Senior Legal Counsel – Employment & Litigation

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space (TSX:MDA) (NYSE:MDA) is a trusted mission partner to the global space and defence industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The MDA Space team of more than 4,000 space experts in Canada, the US and the UK has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there.

The Role:

We are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel – Employment & Litigation to join the MDA Space Legal team. In this role, you will provide support across the MDA Space business on a variety of employment and litigation related matters, including employee relations, terminations and severance, workplace issues and investigations, accessibility, litigation and claims management and discrete mergers & acquisitions matters. The successful candidate will be expected to take full ownership over complex legal files in these areas, managing support for such matters from inception of the issue to completion, while working with HR business partners to translate legal concepts into practical business solutions.

Job Responsibilities:

• Employment Claims & Investigations: Lead the defence and settlement of all employment-related claims while ensuring consistency with the organization’s business objectives. Support HR business partners with all internal employee investigations.
• Collective Bargaining: Supports the organization with collective bargaining negotiations and all matters relating to the organization’s unionized workforce.
• Governance and Risk Management: Develop a framework for managing employment risks that minimizes exposure for employment liability and implements mitigation strategies for existing risks.
• Training and Education: Support with drafting and review of policies, template employment contracts and employee processes to ensure compliance with applicable laws and best practices. Support HR teams with training and education programs aimed at reducing employment liability exposure.
• Regulatory Changes: Monitor employee-related legislative developments and advise HR business partners on required operational changes.
• Litigation: Manage commercial litigation, class action claims and regulatory disputes from onset of a matter through resolution.
• Mergers & Acquisitions: Provide strategic legal advice to the MDA Space human resources leadership team on employment-related issues that arise in any M&A activity being carried out by the organization.
• Managing External Counsel: Engage and manage outside legal counsel to provide support when required, ensuring efficient delivery of services and disciplined budgets are being met.

Job Qualifications:

• LLB or JD from an accredited law school and member in good standing of a Canadian provincial bar.
• Minimum 8+ years post-call experience as a lawyer, ideally with experience both as in-house counsel and with a top-tier law firm. Experience should be primarily focused on management-side labour/employment support, with experience supporting commercial litigation matters viewed as an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to provide business-oriented legal advice and recommendations.
• Strong communication skills, and an ability to present clear and practical legal guidance that support the achievement of business objectives. Ability to work in English and French is considered a strong asset.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a capacity to build strong working relationships across the organization.
• Keen attention to detail, ability to work independently and as part of a team, and willingness to take ownership over all areas of support.
• Strong business judgment with an understanding of when to ask for guidance or input.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to effectively manage priorities while meeting timelines.

Clearances: Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the NATO Secret level, and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP).

We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDASPACE to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth. If you’re excited to expand our place in space and driven to inspire the next generation, we’ll take you there.

We have entered a new era of exploration and development, and MDA welcomes all who yearn to suit up and be part of it. An equal opportunity employer prizing diversity, integrity and collaboration, we are committed to growing MDA Space and Canada’s leadership in this next golden age.

MDA Space provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA Space, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care including; extended healthcare and flexible drug plans, dental and vision benefits, disability income protection, life insurance, group retirement savings plans; and an employee and family assistance program.

MDA Space is proud to provide accommodation(s) during the recruitment process. Should you require any accommodations, please indicate this on your application/cover letter and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.

The compensation range for this position is $190,000-210,000 annually. The specific compensation offered will be based on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.