VP, Managing Counsel- ADP Canada

Toronto, ON
On-site
Posted Nov 4, 2026
1 position

Opens an external site

Employment type: Full-time
Experience level: Lead · 10+ years
Minimum education: Master’s degree
Posting language: English
Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job summary

The VP, Managing Counsel will lead the Canadian legal function and provide strategic legal advice to the ADP Canada senior leadership team. This role involves overseeing corporate secretarial functions, managing regulatory compliance, and handling contractual disputes and litigation.

Job details

ADP is hiring a VP, Managing Counsel - ADP Canada This role will be responsible for leading the Canadian legal function and providing day to day legal support and advice to management and associates of ADP Canada. Works closely with the Toronto-based ADP Canada Senior Leadership Team. Coordinates and works with others on the team to drive growth within the business and provides advice and support on all matters requiring legal review and sign off. Liaises with members of the global Legal Department, Global Compliance, and management. Stays abreast of legal, regulatory and industry developments that can impact the business of ADP Canada. Oversees corporate secretarial function for ADP affiliate entities in Canada. Responsibilities: * Work closely as a strategic business partner with and as a member of the ADP Canada senior leadership team, identifying, analyzing, and taking action to resolve legal and risk-related issues which may affect the reputation of the business. * Lead a small legal team based in Canada in support of ADP Canada. Collaborate with cross-functional teams as needed. * Identify and articulate the legal/regulatory risks and compliance issues associated with the business to provide proactive advice and strategies to address and manage these risks. * Provide balanced, strategic, and practical legal advice to all levels of the business relating to ADP Canada’s business operations and corporate functions and the introduction of new products and services initiatives. * Provide guidance and work closely with the Canada Risk & Compliance and Global Compliance to advocate for and promote a culture of compliance throughout the local business and support the successful execution of compliance initiatives in the business. * Collaborate, review and provide advice to the Global Contracts Team (central-led team) and business leaders, as required, on contractual issues and disputes with clients. * Provide counsel and advice to business leaders in managing and resolving disputes, litigation, investigations, and regulatory matters; responsible for liaising with ADP’s Corporate Litigation team and engaging external litigation counsel, as required. * Maintain current knowledge of legal issues of importance to ADP through participation in continuing legal education and membership in appropriate bar and professional associations. * Reports into ADP’s Corporate Legal Department. Must be able to collaborate and work with other ADP lawyers globally. * Present periodically at senior leadership meetings and client-facing events on Canadian legal developments of interest to employers of all sizes. * Works on special projects and performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications: * Completion of a law degree (LL.B. or equivalent degree). * Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario, or another provincial bar is required. * 10+ years of relevant post-call legal practice as in-house counsel for a corporation in a regulated industry, with experience advising senior and business unit management. * Demonstrated experience with contract drafting and negotiation and Compliance, including Privacy, Anti-Money Laundering regulation, Retail Payment Activities Act, and Quebec Chart of the French Language. * Demonstrated experience with all regulatory interaction including exams. * Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, presentation skills, strong negotiation skills with good business judgment, and time and project management skills necessary. * Strong interest in and understanding of technology and emerging technologies. Preferred Qualifications: Preference will be given to candidates who have and can demonstrate the following competencies and skills: * Excellent drafting and negotiations skills with demonstrated business and legal judgment, strong problem-solving and analytical skills. * Excellent organizational, interpersonal, presentation, oral and written communication skills. * Ability to positively influence actions of multiple stakeholders, as well as balance the needs of ADP and its clients. * Ability to effectively explain complex legal principles to non-legal business leaders and stakeholders. * Excellent client engagement and advocacy skills. * Strong time management skills, and ability to prioritize workload in a fast-paced environment. * Ability to think strategically and creatively based on knowledge of the business. * Flexible and have the ability to adapt to the needs of a growing business. * Detail oriented with strong attention to accuracy and problem solving. * Strong work ethic focused on providing excellent customer service. * Employment law knowledge and experience would be a definite asset. * Proficient in MS Office: Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. * Fluency in written and spoken French is a definite asset. #LI- Exec #LI-AF1

What you’ll do

Requirements

Candidates must hold a law degree and be a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario or another provincial bar. A minimum of 10 years of post-call legal experience in a regulated industry is required, along with expertise in contract negotiation and regulatory interaction.