Senior Legal Counsel Full-time Job

Reporting to the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, the Senior Legal Counsel provides strategic legal advice to BC Housing. He/she/they are involved with risk mitigation and work closely with the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Board, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Team, and the management team to identify and leverage strategies to fulfill operational needs. The position will provide reporting to the Executive Committee, Board of Commissioners, staff, and other relevant stakeholders.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The successful candidate will have the following:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• A Law Degree (LL.B or J.D) from a recognized post-secondary institution and a license to practice law in British Columbia. 
• Member in good standing of the Law Society of British Columbia or eligible for membership within a three (3) month period of accepting the position. 
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in an in-house and/or external law setting. 
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience acceptable to the employer.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge of existing federal and provincial common law and legislations that impact BC Housing’s operations. 
• Extensive knowledge of interpreting regulations, policies, and statutes. 
• Ability to learn and understand BC Housing’s mandate, programs, and policies in delivering social housing programs and services throughout the province. 
• Ability to explain complex legal issues and provide recommendations to address issues to a wide range of audiences within and outside of BC Housing. 
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with private and non-profit partners, various government agencies, external legal counsels, various associations/councils, and other key stakeholders. 
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make difficult decisions independently. 
• Ability to deal with sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality. 
• Ability to lead and manage a number of complex files, initiatives, and demands concurrently. 
• Excellent leadership, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent consultative, facilitation, consensus-building, and conflict-resolution skills. 
• Excellent research and investigative capabilities to determine facts and apply law and policy, and reasoned analysis skills. 
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, negotiating and conflict-resolution skills. 
• Strong strategic and analytical thinking. Extensive knowledge of Court Rules and Civil Procedures. 
• Strong knowledge and in-depth understanding of First Nations legal issues, specifically in relation to treaties, land claims, and management, legislation, First Nations government and governance. 
• Criminal Record Check is required.

Real Estate and Development Focus

Works in collaboration with with Development Asset Strategies team on community revitalizations, residential development projects, real estate financings, and construction matters.

Provides legal advice and assistance on a wide assortment of general real estate matters including commercial leasing, purchase and sale, secured financing, mortgage re-financings, real estate development, construction, and license agreements.

BC Housing is a provincial Crown Corporation that develops, manages and administers a wide range of subsidized housing options for those most in need across the province to address critical gaps across the housing continuum ranging from emergency shelter through to rent assistance in the private market and affordable home ownership. 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.
Our mission is to provide access to safe, quality, accessible, and affordable housing options. We do this to promote strong, inclusive communities where people can thrive.
BC Housing offers competitive salaries and an excellent benefits package. But a job is more than a pay cheque. We also offer our staff the opportunity to work together to make a difference. When employees go home at the end of the day, they experience the satisfaction of knowing theyve helped provide safe, affordable housing for British Columbians. And while theyre here, employees can take advantage of many opportunities:
In-house training, and training at other institutions, for courses related to employees current positions or to prepare them for advancement within BC Housing.
Wellness programs including physical fitness, programs to help employees quit smoking, free flu shots, mental health resources, and lunch-and-learn lectures and seminars.
Recognition programs including long-term service awards, idea recognition and outstanding performance awards.
Livegreen incentives include an employee transit pass program, and other initiatives that encourage alternative, sustainable transportation (even a bike purchase program!).
An active Social Club that organizes special events like seasonal parties and arranges group discounts to other events.
Participation in community and charitable events.