Legal Counsel

Description

The BC Nurses' Union is recruiting for a Legal Counsel position to provide strategic legal leadership and risk management oversight to the organization. This role ensures legal compliance, protects organizational interests, supports executive decision-making, and provides pragmatic legal advice to leadership. The Legal Counsel acts as a trusted advisor to the CEO and senior leadership, balancing legal risk with operational realities. 

The annual salary range for this position is $165,000 to $230,000 (not inclusive of an overtime premium and salary differential). 

Specific Accountabilities

Strategic Legal Leadership

• Serve as principal legal advisor to the CEO and executive leadership.
• Provide legal analysis to inform strategic initiatives, partnerships, governance decisions, and operational changes.
• Anticipate legal risks and recommend proactive mitigation strategies.
• Oversee development of legal frameworks that support organizational growth and sustainability.
• Develop and deliver in-house labour relations and legal training programs to support team capacity building and enhance knowledge in grievance handling, mediation, and arbitration.

Governance and Board Support

• Advise the CEO and Council on governance for best practices and fiduciary obligations.
• Ensure organizational compliance with applicable legislation, bylaws, policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Support preparation and review of Council materials with legal implications.

Legal Advisor & Counsel

• Provide timely and practical legal advice to Directors of member servicing departments.
• Interpret and apply relevant statutes, regulations, and case law.
• Manage sensitive and confidential legal matters.
• Create a litigation strategy and oversee external legal counsel inclusive of cost.
• Act as an organizational representative in legal proceedings where appropriate.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Lead enterprise risk assessment from a legal perspective.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory bodies and statutory requirements.
• Oversee responses to regulatory inquiries, complaints, or litigation.

Policy Development

• Review of policies to ensure legal compliance.
• Provide training to leadership and staff on legal obligations and risk mitigation.

Candidate Qualifications

Education and Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) or LLB from an accredited institution.
• Member in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia.
• Licensed to practice law in the province of British Columbia.

Experience and Knowledge

• 12 to 15+ years of progressive legal experience.
• 5 to 7+ years of advocacy experience working for a union or other social justice organization.
• Extensive knowledge of labour law, employment law, human rights and healthcare sector issues.
• Proven success working directly with Boards or executive committees.
• Experience building legal functions or modernizing governance frameworks.

Key Competencies

• Integrity and Confidentiality: Maintains strong confidentiality and high ethical standards.
• Negotiation and Influence: Strong negotiation capability in contracts, settlements and stakeholder disputes.
• Resilience and Composure: Performs effectively under pressure in high-risk or high-profile matters. 
• DEI: Demonstrate and leads a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion and commitment to advancing reconciliation, cultural safety and redressing the harms of Indigenous-specific racism.
• Communication Excellence: Translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable advice. Exceptional written drafting and verbal advisory skills.
• Sound Judgment: Strong risk assessment skills; balances legal prudence with business practicality.

Other Requirements

• Commitment to confidentiality and professional ethics.
• Occasional travel is required for this position.