Corporate Counsel (Fixed Term)

Corporate Counsel (Fixed Term)

Location:  This position will be based out of our Winnipeg office.

Type:  This is a full-time, 12-month term position.

Our organization:

Founded in 2017, Wellington-Altus Financial Inc. (Wellington-Altus) is the parent company to Wellington-Altus Private Counsel Inc., Wellington-Altus USA Inc., Wellington-Altus Insurance Inc., Wellington-Altus Group Solutions Inc., and Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc.—the top-rated* investment dealer in Canada and one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. With more than $35 billion in assets under administration and offices across the country, Wellington-Altus identifies with successful, entrepreneurial advisors and portfolio managers and their high-net-worth clients. 

*Investment Executive 2024 Brokerage Report Card. 

The opportunity:

Reporting to the Vice President, Legal, the Corporate Counsel (Fixed Term) will be a key member of the legal team providing support to Wellington-Altus’ lines of business.

Working closely with a group of legal professionals and business leaders, the Corporate Counsel will provide legal guidance on a range of matters including general corporate/commercial matters, interpreting and advising on regulation pertaining to Wellington-Altus businesses, negotiating complex corporate and commercial agreements to support existing and new business activities, mergers and acquisitions, securities law, and when necessary, managing external counsel and litigation matters.

The Corporate Counsel’s work will be wide-ranging and will provide the opportunity to develop expertise in dynamic practice areas. This is an exciting opportunity to work with one of the fastest growing companies in the industry and Wellington-Altus is looking for people who want to excel their career and be part of the success of the company while receiving incredible in-house experience and real, practical business experience.

Key responsibilities include:

Legal Advice & Risk Identification

• Work collaboratively with business partners to provide practical, risk-based legal advice on a wide range of matters impacting Wellington-Altus’ lines of business.
• Advise on the formation of new lines of businesses and services, registration matters, trust and estate matters, and the general operation and administration of investment dealer and mutual fund dealer businesses.
• Instruct and manage external counsel.

Legal Drafting

• Draft contractual agreements and other documents, including account agreements and related forms, client disclosures and communications, as well as regulatory applications and filings in support of new and existing business initiatives.

Due Diligence

• Conduct legal due diligence in financial transactions, mergers, and acquisitions.

Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain in-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements applicable to Wellington-Altus’ businesses and advise on regulatory requirements and developments, including securities law and other applicable legislation pertaining to investment dealers.

Performing other duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited Canadian law school.
• Member of the Manitoba Bar, or ability to transfer from another Canadian jurisdiction.
• 1-5 years’ experience of relevant legal work experience (law firm, in-house, or securities regulatory body
• Knowledge of the securities industry’s regulatory compliance practices, procedures, and principles applicable to investment dealers and mutual fund dealers and experience advising on discretionary investment / managed account programs (UMA and/or SMAs) and familiarity with associated rules, regulations and guidance notes is considered a strong asset.
• M&A experience and/or litigation management would be considered a strong asset.
• Experience in the wealth management or other regulated industry is not necessary but would be considered an asset.
• Proficiency with the MS Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a business-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated superior drafting skills.
• Ability to proactively bring projects to completion.
• Highly focused with attention to detail.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills with experience simplifying and resolving complex problems.
• Superior organizational and time management skills with experience handling multiple projects at once.

Conditions of employment:

• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
• A background check, satisfactory to the employer, may be required of the successful applicant prior to commencing employment.

Wellington-Altus Private Wealth is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community and welcomes applications from women, racialized persons, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and genders. All qualified individuals who would contribute to the further diversification of our organization are encouraged to apply.

If you require accommodation for the recruitment process, please let us know at the point of application.

To apply:

Click the Apply for This Job button to submit your resume, cover letter and salary expectations. You will be contacted if you are selected for an interview. More information about working at Wellington-Altus can be found on our website at www.wellington-altus.com.