Director, Legal Services and Associate Corporate Secretary

Metrolinx is connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Metrolinx operates GO Transit and UP Express, as well as the PRESTO fare payment system. We are also building new and improved rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system, to get people where they need to go, better, faster and easier. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

At Metrolinx, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to living our values of serving with passion, thinking forward and playing as a team.

Our Legal and Corporate Commercial Services Office is seeking a Director, Legal Services & Associate Corporate Secretary, who under the general direction of the Chief Legal and Commercial Officer or a designate, will assist with professional legal work and provide legal advice and opinions on a diverse range of corporate matters.

What will I be doing?

• Acts as Metrolinx’s legal lead (“Lead Legal Expert”) on corporate governance and related compliance matters in the context of applicable legislation, regulation and Provincial directives applying to the Corporation
• Working with the Corporate Secretary and corporate governance staff across the organization, anticipates, leads and oversees planning, delivery and completion of Metrolinx Board and Committee related governance requirements including meeting planning, reporting, record keeping and follow up
• Drafts and reviews complex Board and Committee reports, opinions and other corporate documents such as by-laws and related operational policies falling within the Board of Director’s oversight responsibilities
• Provides high-quality and timely legal advice, strategic advice, research, opinions, guidance and service on matters pertaining to corporate governance and compliance matters
• Accountable for matters within an assigned portfolio of legal work grouped by business unit, program or project as assigned by a senior lawyer
• Directs Metrolinx’s external counsel on corporate governance, compliance and other legal matters and makes recommendations to the Corporate Secretary and Chief Legal and Commercial Officer
• As Lead Legal Expert, provides feedback to other lawyers in the area, keeps abreast of relevant legal developments, and pro-actively communicates related legal developments to affected internal clients
• Oversees and conducts legal research on a diverse range of complex legal matters
• Provides legal advice and opinions on a diverse range of disputes and other matters
• Leads significant day-to-day legal issues and other initiatives; reports major developments to the Corporate Secretary, Chief Legal and Commercial Officer, Chief Executive Officer and/or Board of Directors as may be required
• Leads legal presentations to management and the Board, including presentations to the Senior Management Team
• Advises all levels of management and senior ministry representatives, including briefings of senior management and ministry representatives up to and including Chief Executive Officer and the Deputy Minister, and the Minister at the Ministry of Transportation
• Briefs policy and legal staff at the Ministry of Transportation
• Attends and participates as a member of the department’s Legal Services Management Team and manages direct reports
• Maintains an awareness of current provincial and federal legislation and regulations that may affect Metrolinx; recommends amendments to existing policies and procedures arising from relevant legislative or regulatory changes; provides advice/opinions on the interpretation of legislation
• Contributes to enhancing corporate policies and procedures and provides opinions and advice to the corporation
• Provides pro-active legal advice to organization outside of specific legal assignments
• Advises and prepares legal documents that comply with the law and do not expose Metrolinx to risk and/or financial loss
• Assists in developing programs for junior lawyers and, at the request of the Chief Legal Officer, mentors junior lawyers and other staff, particularly as Lead Legal Expert in matters under purview
• Commits to ongoing leadership development through participation in organization’s leadership programs

What Skills and Qualifications Do I Need?

• Law Degree and membership in good standing, as a Lawyer, in the Law Society of Ontario is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience as a lawyer, paralegal or corporate clerk gained at a reputable law firm and/or in-house legal group, preferably at other provincial agencies or for the Province of Ontario
• Demonstrated experience as a corporate secretary or associate corporate secretary at a large private sector organization or other crown agency may also be considered.
• Ability to identify and resolve legal issues
• Ability to work well as a full and valuable member of an integrated business-legal team
• Ability to think strategically
• Comfortable with working independently, as well as good understanding and judgment of situations which require approval or input of the Chief Legal and Commercial Officer and other senior management
• Ability to function well under pressure and demonstrate leadership in legal department
• Strong service ethic
• Ability to translate legal concepts into readily understandable advice
• Sound judgment and practical approach to resolving legal issues
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal, and oral/written communication skills
• Ideal candidates will have corporate governance experience, gained from a major firm, corporation or government agency.
• Experience in any of the following areas would be an asset: Contract and Claims Management, Municipal Law, compliance oversight and public sector governance (Municipal, Provincial, or Federal).

Don’t Meet Every Requirement?

If you’re excited about working with Metrolinx but your past experience doesn’t quite align with every qualification of this posting, we encourage you to apply. You just might be the right candidate for this or other roles. We are always looking for great talent to join our team.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations.

Accommodation:

We value the unique skills and experiences each person brings to Metrolinx and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment. We are committed to the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act so if you require accommodation during the hiring process, please let our Recruitment team know by contacting us at: 416-202-5601 or email hr.recruitment@metrolinx.com.

Application Process:

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Metrolinx will be using email to communicate with you for all job competitions. It is your responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time sensitive correspondence, we recommend that you check your email regularly. If no response is received, we will assume you are no longer interested in pursuing the opportunity. Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate.

For Internal applicants, with the recent implementation of the Internal Mobility Policy, the internal recruitment process has changed for non-union roles. Candidates must be in their current role for 12 months prior to applying for another role and each applicant must be in good standing (not participating in a Performance Improvement Plan). Please review all provisions of the policy before submitting your application.

Should it be determined that any background information provided be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, Metrolinx reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of your application.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

WE ARE AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER.

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