Corporate Paralegal - 18-month contract

Who We Are

With every job, there’s always the question of “why”. Why join a company? Why be part of their mission? Here, the why is easy. It’s because at some point, we’ve all needed someone there for us.

At the OTIP Group of Companies (OGC), we believe that something special happens when employees feel valued for the work they do, supported as the people they are, and included in the very fabric of the organization: they bring their best to work every day. And that's why we mean it when we say we put our people at the centre of everything we do. Join us as we grow our way into a future that reimagines what it means to deliver meaningful benefits support and service.

What You’ll Do:

Reporting to the Senior Corporate Counsel, you’ll be responsible for managing legal issues on an operational level to minimize legal risk exposures for OGC. This includes contract review, drafting of legal agreements, advising leaders on legal risks, and management of the legal review process and contract repository. The Corporate Paralegal is responsible for drafting and maintaining corporate records, including name searches, incorporation, minute books, resolutions, by-laws, and filings.

The core parts of your role will be to: 

• Reviews legal agreements (e.g., NDAs, Master Service Agreements, Loan Agreements, Leases, Data Sharing Agreements, Statements of Work, etc.) from third parties and advises project and business leads of legal risk exposures and recommended mitigations. Collaborates with project/business owners and external counsel to minimize legal risk exposure.
• Acts as an advisor to the business, identifying and assessing legal risks and managing legal expenses by overseeing the external counsel review process, determining the needs of the business prior to engaging external legal review, and identifying and implementing cost-reduction opportunities.
• Drafts complex documents and legal agreements to ensure clarity of business relationships, to establish rights and obligations of all parties, and to protect OGC’s interests and assets.
• Manages the legal intake and review process, ensuring the legal tracker status is updated and legal reviews are completed within the agreed upon turn around standard and appropriately maintained in OGC’s contract repository.
• Advises leadership on legal matters which include conducting research, interpreting legal and technical procedures, statutes, and regulations applicable to business practices, and drafting legal documents to minimize legal risk exposure.
• Ensures efficient and effective processes for legal reviews through process improvements and stakeholder education, including presentations, templates, resource materials, and speakers.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and policies to ensure appropriate knowledge management of legal issues impacting OGC and its core business practices.
• Drafts documents related to corporate legal administration (minutes, resolutions, by-laws etc.), and maintains corporate records, ensuring minute books are accurate and up to date. Engages external counsel as necessary, to ensure corporate records are maintained as per regulatory requirements.
• Engages with external counsel as necessary for expert legal opinions, management of files, and the review of invoices. Communicates legal issues and risks to project managers and business leaders, as required.
• Liaises with the Privacy Office, Operational Risk, Vendor Management and relevant business stakeholders to ensure data privacy, security and contractual compliance obligations are met within legal agreements.
• Collaborates with project managers and business leads to mitigate and resolve legal issues concerning agreements with external parties.
• Performs other duties within competence, as assigned.

Let’s Talk About You: 

This is the unique blend of skills and experience we would love to see in an ideal candidate:

• Licensed paralegal with five years’ experience in contract and corporate law, preferably in an insurance or financial institution, and in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Exceptional communication skills and the demonstrated ability to deal effectively with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of legal terminology, contract law and excellent knowledge of federal and provincial statutes and procedures relevant to areas of practice.
• Excellent time management, organization, and decision-making skills to prioritize tasks based on business need, risk, and impact.
• Able to take initiative and deliver high quality and quantity of work, occasionally under tight timelines, with minimal supervision and high attention to detail.
• Able to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, legal software, and tools for document management.
• The ability to communicate in French (verbal and written) is considered an asset.

We also consider your potential. If you know you have what it takes to do the job, but your experience doesn’t exactly match the qualifications above, we encourage you to apply and provide us with more details about why you think you would be a great fit.

Some of the Perks We Offer:

We offer best-in-class pension and benefits, total reward programs and comprehensive mental wellness supports to set you up for every success in and outside of work. Here are just some of the reasons you’ll love working here:

• Rewarding salary and bonuses that truly value your dedication
• Industry-leading group benefits with 100% premium coverage (excluding LTD) that start on your first day
• Defined benefit pension plan for a financially confident retirement
• 100% coverage of approved continuing education and licensing fees (including RIBO courses in Ontario)
• Flexible work-from-home and hybrid options
• Unlock your potential with opportunities for advancement

Let’s work together! If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply online.

OTIP and its group of companies strive to create an accessible and inclusive work environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Upon individual request, we will endeavor to remove any barrier to the recruitment and selection processes and provide accommodations for persons with disabilities.

As a business, we protect what matters most to our members. As an employer, we value what matters most in our workplace. Together, this includes fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all. We are committed to learning and evolving so we can continue to celebrate what makes us special. You are who you are, and our differences are what make us unique.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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