Senior Legal Counsel

About Beem Credit Unionâ

Beem is a new credit union with 80 years of history. Rising to the rapidly evolving challenges of the financial services industry and inspired by cooperative values our founding credit unions recognized that we can do more together. Beem means light. It means energy. It means a brighter financial future. United as Beem we are combining our strengths to better serve our members. As of January 1 2025 Beem is one of BCs largest provincially regulated credit unions supporting the financial wellness of 193000 members from 66 branches across the province with $17 billion in assets under administration. Learn more about our journey at .

This role is open to hybrid working arrangements within the Lower Mainland attending as needed the office in either North Vancouver or Burnaby.

What this role is all about:

As a key member of the Legal team reporting to the General Counsel the Senior Legal Counsel will provide strategic enterprise-wide legal advice that supports organizational priorities and mitigates risk. This role drives decisions with broad impact and complex interdependencies ensuring compliance across financial services corporate/commercial transactions real estate regulatory matters litigation management and employment law. Working closely with senior leadership the Senior Legal Counsel anticipates legal challenges and enables sustainable business growth.

What youll do:

Corporate & Commercial Legal Support

• Collaborate with contract owners and key stakeholders to lead the drafting review and negotiation of diverse agreements including those with service providers financial institutions brokers consultants and other third-party partners.
• Develop contract templates and standardized legal language.
• Provide legal interpretation and guidance on existing contractual obligations and risk mitigation strategies.
• Support real estate transactions including lease negotiations and document execution.
• Maintaining robust knowledge of relevant legislation regulations best practice and industry standards to provide internal guidance and ensure compliance.

Operational & Product Support

• Cultivate a deep understanding of the Credit Unions business needs and providing proactive solution-oriented advice.
• Provide legal guidance on third party demands powers of attorney estates and trusts account authorizations payments lending Market Conduct Code compliance privacy fraud investigations and error resolution.
• Review and draft customer disclosures new product launches product and marketing campaigns and customer journeys for legal compliance.
• Advise on trademark issues and intellectual property matters.

Strategic & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Proactively identify potential legal issues providing legal guidance and implantation strategies to mitigate risk.
• Partner with senior leadership to align legal strategies with business objectives balancing risk management with organizational agility.
• Collaborate across departments to deliver legal guidance on strategic initiatives regulatory compliance and operational matters.
• Lead and manage legal projects tied to business goals ensuring legal considerations are integrated into cross-functional initiatives from start to finish.
• Promote legal awareness and continuous learning through training sessions regular updates and mentorship programs.
• Communicate legal risks and actionable recommendations clearly to enable informed decision-making at all levels of leadership.
• Provide timely responsive and proactive legal advice that empowers the Credit Union to make well-informed business decisions with a full understanding of associated legal risks and enterprise-wide impacts.

Risk Management & Litigation Support

• Serve as a strategic partner to Risk & Compliance proactively identifying and mitigating legal risks.
• Support dispute resolution including client service issues collections and foreclosure proceedings providing representation for litigation proceedings as needed.
• Provide legal expertise and guidance in managing litigation matters and external counsel relationships.
• Prepare legal memoranda and position papers on complex legal issues.
• Monitor changes in laws and regulations affecting credit unions and financial institutions.
• Provide guidance on regulatory compliance and corporate governance.

Employment Law & Workplace Advisory

• Partner with HR and leadership on employment law matters providing advice in areas of employee hiring terminations accommodations workplace investigations performance management and health and safety matters.
• Draft review and update employment contracts severance agreements and workplace policies.

What youll bring:

• Law degree (J.D./LL.B.) and membership in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive legal experience with at least 3 years in the financial services industry.
• Strong expertise in contract law corporate law and financial services regulations.
• Experience in the credit union or financial services sector is preferred.
• Experience with privacy consumer protection employment real estate litigation and corporate governance is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate practical legal advice in a business context.
• Ability to build trust with business partners and stakeholders
• Equivalent combination of the above may be appropriate

Your Total Rewards

At Beem we believe great work deserves great rewards. Thats why weve built a Total Rewards package thats more than competitiveits designed to help you shine. From your pay to your peace of mind weve got your back.

Compensation

Annual salary range: $160000 - $180000

Your pay reflects the skills experience and unique strengths you bring. We review salaries every year.

Performance and recognition

Your success is Beems success. We reward great performance through recognition and where applicable performance bonuses tied to shared goals.

Health and wellness - Were invested in your well-being

• Extended health coverage including mental health support
• Dental care that keeps you smiling
• Disability coverage for peace of mind

Time away: Rest isnt extraits essential

Take the time you need to relax explore or just catch up on life with vacation and personal days.

Retirement and financial well-being - Your future self will thank you

• Generous RRSP contributions
• In-house financial advice to help you plan ahead
• Flexible options to add your own contributions

Beem member perks - Little extras that make a big difference

• Free banking accounts
• Special mortgage and lending rates
• Preferred financial perks

The bottom line

Your Total Rewards arent just a packagetheyre a reflection of our values. We build together by celebrating success own it by investing in your growth and keep things welcoming by making sure you feel supported at work at home and wherever your journey takes you.

At Beem we are BOLD and Always Welcoming and our values are at the forefront of everything we do!

• Build Together: You are a team player who thrives on collaboration sparks ideas and fosters inclusivity.
• Own It: You are ready to take charge drive change and deliver outstanding results.
• Lead with Agility: You are a dynamic adaptable thinker who thrives on challenge and innovation.
• Driven by Curiosity: You are eager to explore learn and shape the future.

Ready to join

Visit us at to learn more about what its like to work for Beem Credit Union! We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest; however only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

We at Beem Credit Union are committed to ensuring inclusive employment practices and an accessible business environment for our employees. We do not discriminate based on any protected attribute covered by the Human Rights Code and encourage all qualiïed candidates to apply. We are committed to a fair and equitable hiring process for all candidates. All applications are reviewed by a member of our team.

Beem Credit Union serves communities across many traditional Territories and Treaty areas in British Columbia. We are grateful to live and work on this land and are committed to reconciliation decolonization and building strong connected relationships.

Required Experience:

Senior IC