The Chief Legal Counsel of U.S. Corporate Affairs and Governance, Legal Services will be a leadership position responsible for managing a small team and providing legal expertise in various domains. More specifically, the person in this role will support the Chief U.S. Counsel and Corporate Secretary in managing the corporate governance processes and team, and providing expertise in board meetings, governance strategies, and corporate matters. They will provide support for various intracompany support functions for all U.S. entities. They will support the Senior Director, U.S. Affairs, in the coordination and execution of mergers and acquisitions, including post-closing integration of newly acquired entities. This role will serve as a key liaison with iA Financial Group’s Parent Company and will work in close collaboration with the Chief U.S. Counsel, Senior Director, U.S. Affairs, U.S. business leaders, iA Financial Group legal team and executives, outside counsel and other stakeholders. This role is expected to grow to take on additional responsibilities to support the continued growth and success of the organization.

Essential Duties

• Prepares board materials, supports board agendas and minutes, and assists with oversight of the corporate secretarial team. May serve as Corporate Secretary for certain subsidiary companies. Proactively determines pending governance matters, including annual and quarterly resolutions, and assists with the coordination of in-person meetings for all U.S. subsidiaries.
• Supports Chief U.S. Counsel with entity management and governance for the primary operating companies and related U.S. subsidiaries.
• Prepares reports for meetings of the Board of Directors and/or committees of the Board with respect to legal and compliance matters.
• Drafts, develops and reviews various contracts, corporate policies, procedures, and programs.
• Supports all U.S. corporate governance matters in collaboration with Chief U.S. Counsel and Corporate Secretary
• Provides support and oversight on various U.S. employment matters, in partnership with Human Resources and outside counsel as needed.
• Support Senior Director, U.S. Affairs, in legal expertise related to U.S. merger & acquisition activities.
• Supports the Chief U.S. Counsel as needed to support U.S. legal operations, including support for legal management issues, operations/process issues, and other responsibilities as assigned.
• Recommends changes based on legislative and regulatory activity and directs legal strategy to meet the objectives of the organization and deal with changing business priorities.
• Works closely with senior management and other members of the iA American Warranty Group, iA American Life Insurance, iA Portfolio Management, IA American Holdings, and other U.S. business teams as assigned.
• Collaborates with other corporate legal advisors within iA American and iA Financial Group.
• Responsible for managing a small team, including the overall success of hiring, training, coaching, performance management and development.

Education, Work Experience And Training Requirements

• Juris Doctor Degree.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience practicing law, preferably with 5 years in a corporate environment.
• Extensive experience with corporate governance, including corporate secretary responsibilities, and regulatory matters.
• Familiarity with United States employment law and human resources matters.
• Experience in corporate mergers and acquisitions.
• Experience managing staff in a corporate environment; experience with cost-effective management of outside legal resources.
• Experience in the insurance and financial services industry is preferred.
• Admitted to practice law in at least one state.

Knowledge, Skill, And Ability Requirements

• Ability to proactively anticipate legal issues and address those issues with business partners.
• Strong computer/MS Office skills; ability to learn other software systems quickly.
• Ability to influence others in a positive and respectful manner.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Strong leadership, team spirit, interpersonal skills and ability to foster collaborative work
• Initiative, good judgment and global vision
• Solid research and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to perform under pressure and manage multiple projects.
• Ability to analyze and think critically.
• Ability to keep work well organized and prioritize well with a commitment to operational efficiency.
• Ability to receive direction and work with supervisors well.
• Ability to work independently as well as function effectively as a team player.
• Ability to adapt well to change, both procedural and organizational.
• A positive, learning-oriented attitude.

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Company

IA American Life Insurance Company

Posting End Date

2025-06-30

About us

iA American Warranty LP, American Amicable Group of Companies, iA American Life Insurance Company and Industrial Alliance Portfolio Management LLC are all part of iA Financial Group, one of the largest insurance and wealth management groups in North America. In the last few years, iA American has been thoughtfully built by iA Financial Group through the acquisition of several US based entities. Our suite of products and services includes automotive protection packages, reinsurance options, dealer support, direct-to-consumer products, in-house administration, life insurance, progressive special markets, and more!

iA Financial Group is the fourth largest life and health insurance company in Canada and offers a wide range of products for all stages of life and to meet the needs of clients across its vast sales network. Founded in 1892, iA Financial Group’s stability and solidity make it an employer of choice that invests in its employees and their development over the long term. Our CEO Denis Ricard won #1 Insurance CEO in Canada from Glassdoor!

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Our differences make us unique, and even stronger. That’s why, at iA Financial Group, we are committed to supporting and celebrating diversity. We are continually building a team that is as diverse as the people and communities we serve. By combining our different ways of seeing and experiencing the world, we will always be stronger than the sum of our parts! To learn more click here.