Counsel, Loyalty

Being part of Air Canada is to become part of an iconic Canadian symbol, recently ranked the best Airline in North America. Let your career take flight by joining our diverse and vibrant team at the leading edge 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 provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It 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 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers more travel choices than any other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations worldwide, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, day tours, and car rentals. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

We have an innovative legal team that continues to earn the respect and confidence of our internal colleagues, participating as true business partners to support Air Canada’s and Aeroplan’s strategic objectives. When you join Air Canada and its Legal Department, you’ll become a vital part of a team of driven professionals that fly the flag every day, sharing the best of Canada with the world.  

Responsibilities:

Air Canada is looking for Counsel, Loyalty to join our team of professionals in Toronto. The successful candidate will support General Counsel, Loyalty on a variety of matters. As a member of the Loyalty team, the successful candidate will:

• Work on a variety of commercial transactions and initiatives supporting all aspects of the loyalty business and operations.
• Be responsible for providing advice on contractual matters, program terms and other legal issues and drafting, reviewing and commenting on complex commercial agreements and other documentation.
• Play an important role in negotiating and supporting “clients” in all phases of a project, from conception through the letter of intent, document execution, terms and conditions, through to launch.
• Assist in maintaining and enhancing the organization's governance framework, policies, and procedures.
• Support compliance with applicable corporate legislation review and control.
• Conduct research and benchmarking activities.

Qualifications

• Law Degree
• Membership in the Bar of a Canadian Province is essential and common and civil law training is an asset.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a leading law firm or an established in-house legal department.
• Strong commercial law background and experience in the drafting and negotiation of a variety of complex commercial agreements, particularly with respect to at least one of the following areas (which would be an asset): marketing, payments and privacy.
• Solid academic credentials and a proven track record must be demonstrated.  
• Strong knowledge of consumer and marketing law.
• A passion for learning and gaining a deep understanding of the business to more effectively support strategies and objectives.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, possess good business judgment and ability to be strategic, pragmatic and thorough with a solid ability to assess legal and business risk.  
• Strong drafting, negotiating and analytical skills, be a leader, self-motivated, task and detail oriented and someone who thrives on challenges and having responsibility and who enjoys working in a dynamic and constantly evolving environment alongside a very cohesive team of professionals.
• Understanding of governance principles and procedures.

The successful candidate should have a track record demonstrating the following qualities or characteristics:

• Strong attention to detail and a rigorous approach to legal work.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize.
• Strong time management skills, including the ability to work independently and to work on several projects simultaneously. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others, at all levels of the organization and whether internal or external counsel.
• Drive for results and urgency and motivation towards achievement of goals.
• Ability to understand, anticipate and meet “client” needs, effectively communicating and always remaining cognizant of related risks.
• Strong desire to participate as part of a team, with an ability to contribute to a shared sense of direction.
• Strategic, creative and analytical ability to consider refine and merge different approaches to achieve workable solutions through strong skills and resourcefulness.  
• Inclination to take initiative and be proactive and resourceful.
• Be supportive of innovation, and adaptable in a context of rapid change and desire and ability to grasp opportunities to learn and build knowledge.
• Thoroughness, tenacity and resilience to persevere towards goals, despite challenges and obstacles, maintaining enthusiasm through to the attainment of the goals.
• Demonstrate punctuality and dependability to support overall team success in a fast-paced environment.

The successful candidate will be someone who is willing to go beyond a defined role who looks at the broad context to decide what action is called for to achieve the desired result. The successful candidate will consider the financial, operational or strategic impact of all actions and decisions and ensure that these factors are appropriately considered.

The ability to convey messages and thoughts clearly, concisely, persuasively and in a focused manner; to listen and question appropriately to gain full understanding; to tailor the message appropriately to the listeners; and to share information, ideas and feedback in a timely manner are essential.  Integrity (including a strong work ethic, high personal standards, discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information, dedication to follow through on commitments, and openness and honesty in communications as well as a respectful demeanor) is assumed.  The successful candidate will be one who takes pride in the role as a representative of Canada’s flag carrier.

Conditions of Employment:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country of interest at the time any offer of employment is made and are responsible for obtaining any required work permits, visas, or other authorizations necessary for employment. Prior to their start date, candidates will also need to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the country of interest.

Linguistic Requirements

Based on equal qualifications, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Diversity and Inclusion

Air Canada is strongly committed to Diversity and Inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible and rewarding work environment which highlights employees’ unique contributions to our company’s success.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all to help us build a diverse workforce which reflects the diversity of our customers, and communities, in which we live and serve.

Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest; however only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted.