Senior Legal Counsel

Job summary

Lead and manage complex commercial and transactional matters, focusing on asset acquisition, disposition, leasing, and financing. Provide strategic legal advice to business teams and coordinate with international counsel to ensure regulatory compliance across various jurisdictions.

Job details

Urban Legal Recruitment is pleased to be conducting an exclusive search on behalf of Avmax in the recruitment of Senior Legal Counsel to join its Calgary-based legal team. Avmax is a well-established and internationally recognized aviation organization offering a comprehensive range of aviation products and services. With operations, facilities, and business activities across the globe, Avmax has built a strong reputation within the aviation industry and provides a truly international platform for its legal team. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, the successful candidate will play a key role in supporting Avmax's commercial and transactional activities, with a primary focus on complex asset acquisition and disposition transactions, leasing arrangements, financing matters, and cross-border commercial agreements. This is an exceptional opportunity for a commercially minded lawyer seeking exposure to sophisticated domestic and international transactions while serving as a trusted strategic advisor to the business. Key Responsibilities: Lead and manage complex commercial and transactional matters from initial structuring through closing and post-closing implementation. Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including purchase and sale agreements, leasing arrangements, financing documents, assignments, novations, and related ancillary documentation. Provide strategic legal advice to business and finance teams regarding transaction structures, risk mitigation, and commercial objectives. Manage multiple concurrent transactions across various jurisdictions while ensuring efficient execution and successful completion. Coordinate with external counsel and advisors in Canada and internationally on cross-border transactions and jurisdiction-specific legal matters. Advise on regulatory, compliance, tax, and risk-related considerations associated with international commercial transactions. Support interactions with regulatory authorities and assist with compliance requirements relating to registrations, licensing, and operational matters. Develop and maintain precedent agreements, transaction templates, and internal processes to improve efficiency and consistency. Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and commercial risks while providing practical, business-focused solutions. Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including KYC, sanctions, and related due diligence obligations. Support the organization in managing disputes and legal proceedings arising from commercial or transactional matters. Ensure the organization's operations remain compliant with applicable laws and regulations. Provide guidance and mentorship to legal support staff and assist with workflow management within the legal department. Retain and manage external legal counsel and advisors as required. Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, counterparties, financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and external advisors. Qualifications: LL.B. or J.D. from an accredited law school. Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta (or eligibility for admission). Minimum 5+ years of experience practicing corporate, commercial, or transactional law. Significant experience leading sophisticated purchase and sale, leasing, financing, or other complex commercial transactions. Strong commercial acumen with exceptional negotiation, drafting, and contract management skills. Demonstrated ability to lead complex negotiations and manage high-value transactions. Excellent analytical, organizational, planning, and problem-solving abilities. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels. High degree of professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, and sound business judgment. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple competing priorities. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. Valid Canadian passport and willingness to travel occasionally, as required. Preferred Experience: Experience in aviation, transportation, infrastructure, equipment leasing, asset-based financing, or similar industries. Significant experience managing purchase and sale transactions, leasing arrangements, financing transactions, or structured commercial transactions. Experience managing international transactions and coordinating with foreign counsel across multiple jurisdictions. Experience with leasing, financing, structured transactions, or other complex commercial arrangements. Familiarity with emerging legal technologies and AI-assisted legal tools is considered an asset. Why Consider This Opportunity? Beyond the opportunity to work on sophisticated commercial transactions with an international reach, Avmax offers an excellent compensation and benefits package together with a supportive and collaborative culture. Highlights include: Competitive base salary RRSP program Extended health and dental benefits Health Care Spending Account Personal days Hybrid work environment (one work-from-home day per week) Employer-paid parking Discretionary bonus opportunity Professional growth and development incentives Opportunity for advancement This is an outstanding opportunity for a lawyer who is looking to build a long-term career with a respected global aviation company while enjoying meaningful work, a high degree of autonomy, and excellent exposure to senior business leaders. Please note, only candidates already residing in Calgary or those with a demonstrated commitment to relocating to Calgary will be considered. Interested and qualified candidates are invited to apply via LinkedIn or by emailing their resume directly to Stacy Cowan at [email protected]. At Urban Legal Recruitment, we prioritize discretion and confidentiality. We appreciate all applicants' interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

What you’ll do

Lead and manage complex commercial and transactional matters, focusing on asset acquisition, disposition, leasing, and financing. Provide strategic legal advice to business teams and coordinate with international counsel to ensure regulatory compliance across various jurisdictions.

Requirements

Requires an LL.B. or J.D. and membership in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta. Candidates must have at least 5 years of experience in corporate or transactional law with a strong background in high-value commercial negotiations.

Benefits

• RRSP program • Extended health and dental benefits • Health Care Spending Account • Personal days • Employer-paid parking • Discretionary bonus opportunity • Professional growth and development incentives • Opportunity for advancement

Listed skills

• Regulatory Compliance · Preferred
• Stakeholder Management · Preferred
• Contract Negotiation · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Corporate Law
• Commercial Law
• Transactional Law
• Contract Negotiation
• Legal Drafting
• Asset Acquisition
• Leasing Arrangements
• Financing Matters
• Cross-border Agreements
• Risk Mitigation
• Regulatory Compliance
• Due Diligence
• Stakeholder Management
• Strategic Advisory
• Contract Management
• Legal Research

Job areas

• Legal
• Transportation
• Finance & Accounting
• Management & Leadership
• Consulting