Senior Manager & Legal Counsel, Employment Law & Litigation

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan • Toronto, ON

64d • Hybrid

About The Position

Senior Manager & Legal Counsel, Employment Law & Litigation The Opportunity Ontario Teachers’ Enterprise Legal Services group is seeking a Canadian labour & employment and litigation lawyer (4–6 years’ experience) to join our highly collaborative and supportive team based in Toronto. Reporting to the Director & Senior Legal Counsel, Employment Law & Litigation, this role will primarily focus on Canadian labour and employment law matters, acting as a key advisor to People & Culture. The successful candidate will independently manage straightforward employment and general corporate/commercial litigation files while partnering closely with the Director & Senior Legal Counsel, Employment Law & Litigation and other senior lawyers on more complex, high-risk, or strategically sensitive matters in other areas. By joining a dynamic and experienced team of lawyers and legal professionals providing enterprise legal services across a broad range of areas, you will have the opportunity to engage in a diverse spectrum of files both on a litigation and enterprise project basis, while receiving strong mentorship and professional development by working with more senior colleagues. As well, with Ontario Teachers’ having offices in Dallas, San Francisco, New York, London, Singapore, and Mumbai and portfolio companies globally, this role also provides exposure to managing and supporting on cross-border enterprise-level and portfolio company disputes globally. Who you'll work with You will work closely with the Director & Senior Legal Counsel, Employment Law & Litigation in collaborating with and supporting various internal and external partners, including People & Culture, Marketing & Communications, Enterprise Legal Services, Investment Counsel, and Privacy and Compliance.

Requirements

• 4–6 years of progressive labour & employment and civil litigation experience, either in-house or in private practice.
• Strong grounding in Canadian (Ontario) employment law and litigation procedure, commensurate with your year of call.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing employment or litigation files, including working with and directing external counsel.
• Sound legal and business judgment, with the ability to assess risk and provide practical, solution-oriented advice.
• Proven ability to operate with a high degree of accountability and ownership over assigned matters.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and levels of seniority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable guidance.
• Called to the Bar of Ontario and in good standing.

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to grievance and arbitration processes considered an asset.
• Experience overseeing immigration matters considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical, business-oriented legal advice and hands-on support on Canadian employment and labour matters, including employee disputes, terminations, performance management and accommodations, workplace investigations, litigation and grievance and arbitration matters.
• Independently manage routine and moderately complex employment files from demand through resolution.
• Escalate complex, novel, or high-risk matters appropriately and support the Director in developing strategy.
• Assist in collective bargaining preparation, interpretation of the collective agreement, and grievance management.
• Draft and update employment policies, templates, and internal guidance materials.
• Monitor legislative and case law developments and advise on implications for the business.
• Oversee immigration matters for Canadian and global employees, acting as liaison with external immigration counsel.
• Manage straightforward employment and civil litigation files with external counsel oversight.
• Support the Director and other senior lawyers on complex litigation matters, including strategy development and risk assessment.
• Assist in managing pension-related disputes, including recovery matters.
• Implement and oversee legal holds, coordinate document preservation and collection, and advise on related legal obligations and risk exposure.
• Track litigation budgets and support cost-management efforts.
• Confidently manage straightforward employment matters independently.
• Demonstrate confidence in decision-making within scope of role, while exercising sound escalation judgment.
• Deliver well-developed, near-complete work product requiring limited revision.
• Build subject matter depth in Canadian labour and employment law, corporate/commercial litigation, and general enterprise matters.
• Build trusted, business-oriented relationships grounded in clear communication and an understanding of operational priorities.
• Exercise accountability for delegated work by monitoring progress, providing guidance where needed, and ensuring high-quality outcomes.
• Contribute positively to a collaborative, high-performing legal team.

Benefits

• Numerous opportunities for professional growth and development
• Comprehensive employer paid benefits coverage
• Retirement income through a defined benefit pension plan
• The opportunity to invest back into the fund through our Deferred Incentive Program
• A flexible work environment combining in office collaboration and remote working
• Competitive time off
• Our Flexible Travel Program gives you the option to work abroad in another region/country for up to a month each year
• Employee discount programs including Edvantage and Perkopolis

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed