Description
Overview:
The in-house Legal Counsel provides legal advice and support to the organization with a primary focus on employment law, labour relations, and tenant law. The role is grounded in respect for Indigenous Peoples, recognizes the organization's responsibilities related to reconciliation, and supports decision-making that reflects Indigenous rights, histories, and perspectives.
The Legal Counsel works collaboratively with leadership, Human Resources, Operations, and other internal stakeholders to promote legally sound, culturally informed, and respectful practices. The position provides practical, timely, and solutions-oriented legal advice while supporting the organization's commitments to equity, inclusion, and meaningful engagement with Indigenous peoples.
Key accountabilities
In the performance of these responsibilities, the Legal Counsel is accountable for:
Employment and labour law
- Provide legal advice on employment-related matters including recruitment, employment agreements, discipline, performance management, workplace investigations, accommodation, leaves of absence, terminations, and organizational change
- Provide legal advice on labour relations matters, including union-related issues and the interpretation and application of collective agreements
- Support management in addressing grievances, disputes, and workplace issues arising under collective agreements
- Draft, review, and maintain employment-related contracts, policies, procedures, and templates
- Advise on compliance with applicable employment standards, human rights, labour relations, privacy, and occupational health and safety legislation
- Support the resolution of employment and labour disputes, complaints, and claims, including grievances and human rights matters
- Monitor legislative and case law developments and provide guidance on required or recommended organizational changes
Tenant law
- Provide legal advice on residential tenancy matters, including lease interpretation, renewals, enforcement, disputes, and compliance with applicable legislation.
- Review and interpret residential tenancy agreements and related documentation.
- Support dispute resolution processes involving tenants, including engagement with regulatory bodies and external counsel as required
- Provide advice that considers the impacts of legal decisions on diverse communities, including Indigenous tenants and organizations
Corporate governance
- Provide legal advice on corporate governance matters, including organizational structure, restructuring, and governance risk
- Maintain and oversee the organization's corporate records, including articles, bylaws, resolutions, and registers, ensuring accuracy and compliance
- Provide legal support to the Board of Directors and senior leadership, including drafting and reviewing board and committee resolutions and governance documentation
- Advise on statutory and regulatory compliance applicable to corporate governance obligations
- Support the review, amendment, and implementation of bylaws, constitutions, and governance policies, as required
- Provide guidance on governance best practices and emerging legal requirements affecting boards and senior leadership
- Coordinate with external legal counsel on complex or high-risk governance matters requiring specialized expertise
Indigenous relations, reconciliation, and equity
- Provide legal advice that reflects an understanding of Indigenous rights, histories, and legal traditions, as they intersect with employment, labour, and tenant matters
- Support the organization in meeting its commitments related to Truth and Reconciliation, equity, and inclusion, including alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, where applicable
- Identify legal risks and opportunities related to Indigenous engagement and advise on respectful, relationship-based approaches
- Support culturally safe decision-making by advising on policies and practices that may disproportionately impact Indigenous Peoples
General legal support
- Provide day-to-day legal advice to internal stakeholders across the organization in a timely and collaborative manner
- Identify and assess legal risks and recommend practical, proportionate mitigation strategies
- Lead or support the development, review, and interpretation of organizational policies with legal implications, including policies related to bullying and harassment, workplace conduct, accommodation, investigations, discipline, and privacy
- Ensure policies are legally compliant, aligned with collective agreements, and reflective of applicable legislation and case law
- Provide legal guidance on the application and interpretation of policies in specific circumstances
- Act as the primary internal legal advisor for real estate and land development matters, including reviewing issues, identifying legal risks, and advising on process and governance considerations
- Coordinate and manage the engagement of external legal counsel for complex or high-risk real estate and land development matters, including matters requiring specialized expertise beyond the scope of in-house practice
- Liaise between internal stakeholders and external counsel to ensure advice is understood, appropriately implemented, and aligned with organizational objectives
- Manage relationships with external legal counsel, including scope of work, cost considerations, and outcomes
- Support litigation management and alternative dispute resolution processes as required
- Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of internal legal processes, templates, and governance practices
Qualifications
Education, training, and experience
- Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree
- Member in good standing with a Canadian law society
- Minimum five (5) years of post-call legal experience
- Demonstrated experience in employment and labour law, including unionized environments
- Experience with tenant, leasing, or real estate law
- Experience providing legal advice in a public sector, broader public sector, or community-focused organization is an asset
- Training or experience related to Indigenous legal issues, reconciliation, or Indigenous-Crown relations is an asset
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Strong knowledge of employment, labour, and tenant law, including applicable legislation and regulatory frameworks
- Knowledge of Indigenous rights, histories, and contemporary issues as they relate to legal practice, or a demonstrated commitment to learning in this area
- Ability to provide clear, practical, and culturally informed legal advice to non-legal stakeholders
- Strong drafting, review, and negotiation skills
- Ability to manage multiple matters simultaneously and meet deadlines
- Sound judgment and problem-solving skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build respectful working relationships
- High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality
Job type
- Full-time, Permanent, Exempt
Compensation
- Annual salary: $141,800 - $158,499 (commensurate with experience)
Benefits
- Company pension plan
- Extended health care
- Dental care
- Vision care
- Life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Paid time off
Location
- 548 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC
Work schedule
Please send your cover letter and resume to HR@bcihs.ca with the job title in the subject line.
Diversity and inclusion statement
BCIHS aims to provide an inclusive workplace that leverages diversity, ensuring that everyone feels valued, safe, respected, and empowered to grow. In keeping with our organizational Vision and Mission, we encourage applications from candidates of Indigenous ancestry who possess a strong understanding of Indigenous culture, practices, and the impacts of historical injustices.
