General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Burnaby, BC (Hybrid – Site Central)
BC Housing is a provincial Crown agency with an annual budget of over $2 billion (2022/23) and a portfolio of housing services and programs that assist approximately 120,000 households in over 300 communities provincewide. As such, we continually seek sustainable housing solutions that are supported by excellence in service delivery and research, and take into account social, financial and environmental impacts.
Our Office of General Counsel plays a mission-critical role within this complex environment by ensuring that BC Housing is in compliance with the law as it delivers on its important mandate. As General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, you’ll contribute to the achievement of business objectives by keeping current with legislative changes, industry best practices and legal trends that could impact BC Housing.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and to the Board of Commissioners, you’ll provide strategic leadership and legal advice for a broad range of corporate, governance, procurement, and financial matters. You’ll also be involved with risk mitigation and work closely with the Board, the CEO, the Executive Team and the management team to identify and leverage strategies to meet operational needs. Tasked with providing legal support to BC Housing’s Board of Directors and its Committees, you’ll oversee the governance framework and advise on governance issues and requirements.
This is a uniquely exciting opportunity to draw not only on your legal expertise but also on your extensive knowledge of BC’s residential development, design and construction sector, to provide legal advice, interpretation and recommendations on a broad range of business issues. Your informed counsel and insights will be sought in areas such as information technology business transactions, including contracts, IT licences, data-sharing agreements and technology transfers, the acquisition, leasing, development and disposition of real estate matters, complex negotiations with legal implications, and more. Supervising a team of staff, including excluded and bargaining unit employees, will be an integral part of your mandate.
QUALIFICATIONS
With current membership in good standing in the Law Society of British Columbia, or eligibility for membership within a specified period, a bachelor's degree and a Law Degree (LL.B or J.D.) from a recognized post-secondary institution and a licence to practise law in British Columbia, you have the solid foundation this executive role demands. These credentials are complemented by extensive experience related to in-house and/or external legal corporate law, commercial litigation and/or labour and employment law. Alternatively, you’ll have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience acceptable to the Employer.
The following competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities will also support your achievements as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary:
- A results- and service-oriented approach to leading and getting things done.
- Extensive knowledge of board governance and best practices, BC’s residential development, design and construction sector, the Homeowner Protection Act and associated Regulations, and proceedings in quasi-criminal hearings and civil court.
- Ability to learn and understand BC Housing’s mandate, programs and policies in delivering social housing programs and services throughout the province.
- Ability to draft and negotiate complex agreements, including service contracts, partnership agreements, public procurement documentation, and insurance provisions.
- Ability to explain complex legal issues to a wide range of internal and external audiences.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with private and non-profit partners, government agencies, external legal counsel, associations/councils and other key stakeholders.
- Ability to lead, coach, motivate and develop staff in a team environment.
- Ability to exercise sound judgement and make difficult decisions independently.
- Strategic and analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Effective communication, presentation, consultative and consensus-building skills.
- Extensive skill in researching and investigating issues, determining facts, applying law and policy, and making reasoned analyses.
- A Criminal Record Check is required.
To view the Job Description and to apply for the role of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, visit https://www.bchousing.org/careers/current-opportunities. When applying, please submit a cover letter and your application as a single Word or pdf file.
BC Housing—one of BC's Top Employers for 2023 and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for 2022—is the provincial Crown agency that develops, manages and administers a wide range of subsidized housing options for those most in need across the province. Share in the rewards of working with an organization that offers challenging work and competitive compensation and supports the growth and development of its people.
At BC Housing, we're committed to providing a healthy, safe and inclusive workplace where respect and diversity are recognized assets. We value lived experience and invite applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, People with Disabilities and Disabled People, persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and all people committed to meaningful work that makes a difference. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you require accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact hr_admin@bchousing.org. Indigenous candidates are welcome to connect with an Indigenous leader in our organization to discuss this opportunity and our organization; please contact hr_admin@bchousing.org to arrange a call.
BC Housing thanks all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted. This position is only open to those legally entitled to work in Canada.