ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL & LEGAL MANAGER- CANADA

Vast auto Distribution•Montreal, QC

About The Position

The Assistant General Counsel & Legal Manager-Canada will serve as the leader of the legal team in Canada, reporting to the General Counsel & SVP Legal in the U.S. This team member will be the primary legal advisor for the Company’s Canadian operations, providing practical and timely counsel regarding all legal topics related to business in Canada including compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all provinces in which the Company operates, contractual relationships with suppliers and vendors, labor and employment matters, real estate contracts and leases, corporate governance matters, and overall recognition and mitigation of legal risk while enabling business objectives. Provide legal opinions, advice, and recommendations to various business units on any legal matter which affects or involves the Company in Canada (both civil and common law), including matters in Quebec, Ontario, and the Atlantic provinces. Review, negotiate and draft, as necessary, a wide range of commercial agreements for Canadian operations, including master service agreements, statements of work, and other vendor contracts and supplier agreements, NDAs, and real estate leases and purchase contracts. Support M&A transactions and related matters. Engage outside counsel, as appropriate, and manage the work of outside counsel on both transactional and litigation matters. Oversee the handling of litigation in which the Company is a party, including working with outside counsel on strategy. Provide legal advice and support on Canadian labor and employment matters, including hiring practices, terminations, workplace policies, accommodations, investigations, and employment standards compliance, and collaborate with HR and senior management on internal investigations and dispute resolutions. Oversee corporate governance matters and related compliance in Canada. Provide advice and counsel on legislative and regulatory developments which impact the business, including working with appropriate stakeholders within the business to develop a compliance plan. Collaborate with business units to develop and execute compliance-related policies and procedures. Provide training and guidance to internal business stakeholders on key topics, including legal risks, contract practices and management, real estate contract and lease negotiations, compliance, and employment law. Work collaboratively with the General Counsel & Senior Vice President Legal and President – Canada to develop the legal function in Canada, including recruit, coach, mentor, evaluate and develop members of legal team in Canada. Ensure coordination with U.S. Corporate legal department on cross-border matters and corporate governance.

Requirements

Member of the Barreau du Quebec (required)
8+ years of relevant legal experience (law firm, in-house, or a combination thereof)
Bilingual in French and English (verbal and written)
Experience drafting and negotiating real estate purchase contracts and leases
M&A experience
Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to synthesize and present issues and recommendations with clarity to senior management
Excellent judgment and a solutions-oriented mindset
Experience leading and developing a team
Self-motivated, with the ability to work both independently and as a part of a team
A commitment to understand and embody the Company culture values in all aspects of the work and in dealings with team members and all outside parties.

Nice To Haves

Member of the Law Society of Ontario (preferred)
Familiarity with retail and distribution operations and associated legal issues
Familiarity with privacy laws and regulations
Experience in labor and employment law

Responsibilities

Provide legal opinions, advice, and recommendations to various business units on any legal matter which affects or involves the Company in Canada (both civil and common law), including matters in Quebec, Ontario, and the Atlantic provinces.
Review, negotiate and draft, as necessary, a wide range of commercial agreements for Canadian operations, including master service agreements, statements of work, and other vendor contracts and supplier agreements, NDAs, and real estate leases and purchase contracts.
Support M&A transactions and related matters.
Engage outside counsel, as appropriate, and manage the work of outside counsel on both transactional and litigation matters.
Oversee the handling of litigation in which the Company is a party, including working with outside counsel on strategy.
Provide legal advice and support on Canadian labor and employment matters, including hiring practices, terminations, workplace policies, accommodations, investigations, and employment standards compliance, and collaborate with HR and senior management on internal investigations and dispute resolutions.
Oversee corporate governance matters and related compliance in Canada.
Provide advice and counsel on legislative and regulatory developments which impact the business, including working with appropriate stakeholders within the business to develop a compliance plan.
Collaborate with business units to develop and execute compliance-related policies and procedures.
Provide training and guidance to internal business stakeholders on key topics, including legal risks, contract practices and management, real estate contract and lease negotiations, compliance, and employment law.
Work collaboratively with the General Counsel & Senior Vice President Legal and President – Canada to develop the legal function in Canada, including recruit, coach, mentor, evaluate and develop members of legal team in Canada.
Ensure coordination with U.S. Corporate legal department on cross-border matters and corporate governance.