Legal Counsel II

at  Ontario Securities Commission

Business Unit
Regular, Full time
Closing Date: February 7, 2025
The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is the statutory body responsible for regulating Ontario’s capital markets in accordance with the mandate established in the provincial Securities Act and the Commodity Futures Act. The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets and confidence in the capital markets, to foster capital formation, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk. This mandate is performed through policy, operational, and enforcement activities. The OSC also contributes to national and global securities regulation development.
We offer a diverse, fair, and flexible work environment and take pride in our challenging and rewarding work.
Full time – permanent
Posting closes February 7, 2025
Applicants must submit a detailed cover letter in order to be considered for this role.
The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is the statutory body responsible for regulating Ontario’s capital markets in accordance with the mandate established in the provincial Securities Act and the Commodity Futures Act. The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets and confidence in the capital markets, to foster capital formation, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk. This mandate is performed through policy, operational, adjudication and enforcement work. The OSC also contributes to national and global securities regulation development.
We offer a diverse, fair, and flexible work environment and take pride in our challenging and rewarding work.
The Communications, International and Stakeholder Affairs (CISA) Division plays an integral role in advancing the OSC’s position domestically and globally as a trusted and influential voice on capital markets. The division works to uphold public confidence in the OSC’s work and Ontario’s capital markets by facilitating strong relationships with stakeholders and regulatory partners, alignment with government priorities and international standards, and the effective communication of OSC priorities, policies and actions. The CISA team engages internal, external, and international stakeholders through direct outreach, policy forums, executive thought leadership, corporate reporting materials, digital and enterprise social media channels.
The International Affairs team within CISA supports the Commission’s mandate by providing strategic advice and support in connection with the OSC’s relationship with international stakeholders, and by advancing international information sharing and cooperation arrangements to improve cross-border supervision and enforcement, supporting the development of international regulatory standards, and identifying and advising on relevant developments by other regulators and in the global capital markets.
Members of the International Affairs team monitor key global developments, advance OSC interests within international standard setting bodies, work with a global network of securities regulatory authorities to promote implementation and alignment of new international standards and best practices, strengthen international relations and cooperation, and manage select cross-Division projects.
As Legal Counsel II, you will provide strategic advice and research to assist the wider division in carrying out its mandate.

What you will be doing:

• Working with regulators and stakeholders domestically and in other jurisdictions on a broad range of securities-related issues
• Negotiating and advising on information sharing domestic and international Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and similar agreements with regulators, and implementing processes to optimize and oversee the OSC’s MOU portfolio
• Coordinating within OSC and with other regulators and, where appropriate, leading the preparation of formal submissions to assessments and surveys
• Exercising a high degree of judgment to prepare executive briefing notes, speaking notes and reports on a broad range of securities related issues, and providing related research, analytical, writing and advisory services
• Attending meetings of domestic and international working groups, keeping Manager of International Affairs up to date on progress, and supporting the OSC’s role within the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)
• Engaging with stakeholders and regulatory peers to support strategic goal of strengthening OSC’s position as a trusted and influential voice in Canadian capital markets
• Initiating, managing or supporting projects and research relating to the OSC’s strategic priorities and commitments, including addressing and tracking information requests and hosting delegation visits
• Monitoring and reporting on relevant government policies, international regulatory developments and emerging issues and providing strategic advice regarding these developments and recommended OSC responses
• Leading the preparation of materials for bilateral meetings including making recommendations for strategic engagement and anticipating and resolving next steps.

What you will bring:

• A membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• At least 5 years or equivalent of legal work experience post-call to bar, preferably related to Canadian capital markets, securities law, securities regulatory environment, and/or financial services
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent
• Solid understanding of current securities regulatory framework and Canadian capital markets
• Strong professionalism, client service and interpersonal skills, and a commitment to teamwork
• Flexibility and adaptability, including the ability to work effectively and collaboratively on ad-hoc projects and workstreams that arise in relation to emerging developments, and proposing solutions
• “Big picture” analytical perspective, excellent judgment, and solid problem-solving skills
• Ability to work well with individuals at all levels and across sectors and jurisdictions
• Excellent verbal communication, writing and editing skills, and strong ability to draft clear, concise and technically accurate briefing materials, submissions and other reports. Attention to detail
• Ability to manage and prioritize against competing deadlines, and act in a proactive and independent fashion while ensuring management is fully abreast of your work
• Due to the nature of the work, this role requires occasional availability during non-standard hours in order to attend meetings with participants from multiple time zones

What we offer at the OSC:

• Competitive compensation package which includes performance-based incentives and a premier pension plan
• Generous vacation and personal time entitlements
• Best in class comprehensive health and wellness benefit package
• Training and development programs
• Flexible hybrid work environment (3 days in office each week at 20 Queen Street West).

Grow your career and make a difference working at the OSC.
* OSC Employees: please apply in Workday using the Browse Jobs feature within your Jobs Hub *
We thank all applicants for their interest in the Ontario Securities Commission. We will contact those selected for an interview.
The OSC is committed to diversity and providing an inclusive workplace and providing accommodation in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Human Rights Code. It is our priority to ensure employment opportunities are visible and barrier-free to all under-represented groups including but not limited to, Indigenous, Black and racialized groups, people with disabilities, women and people from the 2SLGBTQI+ community, to achieve an employee demographic profile reflective of the demographic profile of Ontarians.
The OSC is a proud partner with the following organizations:
Ascend Canada
,
BlackNorth Initiative
,
Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
, and
Pride at Work Canada
If you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know by contacting our confidential inbox
HRRecruitment@osc.gov.on.ca
.
Visit
Accessibility at the OSC
to review the OSC’s policies on accessibility and accommodation in the workplace

• Working with regulators and stakeholders domestically and in other jurisdictions on a broad range of securities-related issues
• Negotiating and advising on information sharing domestic and international Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and similar agreements with regulators, and implementing processes to optimize and oversee the OSC’s MOU portfolio
• Coordinating within OSC and with other regulators and, where appropriate, leading the preparation of formal submissions to assessments and surveys
• Exercising a high degree of judgment to prepare executive briefing notes, speaking notes and reports on a broad range of securities related issues, and providing related research, analytical, writing and advisory services
• Attending meetings of domestic and international working groups, keeping Manager of International Affairs up to date on progress, and supporting the OSC’s role within the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)
• Engaging with stakeholders and regulatory peers to support strategic goal of strengthening OSC’s position as a trusted and influential voice in Canadian capital markets
• Initiating, managing or supporting projects and research relating to the OSC’s strategic priorities and commitments, including addressing and tracking information requests and hosting delegation visits
• Monitoring and reporting on relevant government policies, international regulatory developments and emerging issues and providing strategic advice regarding these developments and recommended OSC responses
• Leading the preparation of materials for bilateral meetings including making recommendations for strategic engagement and anticipating and resolving next steps