Hybrid Legal and Privacy Counsel

at Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

• Job title: Legal and Privacy Counsel
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Mid level, Senior
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: Professional Certificate
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Toronto, Canada

About the role

• Legal and Privacy Counsel providing legal and privacy advice at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. Assisting in matters related to legal risk and maintaining compliance with privacy legislation.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal and privacy advice on matters across the Institute
• Negotiate and draft a wide variety of legal agreements including confidentiality agreements, material transfer, data sharing, collaboration agreements, third party service agreements, intellectual property transfer, etc.
• Work alongside OICR’s internal business units, advising and training on legal and business risk and liabilities associated with contracts and other initiatives with a view to mitigating potential risks and to advance institutional business objectives
• Serve as the legal lead on all matters related to Institute initiatives including OICR’s Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network (OHCRN)
• Provide exceptional contractual advice throughout the lifecycle of the project by meeting of exceeding contract turnaround targets and developing strong relationships with key stakeholders through effective communication and providing timely and accurate advice
• Develop a strong understanding of the business of OICR in order to function as a business partner that can advance organizational strategy and achieve goals
• Anticipate and research legal and regulatory issues that may impact OICR and assist in the development of practical strategies to address these issues
• Prepare legal memoranda, presentations, reports and other key documents, and remain current on legislative developments and emerging legal issues
• Provide timely and accurate preparation and drafting of legal correspondence, contract summaries and related documents required for compliance and OICR decision-making
• Develop and support drafting and supporting of institutional policies, procedures and guidelines including those related to genomic information and artificial intelligence
• In consultation with the Privacy Officer, provide legal advice on privacy-related matters
• Ensure OICR’s organizational compliance with relevant privacy legislation, including the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 as well as compliance with organizational policies and procedures
• Identify and implement privacy best practices in furtherance of OICR’s privacy program
• Responsible for the continuous development and sustainment of a comprehensive and legally compliant privacy program across the Institute
• Responsible for developing and promoting privacy practices and standards and for drafting policies and procedures promoting privacy, transparency and accountability
• Responsible for conducting privacy audits of OICR program and conducting privacy impact assessments, with a view to making recommendations for and supporting remediation of identified privacy issues
• Lead privacy training and orientation to OICR employees for OICR employees where required
• Lead and/or provide support for privacy breach response as needed

Requirements

• A law degree and licensing by the Law Society of Upper Canada with related experience, or recognized equivalent
• Advanced practical and related experience drafting, interpreting and negotiating agreements including confidentiality agreements, material transfer, data sharing, collaboration agreements, third party services agreements, etc.
• Capacity to draft high quality legal documents with attention to detail and the ability to understand the big picture
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters with discretion and tact
• Superior analytical and interpersonal communication skills (both written and verbal) including the ability to effectively communicate complex requirements to a variety of stakeholders and ensure that risks are appropriately mitigated or assumed
• Strong foundation in corporate/commercial, privacy, health, intellectual property, and not-for-profit and/or charity law
• Ability to manage and prioritize many projects simultaneously and work in a fast-paced team environment, as well as independently (follow instructions with minimal supervision and take initiative)
• Familiarity with and/or experience in contracts in an academic research or healthcare setting
• Experience resolving complex, multi-faceted problems
• Ability to apply strategic thinking with the ability to balance legal risk with practical, business-oriented solutions
• Collaborative and relationship-focused approach, able to work effectively across all levels of the organization

Benefits

• Competitive benefits plan
• Defined benefit pension plan (HOOPP)