AVP & Sr Counsel, Third Party Supplier Contracts

Permanent Full Time

We are seeking an experienced Contract Lawyer with deep expertise in third‑party supplier contracting to join our team on a contract basis. This role combines hands‑on legal work with operational and people leadership. The successful candidate will provide expert legal advice on complex supplier agreements, lead a team of legal professionals, partner strategically with our Procurement and Technology teams, and oversee key contracting processes to drive efficiency, consistency, and quality.

This position may be based in Winnipeg (preferred), Toronto, or London, Ontario.

Key Responsibilities

1. Legal Advice & Contract Support

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of third‑party supplier contracts, including technology, SaaS, professional services, outsourcing, data-sharing, and hardware/software procurement agreements.
• Provide practical, risk‑based legal advice to business partners while ensuring compliance with internal policies and applicable legislation.
• Identify and resolve contractual risks related to data security, privacy, IP ownership, service levels, commercial terms, and termination rights.
• Support contract lifecycle management and ensure alignment with enterprise risk appetite and standards.

2. Team Leadership & Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of lawyers and/or contract specialists supporting supplier contracting.
• Allocate work, manage performance, and foster a collaborative, high‑performing team culture.
• Provide guidance and escalate issues proactively to senior leadership.
• Promote knowledge‑sharing, continuous learning, and consistency in legal positions across the team.

3. Strategic Partnership with Procurement & Technology

• Collaborate closely with Procurement, Technology, and other business partners to align legal support with strategic objectives.
• Contribute legal and commercial insights to supplier strategy, vendor selection, and contract negotiation frameworks.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives aimed at improving supplier engagement, contracting speed, and risk mitigation.
• Support enterprise strategy on technology modernization, third‑party risk management, and digital transformation.

4. Process Ownership & Continuous Improvement

• Lead the development, implementation, and optimization of contracting processes, templates, playbooks, and workflows.
• Champion efficiency initiatives, automation opportunities, and best practices focused on improving consistency and reducing cycle times.
• Monitor process performance and implement enhancements aligned with organizational goals.
• Ensure documentation, governance, and quality controls are maintained across the contracting lifecycle.

Qualifications & Experience

• LL.B or J.D. from an accredited law school; member in good standing with a Canadian law society.
• 6–10+ years of legal experience, preferably with a focus on supplier contracts, technology transactions, procurement, or commercial contracting.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience (formal or informal).
• Strong understanding of technology procurement, data privacy, IP principles, and third‑party risk frameworks.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to work independently while thriving in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Competencies

• Strategic thinking with the ability to balance legal risk and business needs.
• Strong organizational and process‑management capabilities.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Grow with Great-West Lifeco 

Great-West Lifeco Inc is a Canadian headquarter, international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management, and reinsurance businesses. We operate in Canada, the United States, and Europe under the brands: Canada Life, Empower and Irish Life. At the end of 2024, our companies had over 32,250 employees, 106,000 advisor relationships, and thousands of distribution partners – serving approximately 40 million customer relationships.

Great-West Lifeco trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol GWO and is a member of the Power Corporation group of companies.

What we offer:  

We’re committed to supporting our employees through every stage of their career. Here’s what you can expect as a full-time or part-time permanent team member: 

Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs and up to $2,000 annually towards education reimbursement. 

Health & Wellness: Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well-being. 

Time Off: In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.  

Financial Security: Company-matching pension plan, share ownership program and additional investment options. 

Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!  

Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.  

Learn more about Great-West Lifeco.  

We’re committed to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to employment. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact  talentacquisitioncanada@canadalife.com. All information provided will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and Great-West Lifeco policies.  

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