Legal Counsel II

Ontario Securities Commission • Toronto, ON

10d

About The Position

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is a statutory body responsible for regulating Ontario’s capital markets, protecting investors from unfair practices, fostering fair, efficient, and competitive capital markets, promoting capital formation, and contributing to financial system stability. This mandate is achieved through policy, operational, and enforcement activities, and the OSC also contributes to national and global securities regulation development. The OSC offers a diverse, fair, and flexible work environment, emphasizing challenging and rewarding work. The Registration, Inspections and Examinations (RIE) division oversees dealers, advisers, and investment fund managers, focusing on initial and ongoing registration and compliance examinations using a risk-based approach. The RIE division consists of integrated, multi-disciplinary teams including professional staff (chartered professional accountants and lawyers), registration officers, and support staff. The OSC is currently hiring for a permanent, full-time Legal Counsel to join the RIE team. This role is considered a business-critical position supporting the Registration, Inspections and Examinations Division. The OSC fosters a collaborative culture, aiming to deliver strong investor protection and confidence in capital markets, and provides opportunities for learning, innovation, and professional growth in a supportive, stimulating workplace. As an independent Crown agency, the OSC regulates Ontario’s capital markets by making rules and adopting policies, carrying out its powers under the Securities Commission Act, 2021, and administering and enforcing Ontario’s Securities Act, Commodity Futures Act, and certain provisions of Ontario’s Business Corporations Act.

Requirements

• A membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• A minimum of 5 years relevant securities/industry experience post call to the Bar
• A strong understanding of the Canadian regulatory environment and securities legislation
• Demonstrated proficiency in balancing regulatory objectives with practical business considerations
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, research and seek out new information, analyze and anticipate obstacles and potential risks and develop appropriate recommendations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to speak and write clearly, concisely and persuasively
• Excellent research and legal drafting skills
• Strong analytical skills allowing you to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals
• Demonstrated ability to establish collaborative working relationships and engage with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate various aspects of projects and policies with appropriate staff within the organization

Responsibilities

• Work in a multi-disciplinary team and advise on the registration regime in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations and related instruments
• Act as a legal resource on registration and compliance issues to other staff and industry participants
• Support other OSC divisions in policy initiatives affecting registrants
• Participate in compliance reviews of registrants to determine if they are in compliance with securities laws, and negotiate effectively with Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), government, and stakeholders to reach a resolution on issues
• Assist with drafting timely guidance and risk alerts to the industry

Benefits

• diverse, fair, and flexible work environment
• challenging and rewarding work
• opportunities to learn, innovate and grow professionally in a supportive, stimulating workplace
• committed to diversity and providing an inclusive workplace and providing accommodation in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Human Rights Code
• employment opportunities are visible and barrier-free to all under-represented groups including but not limited to, Indigenous, Black and racialized groups, people with disabilities, women and people from the 2SLGBTQI+ community, to achieve an employee demographic profile reflective of the demographic profile of Ontarians

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree