Senior Legal Counsel

At Hydro Ottawa, we empower the lives of the people in the communities we serve.

As the electricity distributor to the Nation's Capital, our work powers the essential activities that make up our lives - at home, at work and at play. And as Ontario's largest municipally-owned producer of green power, we are leading the way to a greener tomorrow.

We are seeking a Senior Legal Counsel, a strategic thinker who can take initiatives from concept to completion and engineer the way to a smart energy future.

Are you ready to make a difference in our community?

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Legal Counsel is responsible for contributing to and implementing the legal team's strategic direction through leadership and mentoring, managing escalated legal and customer-related cases, and providing strategic legal counsel on corporate governance, privacy, transactional, and regulatory compliance matters. The Senior Legal Counsel also contributes to the long-term strategic vision and priorities for the legal team. The Senior Legal Counsel advises the executive management team, and undertakes a leadership role in sensitive legal matters.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a legal subject matter expert to senior management and employees of Hydro Ottawa and its subsidiaries.

• Provide strategic legal and operational advice on all facets of Hydro Ottawa's business to a variety of client groups including management, business development, engineering, information technology, generation, energy services, telecom, facilities, supply chain, marketing, and customer relations.

• Serve as a senior advisor in strategic planning and advisory activities.

• Draft, negotiate and finalize complex commercial agreements including agreements of purchase and sale, asset transfer agreements, construction agreements, service agreements, procurement, leases, licences, partnership agreements, shareholder agreements, and sales agreements.

• Represent and oversee the representation of Hydro Ottawa in the advancement and defence of claims, including preparation of court documents, pleadings and advocacy in hearings before courts and tribunals.

• Oversee and provide direction to external counsel retained to represent Hydro Ottawa and its subsidiaries on specific transactions including the acquisition and disposal of significant assets and the undertaking of new business initiatives.

• Serve as a people leader relative to Legal Counsel and other members of the Legal team, as required.

• Participate in the oversight of the governance functions of Hydro Ottawa and its subsidiaries including the creation of affiliated legal entities to carry out new business activities.

• Lead the Legal team's provision of advice, preparation of documents and reporting duties in relation to access to information requests and privacy complaints and breaches.

• Provide strategic and legal advice and review with respect to the development of corporate policies.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree

• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario and licensed to practice law in the Province of Ontario

• Minimum of 5 years' professional legal experience with an emphasis on commercial law matters

• Experience in dealing with competitive solicitation processes for the procurement of goods and services

• Experience with drafting and negotiating buy-side and sell-side contracts

• Experience overseeing the corporate secretary function for a large corporation

• Experience overseeing public issuances of debt securities

• Experience in the acquisition and financing of business assets

• Knowledge of privacy and access to information laws and any privacy-related qualifications (e.g. International Association of Privacy Professionals designation) considered an asset

• Litigation experience

• Knowledge overseeing governance matters and functions

• Experience in utility service areas considered an asset

• Strong computer skills; proficient in the use of office productivity and collaboration tools, preferably G Suite

• English essential, both oral and written; Bilingual (English/French) considered an asset

This is a management group opportunity and salary will be commensurate with qualifications.

Hydro Ottawa offers a Hybrid Work Model. Hybrid work is position specific, the details of which the hybrid model will be discussed with successful candidates.

Hydro Ottawa Limited may use artificial intelligence ("AI") during the recruitment process to aid in the screening and selection of candidates.

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This position is eligible for variable pay

Posting End Date (if applicable):

Hydro Ottawa is committed to establishing a qualified workforce that reflects the diverse population it serves and we encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We are also committed to preventing and removing barriers to employment for people with disabilities, and we invite you to inform us should you have any accessibility or accommodation needs.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.