Legal Counsel, Corporate services

Position details: Full-Time Salaried

Position title: Legal Counsel, Corporate services

Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Legal Counsel, Corporate services to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.

NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, we have brought people together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.

NCC recognizes that we work on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. We are committed to transforming how we do our work, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways.

Position Summary

NCC is seeking a Legal Counsel to join its in-house legal team. Reporting to the Chief Legal/General Counsel, the Legal Counsel role acts as a business partner to NCC’s operating units and is responsible for providing legal support on a wide range of matters relating to the organization’s operations. A major focus for this position will include drafting, reviewing and assisting operating unit managers and directors in the negotiation of commercial contracts for a variety of services and drafting, reviewing and assisting with the drafting of conservation agreements with landowners.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and review service contracts (including providing assistance with specifications), partnership agreements and other legal agreements and correspondence related to managing NCC lands as well as other functional services in areas such as marketing & development, public affairs & communications, IT, finance and HR;
• Develop, draft, maintain and continuously improve contract templates, policies, procedures and associated legal support documentation to meet regulatory requirements and improve internal workflows
• Consult with and advise relevant staff regarding the assessment of land securement approaches and address issues and concerns related to individual transactions;
• Prepare and review securement-related legal documentation (eg. land donations, land purchases, conservation agreements) and support processes to ensure documents are complete, meet deadlines and protect the interests of NCC;
• Provide “triage” legal support for Operating Unit staff, distinguishing issues based on urgency, importance to NCC, risk, cost and quality of result;
• In conjunction with the General Counsel, support management of complex legal files and support key relationships across NCC’s operations including those with Indigenous communities and government partners.
• In conjunction with internal clients and the in-house legal team, manage the referral of issues to outside counsel as required to effectively balance NCC risk, client service and overall costs to the organization.
• Provide training or coordinate externally supported training, from time to time, for internal teams.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) degree and admission to the bar of at least one province or territory.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a law firm or in-house including in the following areas: Commercial contracting for a broad range of supply and professional services agreements. Real estate law and real property conveyancing including experience in negotiating and drafting agreements of purchase and sale and other legal documents related to the acquisition and management of real estateExperience related to conservation agreements, commercial and residential tenancies, mining law, liability issues and / or civil litigation preferred.Experience with Indigenous and charitable donor relationships would be an asset.
• Creative problem solver with sound judgement in identifying solutions to complex legal and risk management issues
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) with ability to explain issues concisely to audiences with varying degrees of subject knowledge
• Understanding of the subtleties of working in a functional support capacity within a large multi-provincial organization, including the need to influence leaders, build relationships, and provide superior support to staff in their delivery of effective operations.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and manage a high volume of files and transactions effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to succeed, thrive and adapt in a constantly changing environment
• A genuine passion and connection to nature, with a strong commitment to the cause and mission of NCC.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and land management systems
• Bilingual (French/English) is an asset
• A limited amount of travel within Canada will be required.

Application Deadline

December 15, 2025 | 11:59pm EST, 9:59pm Mountain Time, 8:59pm Pacific Time, 10:50pm CST, 00:59 am +1 AST

At NCC, we're committed to providing a healthy, safe, barrier free and inclusive, workplace, where respect and diversity are recognized assets. We strive for bold conservation achievements in which equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are the norm. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. NCC implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, contact us by email at to make any required arrangements. If you have questions regarding accessible employment at NCC, please email us at .