legal counsel

Job Summary:

The Legal Counsel, Canada Retirement will provide legal analysis, advice, counsel and direction to all areas of the Canada Retirement business (the “Business Unit” or “BU”).

Individual and Shared Accountabilities:

This role will provide comprehensive day-to-day legal support to the BU in all aspects of the business to ensure that the operations of the BU are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

In particular, Legal Counsel will:

• work closely with BU clients to understand the nature of the business and identify legal solutions that assist in advancing the objectives of the business while simultaneously anticipating and guarding against legal risk to the company;

• assist the BU to achieve its strategic business objectives through the provision of timely and effective legal advice, and simultaneously help to ensure that the company maintains its respected reputation with both regulators and the public;

• handle a wide variety of operational legal matters, including: day to day legal inquiries from all levels of the BU’s organization such as complex benefits, product (including pensions), investments, investigations, compliance and privacy; review and negotiation of Canada Retirement policies, including services agreements and agreements pertaining to the BU’s investment operations; review of marketing materials, internal and external communications pieces, request for proposals, etc.;

• provide legal advice and direction in any BU related projects as may be assigned by the Chief Counsel for Canada Retirement.

Job Requirement:

• Law degree and a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario or other province of Canada;

• Minimum two to six years’ post-call experience in private practice and/or with Manulife or other financial services company in an in-house role;

• Excellent analytical, interpretive and research skills;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills;

• Proven negotiation and influence skills;

• Thorough knowledge of and the proven ability to apply the BU’s relevant legal principles, practices and processes in a business environment and to make them meaningful and useful to clients;

• Able to build and maintain strong, trustworthy working relationships and to contribute to client satisfaction;

• Adaptability and flexibility both with respect to the nature of work and timelines;

• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team;

• Able to grasp new concepts and information quickly;

• Able to produce high quality work while under strict timelines;

• Proficiency in the use of technology relevant to Manulife's in-house legal practice;

• Understanding of inter-relationship between the legal and business functions of Manulife.

Competencies

• Demonstrated organizational skills, with the ability to balance work priorities in a fast-paced environment that requires constant assessment and the effective management of client expectations;

• Able to shift focus smoothly and adapt to changing circumstances with a positive and professional attitude;

• Display sound, practical judgment in assisting the BU, and must ensure that senior legal and business leaders are kept current on significant issues;

• Exceptional interpersonal/communication skills, especially written skills;

• Effective collaborator, with the ability to interact verbally and in writing with staff at all levels;

• Presentation and facilitation skills.

Job 70639