Head, Legal Services, Insurance & Compliance | Responsable, Services juridiques, Assurance et Conformité

About us

We are an organization driven by purpose. We are dedicated to serving Canadians and strongly committed to protecting their hard-earned money when it matters most. We live our promises and commitments every day by serving Canadians as one, and we have their best interest at heart. We strive to build an inclusive, accepting culture with commitment, determination and a bias for action.

The right challenge is waiting for you! Discover how valuable your experience can be and join our team.

About the role

As the Head, Legal Services, Insurance & Compliance (“Head”), you will lead the organization’s legal services, deposit insurance framework and aspects of its compliance activities. including the administration of CDIC’s differential premium framework. This includes providing legal advice and providing input into strategic policy development and overseeing any legislative and bylaw changes. This executive will provide expert legal counsel, lead regulatory and legislative initiatives, and ensure that the Corporation operates in full alignment with its statutory mandate to protect depositors and promote financial stability.

The Head will closely collaborate with leaders across various business units, providing strategic legal counsel and advancing key initiatives. In addition, this individual will have the opportunity to lead substantial cross-functional projects, manage external legal relationships, and influence CDIC’s culture regarding legal, insurance and compliance.

This role can be performed from our Ottawa office, following a hybrid model approach. This is a full-time permanent opportunity. 

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES required for this role

The Head is expected to foster close collaboration with Officers and senior management to facilitate effective legal strategies and insurance and compliance initiatives.

In addition to overseeing the daily operations of the Legal Services and the Insurance and Compliance departments the Head, Legal, Insurance & Compliance is responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures that align with organizational goals, mitigating legal risks, and ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. This role also includes providing legal advice and guidance to various departments, managing complex legal issues, and leading a team of legal professionals to deliver high-quality legal services.

The specific accountabilities of the Head, Legal, Insurance & Compliance include, but are not limited to:

• Manage legal risks, ensure compliance with legislation, and guide policy and rulemaking.
• Lead legal support for resolution planning, including interpreting the CDIC Act and handling member institution failures.
• Manage legal relationships, external counsel, and ensure quality legal services.
• Oversee advice on legislative and regulatory initiatives and guide their progress through Parliament.
• Support the organization on privacy, access to information, and litigation matters.
• Administer and enhance the differential premiums system and promote adherence to deposit insurance requirements across member institutions.
• Lead deposit insurance advocacy efforts through strong stakeholder relationships, clear communication, and effective internal and external engagement.
• Monitor industry compliance and support enforcement where needed.
• Influence rulemaking, policy development, and technology decisions to strengthen the deposit insurance framework and support CDIC’s depositor protection and financial stability mandate.
• Contribute to corporate strategy and decision-making with legal and compliance insight.
• Understand how CDIC’s risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in day-to-day activities and decisions.

About you

You take pride in the work that you do and are passionate about making a difference and an impact. You face challenges head-on, are an excellent communicator and collaborator, and act with integrity.

To effectively navigate the challenges associated with the role, the Head of Legal, Insurance & Compliance should demonstrate a well-rounded combination of the following skills:

• Possessing knowledge, skills, and sound judgment in legal analysis and management advisory services. Capable of synthesizing information from various sources to identify legal risks. Proficient at distilling and explaining complex issues to different audiences.
• A solid understanding of the legislation and case law that may affect the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) and its policies is crucial. This includes expert knowledge of CDIC's mandate, powers, and operational requirements, as well as an understanding of the regulatory oversight of federally regulated deposit-taking institutions in Canada.
• Thorough understanding of the financial industry, applicable legislation, and regulatory oversight related to CDIC’s member institutions, along with the economic and policy issues impacting the Canadian financial system and their potential effects on CDIC’s membership.
• Possessing strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, enabling me to analyze complex issues effectively and develop practical solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to influence individuals and situations, including resolving disputes and negotiating practical, effective solutions.
• Effective communication and presentation skills and the ability to distill and explain complex issues to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work with a considerable degree of autonomy and within tight time frames.
• Excellent project management skills, the ability to monitor and follow up on many activities concurrently under time constraints and ability to understand and manage priorities.
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary teams, with a focus on banking operations, policy/legal development and administrative excellence.

SKILLS you bring 

• Minimum of 10-15 years of legal experience in private practice and/or as in-house counsel, with a strong background in the financial and banking sectors.
• Admission to the Ontario Bar and maintenance of good standing is required.
• In-depth knowledge and experience in providing legal interpretations or advice regarding the application of legislation to corporations or government entities.
• Experience in managing compliance and or administrative processes.
• Experience in a management position overseeing a team of professionals.
• Proven ability to advise senior management and business units on complex legal issues, with a focus on entrepreneurship and agility.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead high-priority initiatives in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams.

Must have

Language Requirements: Bilingual Imperative: Level (CBC/CBC)

Security Clearance: Eligibility to obtain a Secret-level security clearance

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and Accommodation Request

CDIC is an inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace. We want to give all qualified applicants the chance to shine during the selection process. We believe that everyone should be treated equally and fairly, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. CDIC will strive to provide equal opportunity to all. If you need an accommodation to apply for a position or participate in an interview, please contact us at jobs-emplois@cdic.ca.

Sound like you?

If you are passionate about serving Canadians and see yourself as our future Head, Legal Services, Insurance & Compliance, please click the "apply now" button below.