Senior Legal Counsel

8+ years | Toronto

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is the statutory body responsible for regulating Ontario’s capital markets in accordance with the mandate established in the provincial Securities Act and the Commodity Futures Act. The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets and confidence in the capital markets, to foster capital formation, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk. This mandate is performed through policy, operational, and enforcement activities. The OSC also contributes to national and global securities regulation development.

We offer a diverse, fair, and flexible work environment and take pride in our challenging and rewarding work.

The Governance & Tribunal Secretariat is an advisory branch of the Ontario Securities Commission that provides legal advice, support, and education to the Commission’s Board of Directors and separately to the Capital Markets Tribunal’s Adjudicators. The Secretariat administers the OSC’s governance framework and Capital Markets Tribunal.

The Tribunal is an independent division of the Commission established by the Securities Commission Act, 2021. The Tribunal is the administrative tribunal that is assigned the power to conduct hearings under the Ontario Securities Act and the Commodity Futures Act and to independently determine all questions of fact or law in any proceeding before it under those Acts.

The Governance & Tribunal Secretariat is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel to provide strategic legal and governance advice, education, orientation, and support to the OSC’s Board of Directors, Board Committees, and senior management. This role will support the Board’s governance and regulatory oversight responsibilities, facilitate the review and approval of key regulatory initiatives, policies, priorities, and rules, and contribute to the continuous enhancement of the OSC’s governance framework and effectiveness.

What's in it for you?

• Make a meaningful impact by supporting the governance and oversight of Ontario’s securities regulator
• Work closely with the OSC’s Board of Directors, Board Committees, and senior leadership on complex and high-profile governance and regulatory matters
• Be part of a collaborative, professional, and highly respected team dedicated to governance excellence and organizational effectiveness
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of governance frameworks, policies, processes, and Board effectiveness initiatives
• Gain exposure to a broad range of legal, regulatory, governance, and strategic issues affecting Ontario’s capital markets

What will you do?

• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Corporate Secretary & Vice President, Board Directors, Board Committees, and senior management on governance matters, regulatory responsibilities, Board effectiveness, and emerging legal and governance issues.
• Lead end-to-end governance support for the Board and Board Committees, including governance planning, agenda development, meeting materials, advising during meetings, tracking deliverables, and ensuring effective follow-through on decisions and action items.
• Facilitate the Board’s review and approval of regulatory initiatives, policies, priorities, and rules by interpreting and applying relevant legislation, directives, policies, governance frameworks, and procedures to support effective decision-making and oversight.
• Identify, analyze, and provide recommendations on complex governance, legal, and organizational matters, including opportunities for process improvements, risk mitigation, policy enhancements, and governance framework development.
• Design and deliver Board orientation and continuing education programs, while researching and monitoring governance trends, emerging issues, and leading practices to enhance Board effectiveness and governance support services.
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion in managing confidential, privileged, and sensitive matters, and collaborate closely with Secretariat colleagues, Board Directors, senior management, and external stakeholders to support the OSC's governance and strategic objectives.

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who is passionate about governance excellence and supporting effective regulatory oversight. The successful candidate will possess strong legal, governance, and strategic advisory experience, along with exceptional judgment, professionalism, and relationship management skills. Candidates must possess a law degree (LL.B. or J.D.), be a lawyer licensee of the Law Society of Ontario in good standing, and have a minimum of eight years of relevant legal experience in the private or public sector, including significant experience advising on corporate governance matters.

In addition, you offer strong knowledge of corporate governance principles, board and committee practices, and corporate reporting requirements. You have experience providing governance-related legal advice to boards of directors and senior executives, supported by excellent legal research, analytical, and drafting skills. You possess strong communication, organizational, and stakeholder management abilities, with the judgment, discretion, and professionalism required to navigate complex and sensitive matters. Knowledge of Ontario securities law, the securities industry, and capital markets regulation is considered an asset.

The OSC has partnered with ZSA Legal Recruitment to support the recruitment process. To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your application no later than August 21, 2026 11:59 pm EST. If you have questions about the opportunity and/or process, please contact Warren Bongard at wbongard@zsa.ca. Ref. #LI34444.

The recruiting efforts for this role are intended to fill a vacant position.