VIA Rail CanadaVerified Job Source

Legal Counsel Procurement & Contract Governance

Montréal, QC
On-site
Posted Aug 28, 2026
1 position

$102,463–$120,545 / year

Opens an external site

Employment type: Full-time
Experience level: Senior · 5+ years
Minimum education: Professional degree
Apply by: Sep 21, 2026
Posting language: English
Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job summary

The candidate will act as counsel for the negotiation, approval, and management of various commercial contracts while advising business units on legal risks. They will also oversee contract governance, ensure compliance with internal rules, and manage external legal counsel services.

Job details

Reference Number : 1433 Status : Permanent - Full-time Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $113,000 - $133,000 Number of positions to be filled : 1 Application Deadline : 09/20/2026 Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility. Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel Manager, the candidate acts as counsel for the negotiation, approval and management of contracts within the Legal Services team. RESPONSIBILITIES Contract Approval • Review, negotiate, and approve contracts, many of which require complex negotiations with organizations and parties with diverse interests (contracts for the purchase of goods and services, information technology, infrastructure access, construction, marketing, confidentiality, and leases); • Advise business units on contract matters by identifying issues, resolving disputes, and suggesting appropriate solutions based on the legal and commercial risks assessed by this senior legal counsel; • When the services of external legal counsel are required, ensure the effective management of their services and the associated budget; • Provide the required support to the Senior Legal Counsel Manager • Work in collaboration with the paralegal. Contract Governance and Contract Management • Ensure that contracts comply with internal rules (authority matrix, rules for awarding contracts, etc.) and applicable commercial trade agreements; • Manage the implementation of any required changes to the contract management system and contract development cycle (including contract templates), their continuous improvement and their communication within the company. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR • Member in good standing of the Barreau du Québec for a minimum of seven (7) years; • Have relevant experience with commercial contracts; • Strong sense of professional ethics in order to respect and properly implement internal governance rules; • Excellent organizational and planning skills to set priorities and meet tight deadlines; • Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with members of various departments in a courteous way and with tact, and to have internal client satisfaction at heart; • Skills in legal writing, negotiation, and dispute management; • Strong ability to be meticulous and autonomous; • Excellent command of English and French, spoken and written; • Ability to identify solutions to problems and manage stress; • Experience in the use of various databases and technological tools; • Knowledge of the Oracle system is an asset. #VIAPROF At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential. If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential. Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview. Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!

What you’ll do

Requirements

The role requires a member in good standing of the Barreau du Québec with 5 to 10 years of experience in commercial contracts. Candidates must possess strong legal writing, negotiation, and dispute management skills, along with fluency in English and French.