Legal Counsel (Full-Time, Permanent)

Toronto Pearson is transforming. Now’s the time for your career to fly.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is a unique and dynamic place to work, with a bold plan to make Toronto Pearson, Canada’s leading global hub airport, a global leader in airport performance, customer care and sustainability. Together with our partners, approximately 1,900 GTAA employees are working to create a next-generation airport by innovating in all we do and striving for the most uplifting, safe and efficient experience for our passengers – all while championing the prosperity of our people, the community we call home, and our aviation partners.  Join us on our journey together, as we put the joy back into travel and make Toronto Pearson the chosen place to fly and work.

What's in it for you?

• An opportunity to grow, develop, and thrive within a dynamic, and fast-growing company alongside thoughtful and passionate individuals dedicated to their work and community  
• Comprehensive benefits, including:
• Extended Health including prescription drugs and paramedical
• Health Spending Account
• Accident and Life Insurance
• Dental
• Long Term Disability Coverage
• Retirement & Savings Program
• Paid vacation
• Extended Health including prescription drugs and paramedical
• Health Spending Account
• Accident and Life Insurance
• Dental
• Long Term Disability Coverage
• Retirement & Savings Program
• Paid vacation
• A flexible hybrid work environment, continuous internal and external learning opportunities, and a meaningful reward and recognition program

What can you expect from this position?

The Legal Counsel provides business-oriented, value-added, strategic, timely, legal advice to the GTAA. The incumbent will advise the GTAA directly and work collaboratively with other legal counsel (internal or external) when a matter is highly complex.  The Legal Counsel will support a wide range of legal matters impacting the business including complex and sophisticated transactions, and regulatory matters (e.g. health and safety). This role directly supports the Pearson Standard Program – the GTAA’s set of comprehensive internal and external operational and service standards. Legal Counsel also supports the Corporation in overseeing compliance with aviation regulations, the Ground Lease and applicable laws/legislation and works collaboratively with others to prepare the corporation’s extensive public disclosure filings (e.g. AIF, MD&A, Annual Report).

As Legal Counsel, You Will:

• Advise all levels of the GTAA about legal matters including providing strategic and other transaction advice, review, draft and manage a wide range of complex legal agreements, and providing timely, sound and concise oral and written advice so that business leaders can manage legal risks relative to the business opportunity or threat, with respect to:
• Health and Safety
• Contract matters/negotiations
• Procurement/competitive tenders and requests for proposal
• Litigation and claims management
• Air travel and aerodrome regulation
• Regulatory and Compliance
• Other matters, as required
• Oversight and continuous support of the Pearson Standard Program, - including the governance of the Program, document updates, and enforcement of the Rules and Regulations.
• Lead the GTAA’s board regulatory compliance reporting program including regulatory monitoring and reporting to the Executive Team and Board of Directors.
• Manage the Legal Department’s response to emergency events including aviation disaster recovery, evidence collection, and litigation management.
• Oversee and implement the GTAA Policy Governance Framework governing the Corporation’s policies.
• Draft documentation and otherwise facilitating the provision of legal advice, closing transactions or settling claims.
• Research, test, and implement methods for improved legal service delivery.
• Keep abreast of changes and give general legal information to employees to improve awareness of legal issues relevant to the corporation’s business and processes and to assist employees in the performance of their duties, including through in-person presentations, regular newsletters and intra-net posts, and off-the-shelf legal memoranda for frequently asked questions.
• Identify where the support of specialized external counsel is required and provide instructions to and oversight of external counsel, including management of budgets.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and guidance to team members, fostering innovation, collaboration, and a positive work environment.
• Support Senior Legal Counsel on major strategic initiatives and cross trains for coverage and growth.
• Health and Safety
• Contract matters/negotiations
• Procurement/competitive tenders and requests for proposal
• Litigation and claims management
• Air travel and aerodrome regulation
• Regulatory and Compliance
• Other matters, as required

This is the role for you, if you have:

• University degree in Law (LL.B or J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• 4 years of experience as a private practice attorney with a leading law firm or as in-house counsel for a leading corporation or both.
• Strong legal and analytical skills, including a proven ability to provide practical, solution-oriented advice and a strong attention to detail.
• Experience enforcing and adjudicating rules and regulations in an aviation setting.
• Experience developing legal programs including the governance documentation, key performance indicators, and reporting to senior management. Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated capacity to build consensus, engage with stakeholders, and deliver superior public speaking.
• Experience developing and implementing corporate emergency response policies, including evidence collection, litigation management, and reporting to stakeholders.
• Leadership and management expertise, with experience mentoring students and managing legal assistants and law clerks to achieve results.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities, including the capacity to work independently in a fast-paced, multi-task environment with changing priorities.
• Ability to obtain and retain a Transportation Security Clearance.

Salary: $141,814.40 - $166,500.00 per annum, based on 40-hour work week. This is individually tailored to reflect your unique experience, qualifications and internal equity. Performance-Based Incentive: Eligible for an annual bonus target of up to 20% of your annual salary.

• Language requirements: English
• Business address: 3111 Convair Drive, Toronto AMF, ON, L5P 1B2
• Main location of work: 5915 Airport Road, Mississauga, L4V 1T1

The GTAA is committed to Employment Equity and maintaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive