The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is the statutory body responsible for regulating Ontario’s capital markets in accordance with the mandate established in the provincial Securities Act and the Commodity Futures Act. The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets and confidence in the capital markets, to foster capital formation, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk. This mandate is performed through policy, operational, and enforcement activities. The OSC also contributes to national and global securities regulation development.

The OSC created a dedicated Investor Office with an aim to achieve better investor outcomes. The Investor Office sets the strategic direction and leads the OSC’s efforts in investor engagement, education and outreach and research, brings investor perspectives to the organization and leads and supports important policy development.

The Opportunity

The Investor Office is looking for a Legal Counsel II to join the team for a 6 month contract (with possible extension) and play an important role in supporting a range of initiatives that address key investor experience and protection

issues. Reporting to the Head of Policy, the Legal Counsel will support investor-focused policy and operational initiatives.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in significant policy and regulatory initiatives that impact retail investors, the investing experience and investor protection, and provide analysis and advice on policy and regulatory issues, the retail investor perspective and associated key investor interests.
• Participate in and, in some cases, lead the development and execution of projects that address challenging policy and regulatory issues and OSC strategic priorities and that may involve coordinating diverse stakeholders within the OSC and in other CSA jurisdictions.
• With other team members, serve as an OSC representative on and support the responsibilities and operations of the OBSI Joint Regulators Committee.
• Assess and advise on how securities regulatory issues, proposals and initiatives impact retail investors, the investing experience and investor protection.
• Engage with novel, complex and innovative matters in collaboration with other OSC subject matter experts across many areas of the Commission, identifying opportunities to challenge established approaches and practices.
• Advocate for OSC views and work with other team members to negotiate effectively with stakeholders to reach a resolution on contentious issues.
• Provide advice to the Head of Policy and Vice President to enable sound strategic decision-making on a wide range of policy and regulatory issues.
• Monitor and analyze investor protection initiatives and relevant regulatory developments in other markets in Canada and internationally, and inform Senior Legal Counsels, the Manager and the Director of developing trends and practices.
• Support team goals and priorities, manage initiative and reporting deliverables and monitor milestones, outcomes and achievements.
• Engage and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including OBSI, investor groups, industry associations, market participants and other regulators.

Qualifications

• Lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• A minimum of 3 years' relevant securities regulatory experience.
• Strong understanding of the securities industry, securities regulation and key areas of investor concern and investor protection.
• Knowledge of retail investor perspectives, issues and stakeholders.
• Confidence engaging with novel financial product and service offerings and associated regulatory considerations.
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, and ability to independently research complex regulatory issues and confidently convey difficult concepts in a meaningful way.
• Highly motivated and proactive team player who thrives in a dynamic environment of continually shifting priorities with multiple concurrent deadlines.
• High level of judgement, decision-making and problem-solving ability.
• Works well with individuals at all levels and across sectors and jurisdictions.
• A demonstrated ability to make sound, practical recommendations.
• Commitment to building positive working relationships and engaging with internal and external stakeholders productively.
• Confidence and comfort working in an agile team environment with minimal direction, assisting others, and performing at a high level under pressure.

Grow your career and make a difference working at the OSC.

* OSC Employees: please apply in Workday using the Browse Jobs feature within your Jobs Hub *

We thank all applicants for their interest in the Ontario Securities Commission. We will contact those selected for an interview.

The OSC is committed to diversity and providing an inclusive workplace and providing accommodation in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Human Rights Code. It is our priority to ensure employment opportunities are visible and barrier-free to all under-represented groups including but not limited to, Indigenous, Black and racialized groups, people with disabilities, women and people from the 2SLGBTQI+ community, to achieve an employee demographic profile reflective of the demographic profile of Ontarians.

The OSC is a proud partner with the following organizations: Ascend Canada, BlackNorth Initiative, Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, and Pride at Work Canada

If you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know by contacting our confidential inbox HRRecruitment@osc.gov.on.ca.

Visit Accessibility at the OSC to review the OSC’s policies on accessibility and accommodation in the workplace.