provide legal services to related entities and community members.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Governance & Corporate Compliance

• Advise on corporate governance matters, including board and committee mandates, policies, and regulatory filings.
• Oversee the drafting and maintenance of governance documentation such as board resolutions, meeting minutes, and corporate records.
• Create and present governance training programs for community corporations and related entities
• Keep bylaws up to date for the corporate group and community corporations, development corporations, and related entities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable corporate and regulatory laws.

Privacy & Data Protection

• Act as the prime contact for all privacy related matters.
• Provide legal guidance on compliance with Canadian and international privacy laws (e.g., PIPEDA, GDPR, CPPA).
• Draft and review privacy policies, data sharing agreements, and consent frameworks.
• Support privacy impact assessments (PIAs) and incident response planning.

Cybersecurity & Data Security

• Identify legal risks related to cybersecurity, data breaches, and information governance and advise or obtain advice as required.
• Collaborate with IT and risk teams on security protocols, breach response, and regulatory reporting.
• Monitor evolving cybersecurity regulations and ensure organizational readiness.

Intellectual Property (IP)

• Act as the prime contact for all IP related matters.
• Manage the organization's IP portfolio, including trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
• Draft and negotiate IP-related agreements (e.g., licensing, NDAs, technology transfers).
• Advise on IP strategy, enforcement, and risk mitigation.

Legal Systems & Team Management

• Oversee internal legal systems and knowledge management platforms.
• Manage and mentor paralegals and administrative staff, ensuring efficient workflow and professional development.
• Implement legal technology tools to streamline document management, contract lifecycle, and compliance tracking.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must be/have:

• Law Degree (JD/LLB) from a recognized law school for qualification to practice in Canada.
• Admitted member in good standing of a law society in Canada, and upon acceptance of this role, is or will become a member of the Law Society of the Northwest Territories.
• Approximately 5-10 years of corporate; Environmental, Social, Governance; intellectual property; and/or technology law experience, preferably from a major law firm.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholder groups with demonstrated ability to meet targets.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Sound legal judgment and business acumen, including the ability to understand long-term business goals and objectives and to work to ensure the terms and conditions of contracts and permits support the achievement of those objectives.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with legal technology tools.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate alternatives and develop recommendations related to a wide range of legal and business issues.
• Team player with ambition, talent and drive.
• Strong analytical, advocacy, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to explain complex information simply.
• Ability to handle sensitive legal information with the highest level of discretion, confidentiality, maintaining trust within the organization.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing legal needs and priorities, supporting a dynamic legal environment Demonstrated ability to lead a project management initiative
• Experience working with Indigenous organizations would be an asset.
• Ability to support and service multiple stakeholders and projects.
• Demonstrates the ability to understand and respect different cultural perspectives, values, and beliefs, and interact with people in a way that is culturally appropriate and respectful.
• Knowledge of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, including, demographics/ values/ culture/ history is desirable. The ability to travel for up to a week within the ISR periodically is required.
• Priority consideration will be given to beneficiaries of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement.

TO APPLY

Please submit your resume and cover letter by pressing the Apply for This Job button at the top right of this web page and follow the application steps.

We encourage timely submissions of applications as candidates will be actively reviewed and the interview process may begin prior to the closing date.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Priority consideration is given to beneficiaries of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA); please identify in your application if you are a beneficiary of the IFA.
• The position requires the completion of a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check.
• This role is based in our Inuvik office; however, Calgary may be considered for the right candidate. Relocation support is available if required.
• An eligibility list may be established for hiring for similar positions based on performance in this competition.
• Applicants who do not meet all qualifications are encouraged to apply and may be considered for appointment at a lower level with a development plan.
• If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during any stage of our recruitment process, please contact us at to let us know how we can assist you.
• We would like to thank everyone in advance for applying as only those shortlisted will be contacted.
  

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive Salary: We recognize and reward talent with a competitive salary structure.
• Professional Development: We invest in your growth through ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Competitive Benefits: We provide eligible employees with a competitive benefits package, which includes extended health care; dental care; life, critical illness, and accident insurance; travel medical insurance; sick leave; and long-term disability.
• Wellness Benefits: We provide all employees with access to an employee and family assistance program.
• Retirement Benefits: We provide eligible employees with a Defined Contribution Pension Plan where IRC matches contributions of up to 5% of annual salary.
• Vacation benefits: We provide eligible employees with 4 weeks of annual vacation time to start.

For more information about our organization, go to

Human Resources
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
E-mail:  | Telephone: | Web:

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