General Counsel

Role: General Counsel

Type: Full-Time, Executive Leadership

Location: Flexible across Canada. HQ is Halifax/St John's.

Application: Interested candidates should apply through LinkedIN or can submit a CV and statement of interest to ***email_hidden*** by July 24, 2026.

THE HORIZON GROUP OF COMPANIES / ARCTIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (AEDC)

Be part of an unmatched opportunity to deploy your talents and passion toward strengthening Canada's economy and sovereignty.

This role provides legal leadership across the Horizon Group of companies and will work closely with executive leadership to help build the legal, governance and commercial foundations of a rapidly growing Canadian enterprise.

The Horizon Group of Companies are partnered together through investment and leadership from Horizon Atlantic Capital and represent a diversified group of companies spanning maritime services, naval engineering, Arctic development and new venture investment. It is an entrepreneurial platform designed to accelerate the multi-use projects, industries, partnerships and Indigenous inclusion essential to Canada's economic growth and sovereignty.

AEDC is currently recruiting on behalf of the Group, as particular focus will include supporting AEDC, Canada's dedicated Arctic infrastructure and logistics services provider. AEDC works alongside governments, Indigenous organizations and industry partners to develop and deliver transformative infrastructure and economic development opportunities across Northern Canada.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Horizon Group and AEDC are seeking an exceptional General Counsel to serve as the principal legal advisor to executive leadership and the boards of the Group's companies.

This is a highly strategic role combining traditional corporate legal responsibilities with active participation in the growth of the business. The successful candidate will help establish governance frameworks across a growing family of companies while supporting acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic partnerships, Indigenous commercial arrangements, financing transactions and major project development.

The General Counsel will be expected to operate as a trusted business partner—bringing practical judgement, commercial instincts and a solutions-oriented approach to helping the Group grow responsibly.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Corporate Governance

• Serve as principal legal advisor to executive leadership and company boards
• Design and maintain governance frameworks across multiple operating companies
• Manage board processes, corporate records and regulatory compliance
• Develop enterprise policies supporting governance, ethics, delegations of authority and decision-making

Corporate Development & Transactions

• Lead legal support for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and strategic investments
• Structure joint ventures, Indigenous partnerships and complex commercial relationships
• Coordinate external legal counsel and oversee transaction execution
• Support due diligence, negotiations and post-acquisition integration

Commercial & Project Support

• Lead negotiation of major commercial agreements
• Develop standard contract templates and commercial playbooks
• Advise project teams on procurement, risk allocation and contract strategy
• Support infrastructure development, engineering, maritime and logistics activities

Enterprise Risk Management

• Establish enterprise risk management and compliance processes
• Oversee insurance strategy and contractual risk allocation
• Manage disputes and litigation through external counsel where required
• Identify emerging legal and regulatory risks affecting the Group

Strategic Advisor

• Work closely with the CEO and executive leadership on strategic initiatives
• Support capital raising, financing and corporate structuring activities
• Provide practical legal advice that enables commercial execution while appropriately managing risk
• Help build the legal foundation for a rapidly expanding Canadian corporate group

QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of legal experience in corporate, commercial or transactional law
• Member in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society
• Significant experience supporting mergers and acquisitions, financing transactions or major commercial projects
• Strong knowledge of corporate governance and board processes
• Demonstrated commercial judgement with the ability to balance legal risk against business objectives
• Experience working with infrastructure, engineering, maritime, natural resources or Indigenous partnerships is considered a significant asset
• Experience managing external counsel and multiple concurrent legal matters
• Excellent negotiation, communication and relationship-building skills
• Comfortable operating in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment where processes are still being built

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for someone who wants to help build an institution—not simply provide legal advice.

The successful candidate will be intellectually curious, commercially minded and comfortable working alongside senior executives to solve complex business problems. They will enjoy creating structure, balancing legal rigour with practical execution, and helping shape the next phase of growth for a uniquely Canadian group of companies.

We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous candidates.

COMPENSATION

A competitive executive compensation package, including performance-based incentives, will be offered commensurate with experience and responsibilities. As the Group grows, this role will evolve into a key member of the executive leadership team with significant influence over strategy, governance and corporate development.