Senior Legal Counsel (Contract) - Burnaby, BC

Location: This hybrid role requires 3 days on-site at our Burnaby, BC office and 2 days remote per week.

Duration: This will be a full-time 6-month contract position.

Welcome to Specsavers – where we’re not just about eyewear and eyecare, but about changing lives through better sight. Ranked the 11th Best Workplace™ in Canada and 12th globally by Great Place to Work®, we’re proud of our optometrist-owned model that delivers high-quality, accessible eyecare for every budget.

Founded 40 years ago in the UK by visionary optometrists Doug and Mary Perkins, Specsavers has remained privately owned since day one. Today, we are a $7.8 billion global business with over 45,000 colleagues across more than 2,700 retail optical locations.

In Canada, our support office is based in Burnaby, BC. Since entering the market in 2021, we’ve been scaling rapidly, now with 270 locations nationwide. With advanced clinical equipment and a wide range of affordable, high-quality eyewear, we’re transforming the way Canadians experience eyecare.

If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a values-driven organization, join us as we continue to grow. Together, we can change lives through better sight.

What You’ll Do

The Senior Legal Counsel will play a key role in supporting our growing business in Canada. In this role, you’ll work closely with our Legal Team and collaborate across the organization to provide guidance on all matters with legal implications for Specsavers.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a hands-on, dynamic environment and enjoys being involved in a wide range of work. From commercial contracts and mergers & acquisitions to corporate partnerships, governance, and broader business advice, you’ll have the chance to make a real impact. You’ll report directly to our Head of Legal and be part of a team that’s passionate about doing great work together.

Key Responsibilities

• Support with providing legal advice on a broad range of legal matters relevant to the business, with a particular focus on commercial contracts, franchising and joint venture agreements, mergers & acquisitions, corporate partnerships and governance. Experience providing advice to marketing teams would be an asset.
• Management of day-to-day requests for engagement with third party vendors/suppliers (drafting NDAs, supporting with RFPs, RFls and DPIAs, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts etc)
• Support key commercial projects and business initiatives as directed by the Legal Team, the broader business and/or the Board
• Develop and revise legal documents, templates, policies and procedures used by the Legal Team and/or Specsavers as required
• Involvement in continuous improvement processes and championing good governance and ethics.
• Establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with Specsavers external legal providers, other members of the Legal and Risk Team and key business stakeholders including colleagues in other Specsavers regions
• Support drafting and provision of legal training to the Specsavers business as necessary
• Provide timely administration of legal matters including follow-up where required
• Create open communication with key stakeholders to inform and update, building trust and respect by creating strong relationships that allow for healthy debate and influential discussion.
• Other duties as may be required from time to time.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD)
• Qualified lawyer in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia
• Strong academic credentials and at least 5 years ranging from corporate/commercial legal experience gained in either a top legal firm or in-house environment.
• Excellent legal drafting and research skills bringing together knowledge of the Specsavers business model, attention to detail and awareness of key impacts of local laws and professional regulations.
• Negotiates and drafts contracts with a commercial, result orientated focus
• Personnel management skills with the ability to assist with team management and administration
• Manages transactional work with a practical and pragmatic approach
• Clearly communicates complex legal issues to a non-legal audience
• Manages a high workload requiring effective time management and clear priorities
• Understands the retail environment and international aspects thereof
• Ability to influence key stakeholders and support change

Nice to have:

• Experience with data protection and privacy issues and in providing legal advice to marketing teams is an asset.

Compensation: $140,000 - $170,000 base salary, plus quarterly bonus, profit sharing, and benefits. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience

Speccies’ Benefits

• 4 weeks of vacation and 1 paid volunteer day
• 1 extra paid day off and an eyecare voucher on your birthday
• RRSP matching
• Quarterly performance bonus
• Profit sharing program
• Healthcare spending account
• Health and dental benefits effective on your first day
• Team and company social events

Behaviours We Value

• Collaborative: We work together as one Specsavers to deliver our purpose
• Curious: We question, explore, and seek out diverse perspectives to develop our knowledge and understanding
• Courageous: We challenge the status quo, we experiment with good ideas, and we are brave, bold, and fast in our decision making
• Compassionate: We care, support, and help each other
• Commercial: We treat money wisely and make decisions that are good for our customers, our partners, our people, and good for the long term

We hope that in applying with us, you value these things as well!

Our Hybrid Work Model

Experience the best of both worlds. At Specsavers, we embrace a hybrid approach that balances in-office collaboration with the flexibility to work from home. We come together in office three days a week to connect, innovate, and keep our culture thriving.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Specsavers, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that a diverse team enriches our work environment and enables us to achieve our goals. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all backgrounds and abilities to apply. If you believe you can contribute to our mission and vision, we welcome your application, even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We value the unique skills and perspectives each individual brings to our team.

Accessibility and Accommodations

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations at any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know by contacting us at careers.ca@specsavers.com . We will work with you to meet your needs and ensure a fair and equitable experience.

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