Senior Legal Counsel

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.

The Corporate Finance Department is a regulatory department responsible for oversight of issuers (other than investment funds) in the public and exempt markets. The department reviews public distributions of securities, exempt market activities and continuous disclosure of reporting issuers, and leads issuer-related policy initiatives. The department is also responsible for supervising insider reporting, regulating designated rating organizations, oversight of benchmarks and benchmark administrators and overseeing the listed issuer function for OSC recognized exchanges.

As a Senior Legal Counsel, you will work on a multi-disciplinary team and will be given opportunities to: 

• Review prospectus offerings, exempt market activities, and continuous disclosure filings by public issuers; 
• Consider applications for discretionary relief from securities legislation; 
• Consult and engage with issuers, their advisors and other market participants; 
• Lead the development of significant policy initiatives that impact issuers at both the Ontario and national levels; and
• Provide advice and recommendations regarding complex and novel products and issues. 

Responsibilities:

• Conduct analysis and provide strategic legal advice and subject matter expertise on securities law, capital markets regulation, prospectus offerings, exemptive relief applications, exempt market regulation and a range of emerging regulatory issues.
  

• Independently assess complex prospectus filings and novel products, resolve novel legal and policy issues, and make recommendations on whether regulatory approvals meet the applicable legislative test.
  

• Lead exemptive relief applications, negotiate outcomes with Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) counterparts and market participants, and develop recommendations on complex policy matters.

• Lead complex and high-impact policy, regulatory, and legislative initiatives, including drafting securities law instruments and collaborating with CSA, government, and industry stakeholders.
  

• Represent the OSC on CSA and industry committees, contributing to regulatory policy development and identifying solutions to evolving market and regulatory challenges.
  

• Serve as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, providing guidance on securities law interpretation, transaction structures, and regulatory requirements.
  

• Build consensus and negotiate effectively with regulators, issuers, advisors, and industry participants to address complex legal, policy, and market issues.
  

• Monitor market developments and emerging trends, assessing regulatory implications and recommending innovative, practical solutions that support investor protection and efficient capital markets.

Qualifications: 

We are looking for candidates with inquiring minds and a passion for the capital markets who value a collegial environment. Candidates must be members in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.

Preference will be given to candidates who meet all of the following criteria: 

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant legal, transactional and regulatory experience; 
• An in-depth understanding of the Canadian securities regulatory environment; 
• Experience with the securities regulatory regime as it applies to reporting issuers and issuers raising capital in the exempt market; 
• Strong analytical, project management and communication skills and the ability to set and adjust priorities; 
• Excellent legal drafting skills, including experience drafting legislation, rules or other regulatory instruments; 

• A demonstrated ability to establish collaborative working relationships and engage with internal and external stakeholders; and
• Demonstrated judgment and proficiency to balance regulatory objectives with practical business considerations. 

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 [email protected].  
 

Visit Accessibility at the OSC to review the OSC’s policies on accessibility and accommodation in the workplace.