Corporate Counsel

The Opportunity :

H&R Block Canada’s Legal Department is a small team with a wide range of complex responsibilities, priorities, and competing deadlines.

We develop and execute legal strategies in a fast-paced environment. Our team members need to be hands-on, independent self-starters with a roll-up-your sleeves approach coupled with a strategic mindset.

We pride ourselves on delivering solutions with a client-first focus to best achieve our business objectives.

Reporting to the Vice President, Legal, the Corporate Counsel is responsible for providing expert legal counsel and guidance to the organization in the areas of third-party contracts, privacy compliance, regulatory compliance, employment relations, franchise law, record retention & data governance, and litigation management.

You will play a critical role in ensuring the organization’s compliance with relevant laws and regulations, protecting the organization's interests, and mitigating legal risks.

Close collaboration and building working relationships with internal stakeholders is key to your success in providing strategic legal advice and support to business units, such as Human Resources, Procurement, Products & Services, Franchise & Operations, and IT, along with data governance departments.

This position is based in Calgary and offers a hybrid work schedule, with 3 days per week in-office.

Key Areas of Responsibility :

Third Party Contracts :

• Review, draft, negotiate, and manage a wide range of third-party contracts, including vendor agreements, service agreements, and other business contracts with increasing leadership and independence over time.
• Assess legal risks associated with third party contracts and develop strategies to mitigate those risks.
• Work closely with procurement teams to ensure contracts comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Provide legal advice on contract interpretation, dispute resolution, and enforcement.

Privacy :

• Develop, implement, and maintain privacy policies, practices, and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable data protection laws and regulations.
• Provide guidance on data privacy and protection issues, including data collection, processing, storage, and transfer.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to conduct privacy impact assessments.
• Review privacy incident assessments to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Stay updated on evolving privacy laws and regulations and ensure the organization remains updated and compliant.

Compliance and Risk Management :

• Monitor legal and regulatory developments related to all areas of law relevant to the business, assess potential impact on the organization and develop a comprehensive enterprise-wide compliance framework to address and implement compliance requirements across the organization.
• Conduct legal research and analysis to support informed decision-making and risk assessment while limiting spend on external counsel.
• Develop and deliver training programs on legal topics to educate Associates and promote awareness of legal risks and obligations.
• Draft and review corporate policies in all areas of the business, with a particular focus on record retention, data classification and legal hold policies.
• Oversee the record retention matrix and work closely with the business to advise on updates and implement any changes.

Employment Relations :

• Advise and support the organization on employment-related legal matters, including but not limited to employee contracts, policies, terminations, disciplinary actions, and compliance with employment laws and regulations.
• Assist with the resolution of employment disputes and provides guidance on appropriate actions and risk mitigation strategies.
• Stays updated on emerging trends and changes in employment laws and regulations to ensure the organization remains compliant.

Litigation Management

• Oversee pre-litigation matters and seek resolutions through active and prudent settlement discussions.
• Oversee litigation matters, human right tribunal matters and gather information across the organization to prepare and draft statements of defense.

Key Qualifications :

• Law degree (J.D. or LL.B.) and practicing member in good standing with a Canadian Law Society.
• At least 5-7 years of practice in a business environment (top-tier law firm plus in-house experience).
• In-depth knowledge of privacy regulations, data retention and data governance best practices, combined with practical experience in managing privacy incidents and safeguarding client information.
• Experience in drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements, with the ability to review and understand complex legal documents.
• Knowledgeable and experience advising on various areas of law including employment, advertising and marketing, litigation, and franchise.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities with the ability to communicate complex legal concepts effectively to non-legal stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to foster relationships across all levels of the organization with a commitment to learning and understanding the business.
• Strong ethical and professional conduct, with a commitment to confidentiality and integrity.
• Comprehensive understanding of IT data systems and emerging digital technologies.
• Leadership experience within the financial services sector an asset.
• Displays astute judgment and decision-making abilities and exhibits exceptional analytical aptitude in assessing situations and information.
• Ability to develop proactive and defensive legal strategies.
• Excellent English written and verbal communication skills.
• Preference given to applicants fully fluent in French.

Do you have a passion for Corporate Counsel, along with the skills and qualifications required for this GREAT opportunity?