Legal Counsel

Competition Number: REQ 7525

TITLE: Legal Counsel

DIVISION: General Counsel's Office

FULL POSITION SALARY RANGE: $116,500 to $157,600 annually

TARGET HIRING RANGE: $116,500 to $137,043 annually

HOURS PER WEEK: 37.5 hours

LOCATION: 230 Richmond Street East

WORK MODALITY: On-site

STATUS: Full-Time Admin

VACANCY: Replacement

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately

CLOSING DATE: Open until filled.

*Compensation Note: Our typical hiring practice is to target a starting salary within the hiring range. Final compensation will be determined based on the successful candidate's qualifications, relevant experience, specialized skills, market considerations, and internal salary alignment.

Land Acknowledgement: George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work, and live in the community with each other.

Equity Statement: George Brown Polytechnic is committed to creating and sustaining an equitable and inclusive learning and working environment. We encourage and actively seek applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized people, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, all genders, and persons with disabilities.

GBP Vision: To be a polytechnic renowned for its inclusion, excellence, relevance, impact, and leadership.

Position Description

Under the direction of General Legal Counsel, the Legal Counsel, Corporate provides expert legal advice and legal services across the Polytechnic on a broad range of legal issues including corporate and commercial issues, corporate governance, finance, procurement, licensing, and regulatory matters. The Legal Counsel, Corporate works closely with Deans, Directors, and other leaders to provide practical and actionable legal advice and legal services that ensures compliance with applicable laws, mitigates risks, and supports business objectives. This role provides an opportunity to provide proactive legal services in a fast-paced, public interest environment across a broad range of legal matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and assist with negotiation of various commercial agreements, vendor contracts, partnership agreements, and licensing agreements. Act as an expert resource on contract management.
  
• Partner with leaders to identify, assess and communicate legal risks and develop business focused strategies to mitigate risks and enable business objectives.
  
• Provide legal advice and services on a broad range of matters such as contract risk management, student placement and work integrated learning agreements, information technology agreements, intellectual property, and copyright.
  
• Provide guidance and advice on policies, guidelines and templates for transactions and corporate matters.
  
• In collaboration with the General Legal Counsel, assesses and advises on the financial and public relations risks to the Polytechnic on complex legal issues.
  
• Ensures that legal advice and legal services are provided in a timely and professional manner to client departments.
  
• Remain current with relevant legislation, regulations, the Minister’s Binding Directives, and other relevant statues governing the Polytechnic sector.
  
• Build trusted relationships across the organization and serve as a strategic legal partner to key stakeholders.
  
• Manage external counsel services.
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Educational and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree from a recognized post-secondary institution is required.
  
• Must be a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
  
• Minimum of four to seven (4-7) years of post-call experience in corporate/commercial law, in-house, at a reputable law firm, or a combination of both.
  
• Strong experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements across a variety of business functions.
  
• Experience in human rights, education law, administrative law, labour relations and employment law is considered an asset.
  
• Experience in the post-secondary education sector is considered an asset.
  

Skills and Attributes

• Exceptional organization and negotiations skills that will assist in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  
• Strong business acumen and the ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical recommendations.
  
• A collaborative mindset and genuine passion for partnering with cross-functional teams to solve business challenges.
  
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence stakeholders.
  
• Demonstrated commitment to uphold the polytechnic’s priorities on equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenization (EDII).

Interview process may consist of a practical skills component.

Notes:

• The Polytechnic requires proof of degrees, credentials, or equivalencies from accredited regional or federal post-secondary institutions and/or their international equivalents. Credentials may require validation at the time of interviews or offer.

About Us:

George Brown Polytechnic prides itself on educating students through real-world learning, in the heart of Toronto. Our faculty and employees make this vision a reality, and we support them by making George Brown a great place to work. See why we are consistently ranked as one of GTA’s top employers. George Brown Polytechnic offers hybrid work opportunities, a competitive pension plan, generous holiday and vacation time, a tuition assistance program, discounted rates for employees taking Continuing Education courses, and an equitable work environment where everyone matters.

George Brown Polytechnic is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Candidates who require accommodation in the hiring process may contact TalentAcquisition@georgebrown.ca confidentially.