Senior Legal Counsel

Doing business to business, person to person. Payworks is a leading workforce management solutions provider and multi-year winner of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies program. We are proud to be Canadian owned and operated as well as committed to developing world-class products and providing a progressive workplace culture where Doing Right by People is our purpose.

With clients of all sizes from coast to coast and more than 600 employees, we currently have an exciting opportunity on our Legal and Privacy team for the right candidate. Because when it comes to great people, there’s always room for one more.

Payworks’ Legal & Privacy team is responsible for the legal, privacy, governance, and compliance matters at Payworks.  We are growing and this is an exciting and unique opportunity to join a dynamic technology company! Reporting to the General Counsel & Privacy Officer, the Senior Legal Counsel will provide practical and timely legal advice, navigate complex commercial and technology agreements, lead crucial negotiations, and contribute to our continued growth in the workforce management solutions industry. This isn't just a legal role; it's an opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and make a real impact.

• Comprehensive employer paid benefits, including a Health Spending Account, for you and your family and excellent pension plan with employer contributions.
• Plenty of professional development opportunities.
• Community-minded culture – Receive two paid days per year to volunteer and lots of opportunity to “Pay it Forward”.
• Time and flexibility to meet your needs – Hybrid work model with flexible work options, plus 3 weeks vacation to start, flex time and parental leave benefits.
• Cool perks – Annual Lifestyle Spending Account, Costco membership, fun office environment and events, and more!

Employing your background and experience, you will provide day-to-day legal advice and support in a range of areas, with a focus on providing legal advice, counsel and support on commercial, technology, and strategic matters.  This includes:

• Strategic Partnership – Act as a trusted legal advisor to Payworks’ technology teams, sales teams, and other business units, providing guidance on diverse and complex technology and commercial matters.
• Technology Contract Excellence – Draft, review and/or negotiate a variety of technology, software, cloud-based service, data, AI, and license agreements and other third-party vendor agreements while also identifying legal risks and developing practical mitigation strategies focused on Payworks’ goals.
• Commercial Contracting Excellence – Draft, review, negotiate, and provide comprehensive guidance on commercial matters including third-party vendor and client transactions in a dynamic and innovative industry and environment including non-disclosure agreements, master services agreements, statements of work, professional services agreements, and requests for proposals.
• Collaboration and Engagement – Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, partners, advisors, and vendors on legal matters, building strong relationships and fostering trust.
• Negotiation Leadership – Spearhead negotiations and offer expert counsel on technology and other commercial agreements, driving efficiency and compliance. Provide advice on legal risks associated with transactions and offer creative solutions to mitigate risks.
• Update and Inform – Lead and support the continued review of legal and templates, processes, procedures and materials to ensure that Payworks’ stays on the leading edge.
• Support Services – Performs legal support services on general technology-related matters, such as those relating to policies and procedures, third-party vendor risk management, internal training/seminars and internal working groups.
• Compliance – Track regulatory requirements related to Payworks’ business and monitor current and emerging best practices and trends of industry, regulatory and legal developments regarding technology-related matters, third-party vendor risk management, and/or data privacy/security.
• External Counsel – Engage and manage, as requested, external counsel on a variety of matters.
• Make an Impact – Opportunity to complete special and strategic projects that matter to Payworks’ business and other duties as assigned by Payworks’ General Counsel & Privacy Officer.

• Legal Experience – At least 8 years’ post-call experience as a practicing lawyer in an in-house environment or law firm.
• Education and Standing – A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited Canadian university. A member in good standing with the Law Society of Manitoba or other Canadian jurisdiction, with the ability to transfer.  
• Legal Area of Expertise – Substantive legal experience and knowledge in the areas of commercial and technology law including experience negotiating and drafting complex commercial and technology agreements. Experience in the payroll and/or financial services industry is an asset.
• Business and Negotiation Skills – Business minded with sound and practical business judgement. Proven ability to lead complex negotiations and achieve successful results.
• Analytical Skills – Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to recognize, investigate and assess legal implications, to identify related business ramifications and to develop innovative solutions.
• Independence & Agility – Excellent organization, time management and project management skills with the ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced evolving environment and to handle a high volume of work in a competing priority environment.
• Communication & Collaboration – Highly responsive and service-oriented attitude.  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong ability to collaborate across teams and stakeholders while building strong relationships.
• Learning and Development – Committed to continuous personal and professional learning and development.
• Bonus Points – Written and oral fluency in both official languages (French/English) an asset.