Job description
Description
Being part of Air Canada is to become part of an iconic Canadian symbol, recently ranked the best Airline in North America. Let your career take flight by joining our diverse and vibrant team at the leading edge of passenger aviation.
Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international airline serving more than 220 airports on six continents and the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking from independent U.K. research firm Skytrax. In 2019, Air Canada has been voted for the eighth time in ten years, the Best Airline in North America. We are among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2018 served nearly 51 million customers. We plan on serving and delighting even more. We are undergoing significant growth and transforming to become a global aviation champion.
We have an innovative legal team that continues to earn the respect and confidence of its internal clients, participating as true business partners to support Air Canada’s strategic objectives. When you join Air Canada and its Legal Department, you’ll become a vital part of a team of driven professionals that are truly making a difference, connecting Canada and the world.
Responsibilities:
We are looking for a counsel to join our team of professionals in Montreal. The successful candidate will work on a variety of commercial transactions with a current focus on aircraft and other equipment related transactions. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a major law firm or an established in-house legal department and strong written and oral communication skills, possess good business judgment and be strategic, pragmatic and thorough with a solid ability to assess legal risk. The successful candidate will also possess strong drafting, negotiating and analytical skills, be a leader, self-motivated and someone who thrives on challenges, having responsibility and enjoys working in a dynamic and constantly evolving environment alongside a very cohesive team of professionals.
The ideal candidate should have a strong commercial law background and possess particular experience in the drafting and negotiation of a variety of commercial agreements, including sale and purchase agreements, leasing agreements, secured financing & loan agreements and agreements for the procurement of “mission critical” goods and services.
The successful candidate will be responsible for providing advice on contractual matters and other legal issues as well as drafting, reviewing and commenting on contractual and other documentation and will play an important role in negotiating and supporting the “client” at all phases of a project, from conception through the letter of intent to completion of the final transaction.
Intangible Benefits:
The selected candidate will often be required to work autonomously but will have the benefit of working closely and exchanging with other senior counsel and internal clients who have acquired a broad and deep understanding of all commercial aspects of the business. While demands are often as high as in private practice, workflow tends to be more predictable. The work is diverse and challenging and not monotonous. There are regular opportunities for exposure to new mandates; the range of available work is wide and quality is typically high. An international dimension is also present for one for whom an international practice, based in Montreal, is an attraction.
Qualifications
The candidate should have a track record demonstrating the following qualities or characteristics:
- Drive for results and urgency and motivation towards achievement of goals;
- Ability to understand, anticipate and meet “client” needs, effectively communicating and always remaining cognizant of related risks;
- Strong desire to participate as part of a team and initiative to empower and guide the team (when appropriate), with an ability to contribute to a shared sense of direction;
- Be strategic and creative and ability to consider, refine and merge different approaches to achieve workable solutions;
- Inclination to take initiative and be proactive and resourceful;
- Be supportive of innovation, and adaptable and flexible to work effectively in a context of rapid change and to grasp opportunities to learn and build knowledge;
- Capacity to work autonomously and under pressure, displaying composure in difficult situations;
- Thoroughness, tenacity and resilience to persevere towards goals, despite challenges and obstacles, maintaining enthusiasm through to the attainment of the goals;
- Have a practical and business-oriented approach, recognizing the operational and commercial implications of any commercial arrangement.
The successful candidate will be someone who is willing to go beyond a defined role, to tackle issues oneself as a means to increase overall effectiveness and who looks at the broad context to decide what action is called for to achieve the desired result. He or she will be prepared to pursue the tough option if it means doing the right thing for the business. She or he will consider the financial, operational or strategic impact of all actions and decisions and ensure that these factors are appropriately considered.
The ability to convey messages and thoughts clearly, concisely, persuasively and in a focused manner; to listen and question appropriately in order to gain full understanding; to tailor the message appropriately to the listeners; and to share information, ideas and feedback in a timely manner are essential. Integrity (including a strong work ethic, high personal standards, discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information, dedication to follow through on commitments, and openness and honesty in communications as well as a respectful demeanor) is assumed. The successful candidate will be one who takes pride in her or his role as a representative of Canada’s flag carrier.
Solid academic credentials and a proven track record must be demonstrated. Membership in the Bar of a Canadian Province or U.S. State is essential and common and civil law training is an asset. Based on equal qualifications, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.
Conditions of Employment:
- Candidates must be eligible to work in the country of interest, at the time any offer of employment is made and seeking any required work permits/visas or other authorizations which may be required is the sole responsibility of the candidates applying for this position.
Linguistic Requirements
Based on equal qualifications, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.
Diversity and Inclusion
Air Canada is strongly committed to Diversity and Inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible and rewarding work environment which highlights employees’ unique contributions to our company’s success.
As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all to help us build a diverse workforce which reflects the diversity of our customers, and communities, in which we live and serve.
Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest; however only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted.