Legal Counsel

Employment Type: Full-time Regular

City: Calgary, AB (YYC)

Posting Open Date: 10/08/2024

Posting Close Date: 10/22/2024 (Please note the posting will close at 9:59pm MST)

Why WestJet:

Every WestJet journey has the potential to enrich lives; a career with us is no exception.

WestJet arrived on the Canadian airline scene in 1996 and changed the industry for the better. We made air travel more affordable for Canadians and now we're going global.

Join us and love where you're going.

Please note:

Prior to submitting a job application internal candidates are required to advise their direct Leader.

Hybrid Work:
This is a hybrid work position in Calgary, Alberta and requires in-person collaboration at the WestJet Campus (22 Aerial Place NE) 3 days per week. This provides flexibility the remaining 40% of the work week. This hybrid work plan allows for critically important learning, collaboration and networking with our colleagues. Specific days in the office are agreed upon by the team.

As WestJet continues to grow and innovate within the aviation industry, we are seeking an in-house legal counsel with privacy and employment law experience to join our dynamic, high-performing legal team.

You will work alongside the Associate General Counsel, Employment & Privacy and assist in providing day-to-day and strategic direction and advice on privacy, human rights, and employment-related legal issues facing the WestJet Group. You will mainly work with the People & Culture, Commercial, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology teams assisting with all legal issues, including contract review, policy development, providing regulatory advice, and managing litigation and external counsel. You will act as counsel for WestJet in Canada Labour Code and Canadian Human Rights Act proceedings.

You will continue to strengthen an efficient and effective partnership between various business units and the legal team. You will have passion, positive drive, confidence, and agility and will combine your strong business acumen and strategic legal counsel to partner with other legal team members, all levels of the organization and external legal counsel. You should have a pragmatic and professional approach to challenging legal issues, take initiative, be able to adapt quickly to change and legal ambiguities, be able to establish and meet deadlines, and be a highly motivated, well-rounded self-starter with a high energy level. You should be able to effectively communicate sophisticated advice in a high-volume and fast-paced environment to a variety of our internal clients. In your cover letter, please tell us about an interesting recent privacy- or employment-related case that you think might be valuable to WestJet (limit your thoughts to a paragraph).

Key deliverables include:

• Support employment, privacy, commercial, digital and technology matters at WestJet and its affiliates;
• Provide pragmatic and timely advice to various departments and act as subject matter expert on cross-functional projects;
• Partner with the IT teams to provide direction on data breaches, data security, including cybersecurity and incident management and response, in compliance with all applicable privacy laws, rules and regulations;
• Partner with the commercial, IT, and other business units to advise on the interpretation and application of data protection rules and regulations and the drafting, negotiating, and reviewing of commercial agreements, policies, and procedures with privacy implications;

• Partner with the People & Culture team to provide direction on recruitment, discipline and performance management, terminations, accommodations and disability management, workplace investigations, health and safety, and policy development and implementation;
• Perform legal research and draft legal opinions on a variety of legal issues pertaining to employment and privacy law;
• Act as counsel for WestJet in matters related to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act , the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canada Labour Code, including preparing and drafting documents and conducting mediations and hearings;
• Conduct and/or oversee the handling of employment and privacy litigation files, including through instruction and management of external counsel;
• Represent WestJet in negotiations, mediations and discussions and other dealings with counterparties and governmental agencies;

• Provide general legal advice to all areas of WestJet and its affiliates.

Experience & qualifications:

• Must be a lawyer with at least 2 years of legal experience in a law firm or in-house counsel position and be a member in good standing of the Alberta Bar (or another provincial bar);
• Broad base of experience counseling privacy, security, breach notification, and incident response matters, preferably in the federal sector;
• Broad base of experience in employment and human rights law, preferably in the federal sector;

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact with different departments and management levels across the company;
• Proven ability to deal with complex privacy and employment issues involving multiple areas of the law and multiple jurisdictions;
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced environment with changing deadlines and priorities;
• Strong analytical, dispute resolution and problem-solving skills required;
• Committed team player who brings humour and humility to the job;

• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset.

The benefits of being a WestJetter:

WestJet provides all WestJetters with a competitive total rewards package. On top of that, we offer:

• A fun and friendly culture with colleagues who work together to win
• Travel privileges for you and your family, effective from your start date
• Savings and Benefit programs that are flexible to meet your specific needs

Think we are a fit? Apply now!

About WestJet Group of Companies

Together with WestJet's regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships.

Our Safety Promise

At WestJet, the safety and security of our people and our guests is a core value and at the heart of what we do. As safety and security is a shared responsibility, it is expected that you will use safe work practices to ensure your well-being and the safety of others.

WestJet recognizes that the use of Alcohol and Drugs can adversely impact a safe work environment and the well-being of others including guests, suppliers and the public, as well as place WestJet's operations at risk. All roles that are identified as safety sensitive are required to pass a Pre-Employment Alcohol and Drug Test as per WestJet's Alcohol and Drug Policy.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We embrace what makes us each unique, and what makes us uniquely WestJet. WestJet is committed to inclusiveness, equity, and accessibility and if you require accommodation during the selection process, please let our Talent Acquisition team know. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest in WestJet; however, only those candidates who are selected will be contacted.

For more information about everything WestJet, please visit WestJet.com.

#LI-AB2