We are banking at another level.

Choosing BDC as your employer means working in a healthy, inclusive, and skilled workplace that puts forward the best conditions to bring together unique teams where employees are empowered to act. It also means being at the centre of ambitious economic and financial projects to see further and to do things differently, to fuel the success of Canadian entrepreneurs.

Choosing BDC as your employer also means:

• Flexible and competitive benefits, including an Employee Savings and Investment Plan where BDC matches part of your voluntary contributions, a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, a $750 wellness and health care spending account, to name a few   

• In addition to paid vacation each year, five personal days, sick days as necessary, and our offices are closed from December 25 to January 1

• A hybrid work model that truly balances work and personal life

• Opportunities for learning, training and development, and much more... 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Assistant General Counsel, reporting to the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, is responsible for providing legal advice to BDC's corporate functions on a diverse range of commercial and business matters. Additionally, the Assistant General Counsel plays a leading role in setting the Legal Affairs’ strategic priorities and oversees the timely and effective implementation of strategic projects and initiatives. The incumbent is also responsible for identifying and mitigating emerging legal and regulatory risks, with the objective of providing proactive advice and influencing strategic decision-making at all levels of BDC.

CHALLENGES TO BE MET

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

• As an active member of the Legal Affairs’ Management Committee, collaborate with other leaders of the department to ensure legal teams work efficiently to support the Bank’s business objectives, projects and strategic initiatives, including by sharing information and expertise and coordinating efforts towards common goals.

• Lead the development and implementation of the Legal Affairs’ annual strategic plan and ensure its alignment with the Bank’s priorities

• Contribute to talent and succession planning within Legal Affairs and support other leaders within the department to ensure that all resources are coached, have formal development plans and receive ongoing support and feedback in line with Legal Affairs’ culture.

• Develop and maintain strong internal and external networks.

CORPORATE FUNCTIONS

• Oversee the Legal Affairs' team that supports the Bank’s corporate functions, including compliance, risk management, procurement, HR, IT and Finance, especially as it relates to BDC’s renewed strategy and ambitions.

• Ensure business-oriented legal advice is provided proactively on a wide range of strategic and operational legal matters, including emerging legal and regulatory trends in areas such as privacy, data governance, open banking and third-party risk management.

SPECIAL PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES

• Oversee the Legal Affairs' Special Projects and Operational Performance team with the objective of increasing the impact, reach, and relevance of Legal Affairs throughout the organization and in support of internal and external partners.

• Nurture a culture of calculated risk-taking, innovation, and performance within Legal Affairs, and facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration between legal teams to leverage and develop internal expertise.

• Ensure that Legal Affairs maintains adequate reporting tools and dashboards to track projects, monitor and assess team workloads and to allocate responsibilities and resources efficiently while remaining in line with the Bank’s priorities.

• Develop and oversee the implementation of Legal Affairs’ initiatives regarding knowledge and data management, process improvement and use of digital tools.

• Provide technical expertise and professional advice to support the expansion of BDC's partnership programs, particularly for Indigenous and other underrepresented entrepreneurs.

• Act as the lead counsel to structure, negotiate and operationalize strategic partnerships and joint ventures, including the drafting of legal documentation.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in corporate and commercial law

• Significant experience leading and managing a legal team and working closely with executives

• Member of the Barreau du Quebec or of another provincial Bar

• Bilingualism, written and spoken, in French and English

• Management and leadership experience building and leading a high performing, highly engaged legal team set on achieving strategic goals

• Proven experience in leading a legal team through a transformation

• Creative and innovative with excellent business judgement

• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex and ambiguous information to provide actionable, business-oriented legal advice

• Excellent negotiation skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal and team-building skills

Proudly one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible environment where all employees can thrive and feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work. If you require an accommodation to complete your application, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

While we appreciate all applications, we advise that only the candidates selected to participate in the recruitment process will be contacted.