Interim Chief Legal Officer

Location: West GTA, ON (Hybrid)

Our client, a publicly traded financial services company, is seeking an Interim Chief Legal Officer to assist them through a period of transition and transformation. As they embark on a new business phase under a new CEO, the interim leader will support the strategic direction of the business by setting the direction for the legal function while also assessing the requirements to build a new compliance function that will be domiciled in the permanent hire’s portfolio. Acting as a trusted advisor to the CEO, they will also support the Board in ensuring that the organization is following best practices and utilizing a balanced approach to governance.

Key Accountabilities:

• Oversee the day-to-day management of the legal and compliance functions; the business has experienced headwinds in recent months, and the individual will be accountable for workstream and stakeholder management, including with external law firms and with the Board of Directors.
• Conduct an assessment and evaluation of the Legal function; lending instantaneous support and guidance to the current team while providing recommendations for near-term and long-term improvements as they begin the implementation process;
• Partner with an engaged Executive Leadership Team as a calm, impartial advisor, to understand the needs of the business moving forward and ensure that the Legal and partner functions are effectively aligned;
• Work with the Board, including the Corporate Governance and Audit committees, to ensure a comprehensive approach to governance and workstream management;
• Collaborate with external legal firms to ensure that legal initiatives are organized, streamlined and progressing toward resolution
• Develop the profile for the future Chief Legal Officer and successfully onboard the selected individual (unless candidate is considered for the permanent role);
• Lead and mentor a team of in-house lawyers covering several domains under the Legal domain at the company;

Competencies and Requirements:

• An experienced General Counsel with exposure to the financial services sector;
• Experience working for a publicly traded company would be preferred;
• Expertise in either building, growing or overseeing a compliance function;
• A strong and organized leader that has built and managed high-performing legal functions;
• Demonstrated success working as a commercially oriented and influential business partner and advisor to all areas of the organization as a member of the Senior Leadership Team;
• Tangible experience driving change (people, processes, policies, systems) to support growth;
• Experience leading small to mid-sized teams;
• Comfortable with a rapidly growing and dynamic environment;
• Demonstrated ability to perform calmly under pressure and meet deadlines and company goals;
• Ability to multitask and deal with people and situations in a professional manner within a dynamic environment. Able to manage competing priorities, meet deliverables while building relationships with colleagues;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;

Lee Hecht Harrison Knightsbridge Corp. is committed to providing equitable treatment and accommodation to ensure a barrier-free recruitment process. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and our AODA policy, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the hiring process. If you require accommodation to apply or if selected to participate in an assessment process, please provide your accommodation needs in advance to the Recruitment Lead for this opportunity.

We thank all interested candidates in advance; however, only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.