Vice President Legal

Vancouver | 10+ years

Canfor is seeking a Vice President, Legal to join its Vancouver head office. This role is a key member of the leadership team, responsible for providing strategic and practical legal advice across Canfor and its subsidiaries.

The VP, Legal will play a critical role partnering with executive leadership and the Board, while also remaining close to the work—leading complex commercial transactions, supporting growth initiatives, and overseeing corporate governance and supporting board secretarial responsibilities.

This is an opportunity for a commercially focused lawyer who is equally comfortable operating strategically at the enterprise level and engaging deeply in contracts, risk management and deal execution.

Key Accountabilities

Enterprise Legal Leadership

• Provide strategic legal counsel to the Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team, and business leaders across Canfor and its subsidiaries
• Lead the development and execution of Canfor’s legal strategy to protect and advance the organization’s business interests
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risk across a complex, global organization
• Act as a trusted advisor on governance, compliance, and public company obligations, including TSX and securities requirements

Transactions & Commercial Leadership

• Lead and oversee significant commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic growth opportunities
• Provide hands-on leadership in deal execution, including due diligence, negotiation, structuring, and closing of complex transactions
• Oversee large-scale commercial contract negotiations and ensure pragmatic, business-oriented legal solutions
• Partner closely with internal stakeholders and external counsel on transactional and regulatory matters

Corporate Governance & Secretary Responsibilities

• Support corporate governance activities and act as Assistant Corporate Secretary to the Corporate Secretary and the board
• Oversee governance processes, disclosure obligations, and Board/committee materials and meetings
• Ensure compliance with corporate, regulatory, and continuous disclosure requirements

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop the Legal team
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and engaged team environment
• Provide mentorship and contribute to building future leadership within the Legal function

Operational & Regulatory Oversight

• Oversee legal matters related to Canfor’s operations, including contracts, regulatory compliance, and litigation
• Manage relationships with external counsel, auditors, and advisors
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and evolving regulatory requirements across jurisdictions

Experience & Background

• Qualified lawyer with approximately 10+ years post-call experience
• Experience in corporate/commercial law, with a strong focus on transactions and deal work
• Background in a publicly traded company or advising public company clients is strongly preferred
• Experience in a resource-based industry (forestry, mining, oil & gas) is an asset
• Combination of in-house and/or leading law firm experience supporting complex commercial matters

Leadership

• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, with a genuine interest in people leadership
• Strong enterprise mindset, with the ability to contribute to broader business strategy
• Demonstrated ability to influence and partner effectively with senior executives

Capabilities

• Highly technical and detail-oriented
• Deep expertise in commercial transactions and deal execution
• Strong business acumen with the ability to provide practical, solutions-oriented legal advice
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• High integrity, sound judgment, and ability to manage sensitive matters with discretion

The salary range for this position is: $260,000 - $320,000.

Please Note: The range provided is for base salary only. In addition to base salary, Canfor proudly offers its employees a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package. It features performance-based incentive plans, executive preventative health program, perquisite account, flexible benefits, paid leaves, executive pension plan, and robust health & well-being initiatives. Above all, we are proud to offer all our employees a value proposition that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion and fosters an environment where talent and performance is recognized and rewarded.

This is an exclusive search with ZSA Legal Recruitment. Any applications made to Canfor will be redirected to ZSA. To apply please submit your resume in confidence to Mike Race at ***email_hidden***.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The initial review of applications will begin immediately. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.