General Counsel - US/Canada

Cyclic Materials Inc.•Toronto, ON

About The Position

Cyclic Materials™ is building a resilient circular supply chain for rare earth elements and other critical materials. Through our proprietary MagCycle℠ and REEPure℠ processes, we recover rare earths from end-of-life products and transform them into high purity materials used in the production of permanent magnets. These materials are critical to the modern economy, including the production of electric vehicles, electronics, AI infrastructure, wind turbines, defense, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Founded in 2021, Cyclic Materials has rapidly progressed from technology development to commercialization. We currently operate facilities in Ontario and Arizona, with a new expansion underway in South Carolina. Backed by US$75 million in Series C financing led by T. Rowe Price, alongside strategic investors including Microsoft, Amazon, Hitachi Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover’s InMotion fund, Energy Impact Partners, ArcTern Ventures, and Fifth Wall, we are scaling to meet growing global demand for a secure and sustainable rare earth supply. We have established commercial partnerships with global industry leaders such as Solvay, Vattenfall, Lime, and VACUUMSCHMELZE, enabling the deployment of recycled rare earth materials into real world supply chains. In 2025, Cyclic Materials was named one of the Top 10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch by MIT Technology Review. We are growing quickly and building the industrial backbone required for a circular rare earth economy. Joining Cyclic Materials means working on complex and exciting challenges at scale, alongside a team committed to executing and delivering measurable impact. If you are motivated by building critical infrastructure and advancing the circular economy, join us and help accelerate the growth of rare earth recycling. We are seeking a strategic, hands‑on General Counsel to build and lead Cyclic Materials’ legal function during a pivotal phase of global expansion. This is a true builder role. As Cyclic’s first General Counsel, you will architect the legal foundation that supports innovative circular business models, cross‑border materials flows, and long‑term commercial partnershipsall while navigating evolving regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions. In the circular economy, materials can shift legal classifications at different points in the value chain. This role requires someone who is equally comfortable advising the board on strategic risk as they are diving into regulatory nuance, drafting contracts that anticipate change, and translating complex legal realities into practical business solutions.

Requirements

Dual-qualified lawyer with a JD or LLB, membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, and admission to one or more U.S. state bars.
10+ years of legal experience, with significant exposure to cross‑border commercial and regulatory matters.
Experience working in sustainability‑driven industries such as advanced manufacturing, cleantech, infrastructure, energy, or materials.
Demonstrated ability to operate across jurisdictions and legal systems; international experience is highly valued.
A practical, business‑oriented mindset with the ability to translate legal complexity into clear, actionable guidance.
A genuine passion for sustainability and circular economy solutions.

Nice To Haves

Deep comfort operating in regulatory “grey areas” where law, agency interpretation, and enforcement intersect.
Ability to understand technical, engineering, or materials science concepts and their legal implications.
Exceptional contract negotiation and redlining skills, with strong attention to detail.
Experience supporting fast‑growing, venture‑backed or scale‑up companies.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted legal advisor to the Executive Team and Board on legal, commercial, and strategic risk.
Shape Cyclic’s global legal strategy to support growth across multiple jurisdictions and regulatory regimes.
Establish governance frameworks, policies, and internal processes appropriate for a scaling, international company.
Support the company’s long-term path to a potential IPO, helping build the governance, compliance, disclosure, and legal foundations required for public-company readiness when the business is prepared to pursue it.
Interpret and translate evolving environmental, materials, and circularity regulations into actionable guidance for the business.
Advise on cross‑border movement of circular materials, including compliance frameworks governing transboundary shipments.
Navigate emerging regulatory regimes such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), “Right to Repair,” and product labeling and marketing laws.
Support permitting, materials classification, waste‑to‑value determinations, and carbon‑related legal frameworks as they apply to Cyclic’s technologies and operations.
Ensure all sustainability, environmental, and performance claims meet anti‑greenwashing standards across jurisdictions.
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including: Feedstock and offtake agreements, Product‑as‑a‑Service and long‑term supply arrangements, Technology licensing, joint development, and IP protection, Procurement, construction, services, and government or grant agreements.
Design contract structures that account for regulatory volatility, including robust change‑in‑law and risk‑allocation provisions.
Support equity and debt financings, strategic investments, and potential M&A activity.
Oversee contract management systems to ensure consistency, efficiency, and institutional knowledge as the company scales.
Build and manage a network of specialized external counsel across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Balance high‑quality legal advice with pragmatic, cost‑conscious decision‑making.
Develop the long‑term vision for an in‑house legal team as Cyclic grows.
Support corporate secretarial and governance matters, including board materials, resolutions, and equity administration (with flexibility to scale or delegate these responsibilities over time).