Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial & Corporate based in Canada.

In this role, you will provide strategic and practical legal support across technology and financial services operations within a fast-growing fintech environment. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, particularly Procurement, Partnerships, and People & Culture, to support business initiatives and manage complex legal matters. You will play a key role in drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, advising on strategic partnerships, and addressing corporate and regulatory requirements. You will also contribute to modernizing legal operations through AI-powered workflows and contract management solutions. This is an opportunity to take ownership, solve complex challenges, and help build scalable legal processes in a collaborative, remote-first environment.

Accountabilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including complex contracts with banking, payment processing, technology partners, and external vendors.
• Advise product and partnerships teams on structuring, negotiating, and documenting strategic business partnerships.
• Develop and implement AI-powered legal workflows, including contract templates and contract lifecycle management processes, to improve efficiency and scalability.
• Support enterprise risk management and third-party risk management initiatives, ensuring appropriate legal oversight and risk mitigation.
• Provide legal guidance on employment-related matters and collaborate with internal stakeholders on workplace legal issues.
• Support general corporate matters, including equity fundraising activities, corporate debt transactions, and other strategic financing initiatives.
• Partner with business teams to identify legal and regulatory risks while providing practical, commercially focused solutions.
• Improve legal processes, internal documentation, and operational frameworks to support the organization’s continued growth.

Requirements

• 6–8+ years of post-call legal experience practicing in Canada, gained in-house, at a law firm, or through a combination of both.
• Strong experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Previous experience supporting technology procurement activities and negotiating agreements with technology providers and vendors.
• Solid understanding of commercial law, corporate matters, and the legal considerations involved in technology-driven financial services.
• Strong business judgment and the ability to balance legal risk with commercial objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal matters clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
• An entrepreneurial mindset, demonstrating initiative, accountability, and the ability to independently drive projects forward.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate ambiguity, changing priorities, and complex regulatory questions.
• A proactive approach to improving legal operations through scalable processes, practical playbooks, technology, and AI-powered solutions.
• Intellectual curiosity, adaptability, sound judgement, and a collaborative, low-ego approach to working with diverse teams.

Nice to have:

• Experience working within both a large banking institution and a smaller technology startup or fintech company.
• Exposure to banking charter applications, bank launch processes, or the development of regulated financial services operations.
• Familiarity with OSFI Guideline B-10 regarding third-party risk management.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary: CAD $180,000–$210,000.
• Equity participation: Opportunity to share in the company’s long-term growth and success.
• Remote‑first working environment: Flexibility to work remotely across Canada.
• Flexible time off: Generous vacation allowance, wellness days, flexible days, and company‑wide holiday closures.
• Comprehensive health benefits: Access to healthcare coverage and additional wellness support.
• Parental support: Parental leave and salary top‑up policies.
• Professional development: Access to coaching, career growth programs, and learning opportunities.
• Home office support: Dedicated budgets for home office equipment, books, and professional development.
• Technology allowances: Financial support for phone, internet, and AI‑powered tools.
• Collaborative culture: Work alongside an engaged, ambitious, and supportive team.
• Meaningful impact: Help shape the future of financial technology and contribute to improving financial services for Canadians.