Director, Assistant General Counsel - Payments

161 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Director, Assistant General Counsel – Payments

About Capital One Canada

For 30 years, we’ve been on a mission to change banking for good and build relationships by making credit accessible, simple, intuitive and rewarding. We want to help Canadians succeed with credit, because we believe in people — in our customers, in our associates, and in talent like you!

About the Role

This role will serve as a key legal advisor to the credit card business, supporting product development, regulatory compliance, and strategic initiatives across the Canadian market. The successful candidate will operate in the intersection of law, technology, and financial services, advising on complex and evolving payments frameworks. This is a high impact role with significant exposure to senior business leadership, requiring a pragmatic, solutions-oriented lawyer, who can balance legal risk with business innovation. The ideal candidate demonstrates a strategic, long-term approach, ensuring decisions align with global business objectives. In this influential role, you will report to the Vice President, Canada Chief Legal Officer.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice and support to business partners on current products and new business strategies.
• Provide expert legal advice on Canadian payments laws and frameworks, including the Retail Payment Activities Act (RPAA), PCMLTFA, Bank Act, and oversight from the Bank of Canada, Fintrac, and the FCAC.
• Advise on credit card regulatory requirements, including disclosure, consumer protection, interchange, and network rules.
• Advise on new and upcoming legislation and regulatory expectations relevant to the financial services and payments industry in Canada.
• Advise on emerging payments issues, including tokenization, digital wallets, consumer-driven (open) banking, and third party service providers.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex commercial agreements, including vendor, processing, co-brand, and technology agreements.
• Build and maintain effective and engaging working relationships with legal colleagues, business partners, and outside counsel.
• Assist and/or lead in responding to regulatory, government, or audit requests.
• Perform other responsibilities as requested.

Basic Qualifications

• A law degree (LLB or JD) from an accredited law school and an active license to practice law in Ontario.
• At least 10 years of experience in private practice, an in-house legal department, or other work setting, supporting business teams in the financial services industry.
• Significant experience and in-depth knowledge of the payments ecosystem, commercial contracting, and data protection laws.
• Deep expertise in payments, credit cards, and financial services regulation in Canada.
• Strong familiarity with key regulatory bodies, including OSFI, Fintrac, FCAC, and the Bank of Canada.
• Fluency in translating complex legal advice into actionable guidance for business teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to manage a large volume of work, including complex legal issues, with a growth and possibilities mindset.
• Ability and willingness to work as a collaborative team player and comfort interacting with associates across all job levels and lines of business.
• Commercially minded, with sound judgment and a practical approach to problem solving.

Working at Capital One

Enjoy a hybrid work environment, with 3 days in the office. Build a comfortable workspace with our one-time, Work From Home allowance and enjoy our head office located conveniently across the street from Union Station.

Live well—physically, financially and emotionally. Receive support for you and those who are most important to you, with full coverage for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents. With up to $3,000 in mental health coverage and up to $5,000 in tuition subsidies per year—and much more—you’ll discover that Capital One is committed to helping you live your best life.

Capital One Canada is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We consider all qualified applicants and will meet the needs of those requiring reasonable accommodations.