Executive Vice President, General Counsel

Starlight Investments, in conjunction with WP Osborne Executive Search, is seeking an Executive Vice President, General Counsel to lead their legal team.

Executive Vice President, General Counsel

The Executive Vice President, General Counsel will bring a deep understanding of corporate law and private equity, and will provide strategic legal guidance to our executive team, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and overseeing corporate governance.

Additionally, this role will involve managing and executing investment activities. The position demands a proactive approach to risk management and the ability to navigate complex legal landscapes, contributing to the overall success and integrity of the company.

Strategic Legal Advisory

• Provide expert and strategic legal advice to the CEO and executive team;
• Participate in the development of corporate strategy, ensuring legal considerations are integrated into business planning and decision-making;
• Conduct thorough due diligence investigations to assess the legal, financial, and operational status of target companies.

Identify potential risks and issues that may impact the transaction.

Team Leadership and Culture Champion

• Lead, mentor, and develop the legal team, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement;
• Promote the high ethical standards of the company and empower others to do the same;
• Promote the company’s culture objectives and empower others to do the same;
• Manage departmental budget and resources effectively.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Assist the executive team in managing a broad group of internal and external stakeholders, including external legal firms and consultants;
• Serve as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders on legal and business matters;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external legal advisors, regulators, and industry associations;
• Ensure all communications with external stakeholders are legally compliant and align with corporate policies.

Real Estate Transactions

• Advise on the structuring of transactions or purchaser entities to optimize legal, tax, and financial outcomes. This includes determining the most suitable deal structure;
• Provide risk-adjusted business and legal advice on a wide range of complex real estate transactions including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and other strategic transactions;
• Negotiate and draft complex real estate agreements, joint ventures, and partnership agreements;

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure the company's operations comply with all applicable laws and regulations including SEC regulations and stock exchange listing requirements;
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to mitigate legal risks and ensure compliance with legal standards;
• Monitor and manage the company’s compliance programs and conduct regular audits;
• Collaborate with the Risk & Insurance team to identify, assess and manage legal risks associate with the company’s operations, contracts and activities;
• Provide legal support in managing claims, including assessing the validity of claims, determining potential liabilities and negotiating settlements;
• Oversee securities law compliance and filing requirements for the company and its investment vehicles.

Corporate Governance

• Oversee corporate governance matters, including the management of board meetings, minutes, and corporate records;
• Advise on matters related to corporate structure, governance, and the responsibilities of directors and officers and maintain up to date record keeping;

International Law

• Conduct in-depth legal research to stay up-to-date with international laws, treaties, and regulations and analyze legal precedents and relevant case law to provide informed recommendations;
• Draft, review, and negotiate international agreements and ensure compliance with international legal standards and protect the interests of the company;
• Conduct due diligence investigations on international transactions and partnerships and assess potential legal risks and provide guidance on risk mitigation.

Business Structure & Tax Planning

• Oversee the implementation of new business structures and associated tax planning strategies and implications;
• Draft shareholder agreements and review legal documents provided by potential investors;
• Assess impact of shareholder agreements on existing contracts with external stakeholders or financial institutions;
• Draft and review subscription agreements detailing terms, rights and obligations of potential investors and the company ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and company objectives.

Litigation Management

• Oversee the management of all litigation and disputes involving the company;
• Coordinate with external legal counsel and represent the company in legal proceedings as necessary.

Contract Management

• Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of all company contracts, including Starlight’s development pipeline, to ensure compliance and protect the company's interests;
• Develop and maintain contract management systems and processes.

Regulatory Affairs

• Stay abreast of regulatory developments affecting the real estate investment industry and communicate implications to senior management;
• Interface with regulatory bodies and industry groups as needed.

Qualification

• The successful candidate will possess a university degree in Law (LLB or JD) and experience in securities and / or corporate law;
• a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario; a strategic, proactive approach to risk management and an ability to navigate complex legal landscapes;

superior leadership aptitude to guide / mentor a diverse team of professionals, set direction, priorities and see projects through to completion respecting firm timelines.

Application

Qualified candidates can submit their resume via .

Starlight Investments

Starlight Investments is a leading global real estate investment and asset management firm. Established in 2011 and privately owned, Starlight has grown to a dynamic team of 360+ professionals who manage over $25 billion of direct real estate and real estate investment securities.

Offering a range of investment vehicles across various real estate strategies, we are a developer and asset manager of over 77,000 multi-residential suites and over 9 million square feet of commercial property space.

Holding Canada’s largest portfolio of multi-family assets, we have a strong focus and commitment to creating a positive impact for our communities.

To learn more about Starlight, please visit www.starlightinvest.com or follow the company on .

Starlight’s People Value Proposition

• Diverse multi-generational workforce
• Competitive and equitable compensation
• Employer matching Group Retirement Savings Plan
• Comprehensive benefits packages including Health and lifestyle spending accounts
• Maternity leave top-up
• Leadership and mentorship programs
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Investment opportunities in Starlight funds
• Seasonal office hours
• Annual company-wide volunteer day (Impact Day)
• Award-winning Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Strategy
• Personal and Cultural days
• Designated CPA Training Facility

Starlight’s total compensation framework is comprised of annual base salary, discretionary bonus and company benefits such as medical and wellness, Group RSP and other incentives.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Starlight is dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse communities that the company operates in.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities, including but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (racialized), Black, Indigenous Peoples and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation.

Environmental Social Governance (ESG)

As one of the largest rental housing providers in Canada, Starlight’s focus on ESG is aligned with the company’s broader purpose to invest with impact and drive social and economic growth through real estate.

This focus shapes business operations and influences interactions with employees, investors, partners and communities.

WP Osborne Executive Search

WP Osborne is a privately-owned search firm delivering full-service recruitment expertise for over 20 years to a broad range of clients in the real estate industry.

Our expertise extends across every major asset class including multi-residential, office, industrial, retail, mixed-use, condo, hotels, and senior living across the functions of asset management, investments, development, construction, leasing, property management, portfolio management, finance, marketing, IT, HR and strategy.

Reference #1371 Executive Vice President General Counsel