Risk Operations Specialist, General Counsel's Office

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Blakes), one of Canada’s largest and most successful law firms, has an opening for a Risk Operations Specialist to join the General Counsel’s Office in Toronto.

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Risk Operations Specialist provides compliance, project management and operational support to the General Counsel’s Office and related internal stakeholders. This role is responsible for coordinating internal legal and risk management projects led by the General Counsel’s Office.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Client Engagement Terms

• Updating and maintaining the General Counsel's Office's engagement terms tracking system and the Firm's database of model retainer letters
• Reviewing new and amended terms for negotiation and working with the Senior Counsel and Counsel to finalize terms and follow up on outstanding items

Client Questionnaires

• Drafting responses to client diligence questionnaires on the Firm's cybersecurity and regulatory compliance policies, by identifying and escalating key issues to the Senior Counsel and Counsel
• Maintaining a database of standard responses and approved language

Conflicts, Waivers and Client Due Diligence

• Supporting lateral transfer conflicts processes and centralized waiver requests, including communicating with external firms, Firm lawyers and client contacts to provide departing lawyers with required client/matter information
• Providing project and operational support for the Firm's client due diligence and conflicts framework, including testing new artificial intelligence integrations, tools and workflows

Third-Party Risk Management

• Coordinating initial and annual third-party evaluations and maintaining the Third-Party Register under the Firm's Third-Party Risk Management Policy and Manual

Project Management and Operational Support

• Coordinating and tracking risk management, compliance and policy projects for the General Counsel's Office and Information Governance team, including timelines, deliverables and status reports
• Tracking director and officer positions held by Firm lawyers and assisting with related reporting
• Coordinating the implementation and documentation of Firmwide policies, procedures and compliance training, and working with Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources and Marketing departments, as well as practice groups, as needed

Administrative and General Support

• Drafting internal communications from the General Counsel's Office and supporting audits, insurance renewals and regulatory submissions
• Providing vacation coverage for the Administrative Assistant, General Counsel's Office

Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in business administration, legal studies or a related field
• Minimum three to five years of related experience, preferably in a legal or professional services environment
• Project management certification (e.g., Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or equivalent) is considered an asset

Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent organization and time management skills, with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent ability to manage multiple competing tasks and priorities while maintaining strong customer service
• Demonstrated collaboration and teamwork
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining confidentiality and professional management of sensitive materials and information
• Experience interacting with professionals and executives and ensuring the high level of service required for these stakeholders
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including in Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Compensation

The anticipated annual salary for the Risk Operations Specialist, General Counsel’s Office is $70,000 – $85,000. Salary levels will be determined commensurate with internal and market equity and experience.

How to Apply

Please submit your application, including your cover letter and résumé, directly to our application portal.

Blakes wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Other Relevant Application Information

Blakes welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. The Firm is committed to maintaining an inclusive work environment composed of people with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, identities and cultures. The Firm provides accommodation for applicants with disabilities and in respect of other protected grounds during the recruitment process in accordance with applicable laws. Please contact us to request accommodation.

While our experienced team will select and interview successful candidates, Blakes may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist with shortlisting, screening and evaluating applications.

Who We Are

At Blakes, we care about our people. We are committed to providing exceptional experiences for our clients and employees. As a winner of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Greater Toronto’s Top Employers awards, we understand the importance of fostering an inclusive workplace environment that brings out the best in each person. Our success as a firm starts with hiring top talent, retaining our people and helping them thrive.