POSITION:            Senior Legal Counsel - Construction
REPORTS TO:      General Counsel    
DEPARTMENT:     Legal Services    
LOCATION:           North Bay
REFERENCE:        800-202-26
SALARY:               $136,786 - $160,914

WHO WE ARE:
Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) is an Agency of the Province of Ontario that provides efficient and vital transportation services. We are a modern, forward-thinking organization focused on providing safe and reliable transportation services. ONTC has a rich history of over 120 years and strong connections to the communities we serve. With over 1100 skilled professionals, we work together to enhance transportation services and ensure that they are sustainable for future generations.  We offer a dynamic workplace culture, along with a competitive salary, excellent benefit package, a defined benefit pension plan, paid vacation, paid personal leave days and discounted transportation on our bus and passenger rail services. 

ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT:
The Senior Legal Counsel – Construction is responsible for leading and managing all legal activities related to capital and construction projects, including complex commercial transactions. This role ensures the identification, mitigation, and management of legal and regulatory risks throughout the project lifecycle. The Senior Legal Counsel oversees dispute resolution and conflict management arising from construction activities and provides strategic legal advice to senior leadership.

MAJOR DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure the timely and high‑quality delivery of legal services to internal and external clients.
• Provide expert legal advice across diverse areas of law, with an emphasis on construction law and complex commercial matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate construction‑related agreements, applying advanced knowledge of construction law and industry standards.
• Advise on bonding, procurement processes, dispute resolution mechanisms, and complex contractual issues.
• Review third‑party agreements and recommend amendments to reduce risk and ensure compliance.
• Manage construction‑related disputes, conflict resolution processes, and litigation matters.
• Research and analyze legal issues and provide recommendations to support business and project decisions.
• Monitor and interpret new legislation, regulations, and case law, advising on implications to the organization.
• Deliver training to internal stakeholders on emerging legal issues and legal‑related best practices.
• Engage, manage, and collaborate with external counsel and consultants, ensuring effective legal strategies and cost‑efficient services.
• Provide legal mentorship and cross‑functional support to Procurement, Facilities, Rail Operations, Project Management teams, and other internal clients.
• Provide legal advice on environmental and land‑use issues.
• Support procurement processes and ensure compliance with procurement‑related legal requirements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant government directives and statutory obligations.
• Provide motivating and supportive leadership to direct reports within the Legal Department.
• Model and promote the organization’s mission, vision, and values in all interactions.
• Oversee and delegate work assignments to legal staff, ensuring alignment with departmental priorities.
• Provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and performance management to Legal Counsel, Legal Contract Administrators, Legal Assistants, and Clerks.
• Provide legal support to the General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, and Executive team as required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LL.B.
• Member of the Law Society of Ontario, or eligible for membership.
• More than 10 years of legal experience, including a minimum of 5 years specializing in construction law in Ontario.
• Extensive knowledge of the Construction Act (Ontario).
• Strong expertise in bonding, lien matters, dispute resolution, and construction‑related conflict management.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including supervising lawyers and other professional staff.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating CCDC and other construction‑related agreements.
• Proven ability to provide legal advice to senior management and executive leadership.
• Experience managing legal matters for public‑sector infrastructure projects.
• Background in land‑use planning, procurement, and/or environmental law.
• Experience overseeing litigation and dispute‑resolution processes related to construction projects.
• Ability to collaborate with and effectively manage external counsel.
• Participation in organizational strategic and business planning.
• Strong leadership and people‑management skills, including communication, coaching, delegation, change management, time management, and performance management.
• Advanced contract‑drafting and legal‑analysis skills.
• Strong risk‑management capabilities, political acuity, and sound judgment.
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong negotiation and influencing abilities.
• Effective relationship‑building skills with internal stakeholders, external partners, municipalities, contractors, and senior leaders.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new software and legal technologies.

 
APPLICATION PROCESS: The successful candidate will need to pass the following clearances: criminal record check, employment references and education verification.

CLOSING DATE: April 6, 2026, no later than 11:59 p.m. Qualified individuals are invited to apply in writing with a current covering letter and resume (provided in one document), stating reference name and number.  Visit our career website to apply: https://www.ontarionorthland.ca/en/careers
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
If it is determined that any information provided in the application or during the recruitment process is false, misleading, or incomplete, Ontario Northland may discontinue your candidacy from further consideration.

At Ontario Northland, we are committed to employment equity.  We value the unique skills and experiences each person brings to Ontario Northland and invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+.
Ontario Northland will provide accommodation to ensure barrier-free employment in accordance with the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. You can request accommodation at any stage of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources.
ONTC does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to make or inform hiring decisions. We do use an external applicant tracking system (ATS) to help manage applications efficiently. While the ATS may apply basic automated filters or sorting functions, all applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters.
Les offres d'emploi sont également disponibles en français. Visitez notre site Web sur les carrières ou appelez le 1-800-363-7512, poste 394 pour plus de renseignements.