Legal Counsel, Sustainability and Accessibility

at  BMO Financial Group

100 King Street West Toronto Ontario,M5X 1A1

Supports compliance related activity on products, initiatives, strategies, policies and developments for and on behalf of BMO Financial Group with a focus on sustainability and accessibility. Provides support for the provision of regulatory and legal advice in partnership with LRCP partners and under the supervision of the Chief Sustainability Officer, based on knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures, and knowledge of the financial services industry and its environment. Influences and negotiates to achieve business objectives. Works to achieve organizational goals while managing legal and regulatory risk.

• Contributes to and reviews all public disclosures, public statements, publications, presentation materials, and communications relating to sustainability and accessibility.
• Serves as a thought leader and in-house expert on all aspects of sustainability and accessibility disclosure, governance, and best practices by closely following legal, regulatory, and market developments and trends.
• Supports various projects relating to sustainability and accessiblity.
• Recommends and implements solutions based on analysis of issues and implications for applicable businesses.
• Identifies emerging issues and trends to inform decision-making.
• Exercises judgement on moderate to complex decisions falling within standard policies and regulatory requirements.
• Identifies and resolves routine issues and escalates with appropriate analysis and recommendations.
• Determines courses of action within procedural and policy guidelines & standards.
• Delivers legal advice, instructs external counsel and ensures compliance with internal policies & procedures.
• Acts as a subject matter expert on relevant laws, regulations and policies.
• Identifies risks and implements appropriate actions to mitigate them.
• Implements areas of improvement to ensure consistency with marketplace.
• Builds effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders.
• Works independently and regularly handles non-routine situations.
• Broader work or accountabilities may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications:

• Less than 7 years of legal practice or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Degree in law (LLB or JD) and license to practice law in relevant jurisdiction.
• Private practice, in-house experience or experience at regulatory body relating to the regulation of business/group activities may be required.
• Knowledge in legal field, typically with a functional or business line specialization.
• Knowledge of business and regulatory environment in which BMO Financial Group operates.
• Proficient knowledge of subject matter legal requirements and the operations of a single client group.
• Negotiation skills - in depth.
• Deep knowledge and technical proficiency gained through extensive education and business experience.
• Verbal & written communication skills - In-depth.
• Collaboration & team skills - In-depth.
• Analytical and problem solving skills - In-depth.
• Influence skills - In-depth.
• Data driven decision making - In-depth.
• Experience advising on corporate responsibility, sustainability reporting, corporate governance or environmental, social and governance best practices is an asset.
• An understanding of domestic and foreign regulatory regimes, experience with the various sustainability/environmental, social and governance reporting frameworks and standards and knowledge of emerging disclosure priorities is an asset.

Please refer the Job description for details