Legal Counsel

Overview Legal Counsel role at SkillsWave . Remote option with a hybrid option if located in the Kitchener/Waterloo area and able to use the Catalyst Commons space. Reporting to the Head of Operations, you will guide SkillsWave through Canadian and U.S. law, support our people, protect our innovations, and enable expansion. This role requires curiosity, adaptability, and sound judgment, paired with the ability to simplify complexity and provide clear, business-friendly guidance. As a trusted advisor, you’ll shape SkillsWave’s legal foundation, manage external counsel relationships, and help build the organization’s legal maturity as we scale. Responsibilities Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements — including SaaS, licensing, vendor, and partnership contracts — with attention to IP, liability, and risk allocation. Keep the company aligned with privacy, corporate governance, and workplace regulations. Support growth opportunities such as new incorporations, financing, and strategic transactions. Manage relationships with external counsel in areas like IP, tax, and litigation. Provide practical guidance on cross-border employment matters, including hiring, policies, employee relations, and terminations. Create scalable templates, playbooks, and processes to support scalable operations. Act as a trusted advisor who translates legal complexity into clear, actionable business guidance. Qualifications L.L.B. or J.D. and called to the bar in Canada and/or the U.S. (dual admission is a plus). 3–5 years of legal experience, ideally with a mix of law firm and in-house exposure. Proven ability to draft, review, and negotiate complex SaaS/software and other commercial agreements with a strong understanding of IP, liability, indemnity, and regulatory considerations. Solid grounding in cross-border employment law and general commercial practices, with the ability to provide practical, business-focused guidance. Balance of risk awareness and business-minded pragmatism. Soft Skills Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to simplify complex legal issues for non-legal stakeholders. Strong problem-solving, analytical, and independent work habits in a fast-paced environment. Technological fluency and comfort with modern collaboration tools. Ability to juggle multiple priorities while maintaining composure under pressure. Collaboration across teams (People & Culture, Finance, Product) to act as a true business partner. High integrity, confidentiality, and commitment to ethical standards. What You Will Bring To The Team Independent self-starter with curiosity, empathy for stakeholders, and the ability to drive change. Entrepreneurial mindset with initiative, creativity, and ownership to support scaling and innovation. Strategic legal acumen for Canadian and U.S. commercial and employment law. Analytical excellence to translate complex contracts and regulations into business-friendly insights. Hands-on execution: comfortable drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements while guiding governance in a lean, start-up environment. Strong communication and influence to build trust with leadership, employees, and external partners. Adaptability and agility in fast-changing environments. Collaborative approach across functions as a genuine business partner. Commitment to ethical standards and safeguarding the organization’s reputation as it grows. Benefits Competitive Salary Vacation and Rest Days Health and Wellness Retirement Savings Plan Professional Development Background Check Notice: As part of our hiring process, SkillsWave may conduct a background check to ensure the safety and security of our workplace. Disclaimer and Consent: By submitting an application, you acknowledge and consent to the use, storage, and sharing of your information for evaluating your candidacy, processing your application, and communicating about future opportunities. For more information, please review SkillsWave Privacy Policy. For all recruitment agencies: SkillsWave does not accept agency resumes and will not pay fees related to unsolicited resumes. #J-18808-Ljbffr