Our client is seeking a highly experienced Corporate Paralegal & Compliance Lead to act as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the business. This role is responsible for leading enterprise-wide corporate governance, compliance programs, and contract risk management across a growing and complex organization.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy and professional judgment, this individual will serve as the primary internal authority on corporate governance processes, ESOP administration, privacy compliance, contract management, and insurance coordination. The incumbent provides proactive guidance to executive leadership, supports Board and Committee governance, and ensures a strong, defensible legal and compliance posture in support of organizational growth.

This role acts as the first point of escalation for complex legal, contractual, governance, and compliance matters (prior to engaging external counsel) and plays a key role in evolving and strengthening the organization’s legal and compliance operating model.

This is a high-impact role for a seasoned professional who thrives in a leadership capacity and enjoys shaping governance and compliance frameworks within a dynamic organization.

OBJECTIVE

To lead and continuously improve corporate governance, compliance, and contractual risk management practices, ensuring adherence to legislative and regulatory requirements while enabling informed, timely, and defensible business decision-making.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Corporate Governance & Board Support

• Lead administration of employee option and share plans, including complex vesting, exercises, redemptions, and reporting implications
• Act as the primary internal expert on ESOP governance, working closely with Finance and ERG on tax treatment, controls, and reporting
• Lead Board and Committee governance processes including agenda development, materials coordination, minutes, resolutions, and action tracking
• Perform advanced corporate secretary functions under guidance, with a clear succession pathway into a designated Corporate Secretary role
• Oversee annual filings, corporate registries, subsidiary maintenance, and jurisdictional compliance in coordination with external counsel
• Lead or support internal investigations relating to compliance, conduct, or regulatory matters, ensuring appropriate documentation and escalation
• Support shareholder communications and regulatory disclosures with a high degree of accuracy, judgment, and confidentiality

Contract Governance & Commercial Risk Management

• Own and continuously improve the contract governance framework, including templates, playbooks, approval authorities, and lifecycle controls
• Lead complex contract drafting, review, negotiation support, and risk assessment for client, contractor, and strategic agreements
• Advise and train project leaders and managers on contract risk, obligations, flow-through conditions, and dispute mitigation
• Oversee tendering and procurement legal support for MSAs and strategic engagements
• Manage legal and contracts inboxes, exercising judgment on triage, escalation, and prioritization
• Maintain enterprise-wide contract registers, renewal controls, obligation tracking, and compliance documentation
• Collaborate with leadership to strengthen governance related to IP, trademarks, copyright, and confidentiality

Legal Advisory & Counsel Coordination

• Serve as a senior internal legal resource for commercial, governance, and compliance queries prior to escalation to external counsel
• Coordinate with external legal counsel on complex negotiations, disputes, litigation, and regulatory matters
• Conduct advanced legal and regulatory research and provide executive-level summaries and risk analysis
• Oversee maintenance of minute books, statutory records, and corporate resolutions across entities
• Lead operational implementation of privacy compliance programs under applicable legislation
• Maintain enterprise privacy policies, manage access requests, and proactively identify privacy risks in collaboration with IT and ERG

Risk Management, Insurance & Enterprise Compliance

• Lead coordination of corporate insurance programs including D&O, professional liability, and general liability
• Manage renewals, coverage analysis, claims coordination, and broker relationships
• Act as internal lead during insurance events, investigations, and claims, ensuring proper documentation and notification
• Maintain insurance schedules, certificates, and claims files with audit-ready rigor
• Support enterprise risk assessments related to contracts, governance, privacy, and regulatory exposure
• Ensure governance and legal compliance during investigations or high-risk events

Key Relationships

• Reports to the VP, Finance & Legal as a key advisor and delegated authority for governance and compliance matters
• Works directly with Executive and Senior Leadership to provide legal, governance, risk, and privacy guidance
• Partners with Board Members and Committees to support high-quality governance processes
• Works closely with Finance, IT, ERG, and Operations to integrate compliance into business practices
• Manages relationships with external legal counsel, regulators, and insurance brokers
• Advises project and operational leaders on risk identification and mitigation

CORE COMPETENCIES

Business Acumen (Advanced Level)

Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the operations related to a functional area or a major business or organizational segment. Understands and monitors internal and external developments and develops action plans or responses to ensure the achievement of business or organizational objectives. Works with external stakeholders to influence external factors (e.g., regulatory developments) to advance the agenda of the business or organization.

Managing Information (Expert Level)

Develops strategies and policies and defines the architecture required for maintaining, sharing and protecting information. Ensures that there are consistent standards in place across the organization to ensure data is compiled, stored, interpreted and protected in a consistent manner. Ensures all compliance requirements with respect to data reporting and record keeping are met. Develops strategies for fostering organizational learning and continuous improvement.

Problem Solving (Advanced Level)

Resolves complex, sensitive or contentious problems or issues that are typically cross-functional in nature. Applies advanced analytical tools and processes to dissect problems or issues and to identify broader patterns. Demonstrates the ability to think outside established norms or parameters and encourages others to look beyond conventional thinking. Supports others in resolving moderately complex problems or issues. Effectively engages multiple stakeholders in creating solutions and builds consensus when faced with competing agendas or divergent points of view.

Strategic Orientation (Advanced Level)
Translates business or organizational plans into objectives for a functional area or major business or organizational segment. Identifies the resources required to deliver on objectives and negotiates cross-functionally to secure these resources. Identifies opportunities to support organizational growth and enhance effectiveness. Anticipates challenges and develops contingency plans. Engages in medium-term planning and takes accountability to drive outcomes proactively.

Financial Management and Accountability (Advanced Level)

Develops business or financial plans and tracks progress against objectives. Identifies risks that could impact financial performance or service delivery and develops mitigation strategies. Understands and applies financial principles and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

Communication (Expert Level)
Prepares highly sensitive or high-impact business correspondence for senior internal and external stakeholders. Develops communication that has legal or financial implications and influences organizational perception. Delivers complex information clearly and professionally, ensuring understanding across audiences.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Paralegal designation with 12–15+ years of senior experience in corporate governance, compliance, and commercial contracting
• Proven experience supporting Boards and complex corporate structures
• Strong ability to operate independently and manage high-level legal and compliance matters
• Experience with corporate registries, governance systems, and regulatory frameworks
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Professional designations (e.g., AAPP, Governance Professionals of Canada) considered an asset

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Some local and occasional out-of-town travel may be required
• Standard office environment requiring extended periods of sitting
• Prolonged use of computer systems, including keyboards and screens
• Occasional requirement to work extended hours to meet business demands

Application

Candidates are asked to apply via LinkedIn or email their resume in confidence to Shona Tischner at: shona@urbanlegal.ca

At Urban Legal Recruitment, we guarantee discretion and confidentiality. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.