Legal Strategy & Operations Director

Purpose Unlimited is an independent financial services company with an unrelenting focus on customer-centric innovation, delivered through technology-driven solutions. Led by entrepreneur Som Seif, the company is developing a diversified product platform to address historically underserved market segments. Purpose Unlimited's businesses include Purpose Investments, Advisor Solutions by Purpose, and Driven.

Job Overview:

The Legal Strategy & Operations Director provides strategic support to the Chief Legal Officer in managing and optimizing the Legal & Compliance Team's operations. This position serves as a bridge between the Legal Team and other business units, driving operational alignment and efficiency.

Key initiatives in 2025 will include the sourcing and adoption of AI technologies to drive operational and cost efficiencies as they relate specifically to the Legal and Compliance Team and the building of a model to track Legal & Compliance Team capacity and work allocation quarter by quarter against the annual Legal and Compliance Team annual aggregate budget.

The Legal Strategy & Operations Director plays a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Legal & Compliance Team, aligning its operations with overall business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning:

• Provides strategic support to the Chief Legal Officer, assisting in the development and execution of short-term and long-term business strategies, and strategic vision, including the identification of key legal risks and opportunities.

Project Management:

• Develops and owns the delivery of key projects and strategic initiatives, ensuring they align with organizational goals, and supports the resource planning for legal initiatives.

Process Improvement:

• Analyzes and optimizes processes across Legal & Compliance.
• Sources and implements AI technologies tailored to the Legal & Compliance Team.
• Develops and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) and tracks data to assess the Legal & Compliance Team's effectiveness and identifies areas for improvement.

Operational Management:

• Oversees day-to-day legal operations, managing budgets, resource allocation between internal and external counsel, and vendor relationships within the Legal & Compliance Team.
• Provides certain law clerk functions including recording the board minutes of meetings.

Stakeholder Management:

• Facilitate cross-organization communication and collaboration.

Talent development:

• Identifies and supports the professional development of legal team members

Qualifications/Skills:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in commerce or a related field required; advanced degree preferred; law degree welcomed but not required.
• Experience: 7+ years of experience in legal operations, business management, or related fields
• Strategic Leadership: Proven experience in strategic planning, execution, and driving key initiatives.
• Business Acumen: Strong business and financial acumen, translating strategy into actionable plans.
• Legal/Regulatory: Non-technical understanding of corporate and regulatory legal principles and practices, as well as transferable experience in legal operations.
• Project Management and Innovation: Expertise in project management methodologies and techniques, process improvement, and technology and analytic applications.
• Communication: Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, coupled with strategic thinking.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and the ability to produce high-quality documents and presentations for executive-level audiences.

Why should you join us?

• We are one of Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers' 2023 & 2024.
• We believe in innovation and a vibrant culture - work for an innovative, people-first, financial services firm that values entrepreneurialism.
• We believe in a flexible work structure - A flexible hybrid work model that empowers you to do your best work whether at home or the office.
• We care about your rewards - Competitive compensation including equity program.
• We care about your health - comprehensive group health and dental benefits and life insurance at little to no cost to you. We also offer a Lifestyle Spending Account for all your wellness needs.
• We care about your quality of life - flexible paid time-off policy with unlimited vacation days, and flexible sick and mental health days.
• We care about your family - Paid parental leave for eligible employees with a top-up.
• We care about your future - Generous Group RRSP matching and an optional TFSA program.
• We care about your development - We offer training opportunities and tuition support year-round.

Purpose Unlimited is an equal employer, and we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and barrier-free work environment for all employees and candidates. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply and if accommodation is required during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact any member of the People and Culture team at PeopleCultureTeam@purpose-unlimited.com.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Our work philosophy is a hybrid model allowing for flexibility and collaboration.