Director & Senior Counsel (Employment, Privacy & Corporate)

BCI•Vancouver, BC

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

With $295.0 billion of gross assets under management, as of March 31, 2025, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) is the provider of investment management services for British Columbia’s public sector and one of the largest asset managers in Canada. BCI seeks investment opportunities around the world and across a range of asset classes that convert savings into productive capital. Our investment returns play a significant role in helping our institutional clients build a financially secure future for their beneficiaries. Headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, and with teams spanning Vancouver, New York, London, and Mumbai. BCI integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into all investment decisions to meet clients' risk and return requirements. Our people shape employee-focused initiatives, creating a strong culture. To learn more about our culture and values, visit our BCI Values in Action page. This is a rare opportunity to serve as a trusted legal advisor on employment and privacy matters with global scope, at a nationally recognized institutional investor headquartered in Victoria, BC. Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, Corporate, this Director & Senior Counsel position is responsible for providing expert legal advice and support on employment law and privacy matters across BCI. The Director & Senior Counsel works closely with Human Resources, Compliance, Communications, and other internal business partners to deliver proactive, practical guidance on a broad range of employment, privacy, governance and other corporate commercial matters. The Legal Affairs Department provides comprehensive legal, compliance, and governance support across the organization. The department works to provide tailored risk-based advice, ensuring compliance with regulations and upholding high ethical standards. The team gives proactive, practical, and solution-oriented guidance to help their business partners make informed decisions, fostering innovation and driving success. By focusing on strategic objectives, the Legal Affairs Department supports BCI’s ambitions and maintains its reputation as a trusted business partner, collaboratively delivering legal solutions that advances BCI’s strategy while safeguarding the interests of BCI and our clients.

Requirements

A Law degree (LL.B. or J.D.)
Called or qualified to be called to the bar of British Columbia
5+ (8+ preferred) years’ experience at a Canadian law firm, in-house legal team, or equivalent setting with strong focus on employer-side employment law

Nice To Haves

Expertise in British Columbia employment law, including the Employment Standards Act (British Columbia), BC Human Rights Code, and related legislation
Experience advising on privacy laws, in particular the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (British Columbia) and GDPR
Experience developing or reviewing employment policies, employment agreements, and related governance documents
Familiarity with occupational health and safety legislation and workplace investigation best practices
Familiarity with employee workplace accommodations under the Human Rights Code (BC)
Familiarity with privacy compliance programs, including privacy impact assessments (PIAs)
Exposure to global mobility matters, including cross-border employment and secondment arrangements and related immigration considerations is an asset
Exposure to employment laws in New York, USA, India and/or UK is an asset
Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial agreements
Experience working with or within statutory or government agency entities
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with experience advising non-legal business partners on sensitive matters
Strong judgment and ability to work independently with minimal supervision

Responsibilities

Serves as the primary internal advisor on employment law matters, including hiring practices, workplace governance documents, and global mobility matters
Advises on privacy law compliance, including obligations under applicable privacy legislation, with particular attention to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (British Columbia) and GDPR, and supports the organization’s privacy program including privacy impact assessments
Reviews, drafts and advises on BCI’s governance documents and practices to identify employment and privacy law risk, recommending updates as required
Monitors developments in employment and privacy law, proactively advises the business on legislative changes and emerging risks and works with the business to appropriately manage or mitigate those risks
Supports workplace investigations, providing guidance on process, scope, and findings in collaboration with Human Resources
Provides guidance on workplace accommodations
Drafts, reviews and negotiates commercial agreements, including agreements for HR operational activities and recruitment support
Provides timely and practical legal advice to internal business partners on contractual, regulatory, governance, and day-to-day operational legal matters across employment and privacy subject areas
Supports other areas of the business as may be required
Anticipates and foresees legal and business risks specific to own area of expertise and advises proactively
Builds relationships and communicates effectively with internal and external stakeholders
Effectively manages external counsel, including providing instructions, reviewing advice and integrating that advice with BCI’s requirements
Resolves complex issues within areas of expertise and experience
Approaches work with an understanding of how it relates to the long-term objectives and strategies of the Legal Affairs department and BCI