Legal Counsel - Commercial Contracts and Aircraft Financing

Belonging to Air Canada is akin to belonging to a Canadian icon, as Air Canada has been recently named the Best Airline in North America. Take your career to new heights by joining our innovative and diverse team poised at the forefront of passenger aviation.

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance – the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada’s scheduled passenger service directly serves over 180 airports in Canada, the United States and internationally on six continents. Air Canada holds a four-star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 partners, as well as numerous hotel, car rental, and retail partners. Through Vacances Air Canada, the company offers more choices than any other Canadian tour operator for hundreds of destinations worldwide, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, tours, and car rentals. Air Canada Cargo, Air Canada’s freight division, provides lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada has set a long-term net-zero emissions goal by 2050.

Endowed with an innovative spirit, our Legal Affairs team enjoys the trust and respect of its colleagues and acts as true business partners in supporting Air Canada's strategic objectives. By joining Air Canada and Legal Affairs, you will become an essential member of a dynamic team of professionals who proudly wave our flag every day and showcase the very best of Canada to the world.

Key Responsibilities:

We are looking for Legal Counsel to join our team of professionals in Montreal. The selected candidate will work on a variety of projects related to commercial operations, with a primary focus on aircraft and other equipment transactions. The candidate will possess a minimum of three years of relevant experience within a major law firm or corporate legal department, demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills, exercise business judgment, be strategic, pragmatic, and conscientious, and possess the ability to assess legal risks. The successful candidate will possess strong drafting and negotiation skills, have excellent analytical skills, act as a leader, and be highly motivated. The incumbent will be stimulated by challenges and responsibilities, and will enjoy working in a dynamic and constantly evolving environment within a cohesive team of professionals.

The ideal candidate must possess solid experience in commercial law and specific experience in drafting and negotiating a variety of documents related to commercial agreements, notably purchase and sale contracts, lease agreements, and agreements for the supply of critical goods and services.

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing advice on contractual affairs and other legal matters and will be required to draft, review, and comment on contractual and other documents. They will play an important role in negotiations with the "client" and will support them through every phase of a project, from the conception and drafting of the letter of intent to the completion of the final transaction.

Qualifications

The candidate must demonstrate, supported by a professional track record, that they possess the following qualities or skills:

• results-oriented, eager, and motivated to achieve objectives;
• ability to understand and anticipate the needs of the "client" and respond to them; remain aware of risks and communicate them effectively;
• deep desire to work within a team;
• strategic and creative, having the ability to examine, refine, and merge different approaches to find practical solutions;
• willingness to show initiative and be proactive and helpful;
• attitude favorable to innovation, adaptability, availability to work effectively in a rapidly changing environment, and willingness to seize opportunities to learn and develop;
• ability to work autonomously and under pressure and to remain calm in difficult situations;
• rigor, tenacity, resilience, and enthusiasm in the pursuit of objectives, despite difficulties and obstacles;
• practical, business-oriented approach that recognizes the operational and commercial repercussions of any commercial agreement.
• Demonstrate punctuality and reliability to support the overall success of the team in a fast-paced environment.

The successful candidate must have the willingness to go beyond the defined role, tackle problems with the aim of increasing overall efficiency, and consider the big picture before deciding on the actions to take to achieve the desired result. They must be prepared to make difficult decisions if it is in the interest of the company. They will assess the financial, operational, and strategic impacts of all measures and decisions, and ensure these factors are adequately considered.

It is essential to have the ability to communicate messages and ideas clearly, concisely, persuasively, and targetedly, to listen and ask appropriate questions to fully understand, to adapt the message to the audience, and to transmit information, ideas, and feedback in a timely manner. The successful candidate will be recognized for their integrity (solid work ethic, high personal standards, ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion, willingness to respect commitments, open-mindedness and honesty in communications, and respectful behavior). The successful candidate will be proud of their role as a representative of Canada's national carrier.

Outstanding diplomas and certifications and a track record demonstrating past performance. Membership in the bar of a Canadian province or an American state is essential. Training in common law and civil law is an asset. All things being equal, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Intangible Benefits

The successful candidate will often have to work autonomously, but will be able to collaborate closely and exchange with other legal counsel and internal clients who have acquired a deep and broad understanding of all aspects of the business. Requirements are often as high as in private practice and work can be unpredictable, depending on the operational needs of the organization. The work is varied and stimulating, never monotonous. The person occupying this position will be regularly exposed to new mandates; the available scope of activity is vast and requires high-quality work. The work includes an international dimension, which will certainly interest anyone wishing to practice in this field in Montreal.

Conditions of Employment:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country concerned at the time an offer of employment is presented and are responsible for obtaining work permits, visas, or other necessary authorizations. Proof of eligibility must be provided before the start date.

Language Requirements

All things being equal, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Diversity and Inclusion

Air Canada is resolutely committed to diversity and inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible, and rewarding workplace that highlights the unique contribution of our employees to the success of our business.

As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage the most diverse applications so that we can have a varied workforce representative of our customers and the communities where we live and offer our services.

Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.