The University of Winnipeg is hiring a full-time continuing Senior Counsel. The Senior Counsel’s primary role is to support the General Counsel in the delivery of legal services with particular emphasis in the areas of contract review, drafting and negotiation, intellectual property, corporate transactions, property, and regulatory compliance. The Senior Counsel may be required to conduct legal research and provide assistance in the provision of legal opinions as well as being responsible directly for provision of legal opinions and advice.
Responsibilities:
- Provides leadership, advice and strategic input to the Policy Analysis Team. Conducts performance appraisals and participates in recruitment and retention.
- Responsible for maintaining optimal efficiency and ensuring seamless operations and acts on behalf of the General Counsel (GC).
- Collaborates with external attorneys, governmental agencies, courts, and tribunals to address a diverse range of legal matters.
- Identifies urgent issues that require immediate attention and facilitates a resolution, escalating issues that requires the GC’s attention, where necessary.
- Assures that all legal matters within the General Counsel Office are accurately recorded and manages relevant policies, procedures, and processes.
- Is responsible for both the development of overall and specific strategic plans for the unit and participates in overall strategic planning for the General Counsel Office.
- Will be engaged on various matters and files as required and will assist in the provision of legal services that may span the full spectrum of areas of legal practice, will have some specialization in matters related to intellectual property; research and technology; policy development; contract services (drafting, negotiation, review and interpretation); and legal opinions mainly on University matters.
- Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating all types of agreements required to support the University’s operations including:
- Purchasing/Licensing Goods and Services from Others
- Providing Goods and Services to Others
- Inter-Institutional Agreements
- Property Agreements
- International Agreements
- Research Agreements
- Managing the annually prepared University Policy Agenda and ensuring the objectives are met.
- Assisting with the drafting of policies, by-laws, and regulations for approval by the Board of Regents, Senior Executive and the Senate. May support the development and the implementation of programs to encourage appropriate accountabilities, implement regular reviews, and promote compliance.
- May also be expected to provide education and training to promote compliance and understanding across the University.
- Provide legal advice to the Copyright Office regarding the University’s obligations.
- Responsible for the provision of legal advice to the Senior Information and Privacy Officer in the interpretation and application of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA).
- Advise and support the GC in discharge of the role of the designated head for the University under FIPPA and PHIA.
- Provide advice and support to the Senior Information and Privacy Officer in discharge of their responsibilities as Copyright Officer and in the interpretation and application of anti-spam legislation to the University.
- Responsible for preparation and presentation of the semi-annual Compliance Report to the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board.
- Monitor changes in federal and provincial statutes and regulations impacting University operations and ensuring that departments and academic units across the institution are alerted to those changes and accurately report compliance.
- Conduct legal research on a variety of issues.
- Provide instructions to external legal counsel on University legal matters, acts as liaison between the University and such legal counsel, and reviews and approves legal accounts before payment.
- Participation, by invitation, on standing, ad-hoc, or project committees.
- Regular written and oral reporting to the General Counsel.
- Supports the General Counsel managing the operational budget and external legal spending budget and resource requirements.
- Responsible for the management of their unit, including oversight of and defining strategic planning, programs, operations, human resources, budgetary and external services, and contract negotiation and review on behalf of the University.
- Leads and oversees the process improvement initiatives within the department.
- Identifies, develops, and implements simultaneous projects to increase the office efficiency and performance, as assigned.
- Assist in strategic decision-making and defining strategic plans and in the setting of priorities and policies for the General Counsel Office and monitoring compliance.
- Preparation of Budgetary submissions on behalf of General Counsel’s Office and meeting with Vice-President Finance & Administration and departmental officials.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws degree from a reputable Canadian university (or equivalent).
- A minimum of seven to ten years’ experience in the practice of law.
- Experience in working in both a unionized and non-unionized environment.
- Strong background and experience in the following areas of law: contracts, intellectual property, corporate/commercial law, privacy/access to information law.
- Legal skills, including: complex problem solving, outstanding legal research skills, complex drafting skills, broad knowledge of legislation and common law, effective verbal presentation skills, effective and persuasive writing skills.
- Office skills, including: efficient time-management, management of other employees and ability to efficiently delegate responsibilities, strong organizational skills, skills allowing for effective prioritizing of work, strong computer skills, project management skills.
- Ability to draft, review, and/or negotiate a wide variety of agreements and policy.
- Ability to provide complete, thoroughly researched, and accurate formal and informal legal opinions.
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing including ability to appear before and effectively communicate with higher level bodies including Committees of Board and Senate as well as Senior Executive, or external entities such as Ombudsman’s Office, lawyers, Judges etc.
- Ability to comprehend highly technical subjects (science, engineering, construction, etc.) which form the basis of agreements.
- Ability to effectively negotiate on behalf of the University.
- Ability to lead projects and copyright strategy initiatives.
- Ability to lead policy initiatives and to ensure policy objectives are met in timely manner.
- Ability to work independently, with little direction or supervision.
- Ability to work effectively in teams or committees, including the ability to lead such committees.
- Ability to work with a broad spectrum of University employees, from senior administrators to those in entry-level positions.
- Ability to exercise judgment and to support decisions made.
- Considerable proven financial management skills, including budget development and allocation.
- Knowledge of interpreting University policies, procedures and guidelines.
An equivalent combination of education, experience, skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered.
Condition(s) of Employment:
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
- A practicing member of, or eligible to be, a practicing member of the Law Society of Manitoba. (Any candidate who is not, at the time of application, currently a member shall be made an offer conditional upon obtaining membership within one year of the start date).
Note: The work described in this posting will be conducted in-person, with an opportunity to apply for Remote Work for up to two (2) days per week.
The salary range for this position will be from $112,748 to $142,826 annually.
The posting will remain open until filled.
The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons to confidentially self-identify at time of application.
The University of Winnipeg is committed to ensuring employment opportunities are accessible for all applicants. If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected].
The personal information of applicants is collected under the authority of the University of Winnipeg Act and 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected via the recruitment process is used to assess the applicant’s suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for employment, and to otherwise support recruitment activities. This information will be provided to participating members of the recruitment process. Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to the Director, HR Services, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9 or [email protected].
The University of Winnipeg has a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy that requires all those coming to designated indoor campus spaces to provide proof they are fully vaccinated. The Policy was suspended effective May 2, 2022. However, prospective employees should know that the Policy may be reinstated in the future based on changing public health circumstances.
