Who We Are

With great respect, we acknowledge that the College of Pharmacists of BC (CPBC) is located on the unceded territories of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking peoples - xməθkəy̓əm (Musqueam Nation), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-ulh Sníchim speaking peoples - Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day. As a health regulator, our responsibility is to protect the health and safety of individuals accessing pharmacy care by licensing and regulating pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and the pharmacies where they practice in order to ensure they deliver qualified, safe, and ethical care.

About the Role

Based in Vancouver, CPBC is seeking to hire a well-rounded practising lawyer to take on the permanent, full-time position of Senior Legal Counsel. Reporting to the General Counsel, the successful candidate will have at least seven years of recent experience in administrative, regulatory, criminal, human rights, FOI/privacy and/or not-for-profit legal settings, including experience in related duties such as providing advice and support for public sector procurement and contract negotiation, enterprise risk management, and/or information governance. This role provides legal advice and/or representation on a wide range of matters for CPBC and its Board, Executive Team, and various departments and committees. The Senior Legal Counsel also plays a key supporting role in shaping legal strategy, managing high-level legal issues and offering expert legal guidance to support CPBC's regulatory and business objectives and its commitments to Indigenous cultural safety, cultural humility and anti-racism.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise and support the General Counsel in developing and implementing CPBC's enterprise-wide strategy for managing use of external legal advisors; and in developing, recommending, and implementing an enterprise-wide Information Governance Framework.
• Advise and support the Registration & Licensure and Conduct, Inquiry & Remediation teams with respect to a variety of matters including applications and complaint investigations; the imposition of limits and conditions on registration/licensure, matters before various committees, Health Professions Review Board, BC Human Rights Tribunal, or the Office of the Ombudsperson; development and revision of departmental policies and procedures.
• Advise and support the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) transition initiative including collaborating in development of a legal risk register; researching, reviewing, drafting and recommending bylaws to support and implement the HPOA transition; assisting in identifying and developing policies and procedures to implement the HPOA and the HPOA bylaws; advising on legal aspects of transition planning for new and continued regulatory activity under the HPOA.
• Advise and support the Policy & Legislation team in reviewing, researching, identifying, and assessing changes to regulations, bylaws, standards, policies and/or procedures, presenting recommendations to the Executive Team and the Board, and analysing and evaluating impacts after changes are implemented.
• Advise and support the Information & Privacy Management team in developing and maintaining CPBC's privacy management program and responding to information access requests and privacy breaches and representing CPBC in OIPC inquiries.
• Advise and support the Operations team in procurement and contracting activities by advising on legal requirements and managing contract templates, drafting non-standard contracts, and providing legal oversight of contracts.
• Generally, advise and assist in legal proceedings involving CPBC by acting as the legal representative and legal advisor, manage legal claims against CPBC in any court or tribunal, provide legal guidance to departments on litigation and dispute resolution and prevention strategies, provide advice and guidance in managing interactions with external oversight bodies, and retain and instruct external legal advisors, as directed.
• Review and revise CPBC and Board governance and corporate policies and committee policies and procedures in consultation with the General Counsel and department/team leads.
• Review and draft agreements, contracts, and RFPs, and provide advice in relation to the agreements pertaining to all CPBC operations and business activities.
• Perform risk assessments, monitor legislative changes, and ensure that information sharing agreements and contracts are properly drafted.
• Liaise and collaborate with government and other regulatory bodies on issues of legislation and professional regulation, as directed.
• Ensure that all decisions and activities uphold the standards, objectives and recommendations laid out in the BC Government Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan, the In Plain Sight Report, and CPBC's Strategic Plan.

Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge

• Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree.
• Member of the Law Society of British Columbia, in good standing and holding a practising certificate.
• Minimum of seven years recent experience as a practising lawyer in administrative, regulatory, criminal, human rights, FOI/privacy and/or not-for-profit legal settings, with some experience in related duties such as providing advice and support for public sector procurement and contract negotiation, enterprise risk management, and/or information governance.
• Anti-racism and/or diversity, equity and inclusion training or equivalent self-directed training is an asset.
• Indigenous Cultural Safety training or equivalent self-directed training is an asset.
• Experience working in government or a professional regulatory organization.
• Experience in development of public policy and legislation including legislative drafting.
• Experience advising volunteer or elected boards is an asset.
• Experience representing public bodies before courts or administrative tribunals.
• Experience prosecuting professional disciplinary hearings or criminal trials.
• Broad knowledge of Canadian administrative law jurisprudence and professional regulatory processes.
• Broad knowledge of the health care system, especially the roles and responsibilities of the provincial and federal governments and their respective legislative processes.
• Working knowledge of provincial and federal legislation relevant to pharmacy practice and regulation.
• Capacity to demonstrate adaptability and flexibility in an evolving work environment.
• Ability to use initiative, problem-solve, and take appropriate action when unforeseen circumstances arise.
• Exceptional written communication skills.
• Exceptional research, critical thinking and analytical skills and demonstrated proficiency in summarizing complex information and recommending solutions.
• Effective verbal communication skills, including demonstrated proficiency in delivering presentations and ability to use audience appropriate communication and language to present information and convey concepts that are confidential, complex, and sensitive in nature.
• Demonstrated knowledge of how to apply appropriate techniques to facilitate effective change management.
• Intermediate computer skills and proficient in Microsoft 365 products and Microsoft Teams.
• Strong partner engagement abilities with a commitment to building an effective and dynamic organizational culture.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships.
• High level of emotional intelligence with an ability to be understanding and manage own emotions.
• Ability to maintain objectivity and fairness.
• Ability to be approachable and actively listen.
• Ability to maintain tact when dealing with diverse groups of people with different personalities.
• High level of integrity, diplomacy and discretion when working with confidential/sensitive information.
• Strong detail orientation and drive for accuracy.
• Ability to use a common-sense approach and demonstrate sound judgement.
• Ability to deliver results under pressure.
• Commitment to continual learning and a drive for intellectual curiosity to innovate and improve.

What We Offer

The salary range for this position is $145,000 to $160,000 annually based on a 35-hour work week.

The starting salary will be determined based on factors such as the successful candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, experience; salaries of other employees in the same salary range; market conditions and other relevant factors.

CPBC provides a competitive compensation; an attractive paid-time off package that gives annual vacation, personal days, and additional days off during the year-end office closure; and extended benefits that include a defined benefit plan with the Municipal Pension Plan. We have a flexible work environment that includes a hybrid work model with an assigned schedule. We offer opportunities for personal and professional growth; provide flexibility; strive for work-life balance; and provide an excellent and dynamic work environment where innovation, teamwork and creativity are highly valued.

How to Apply

CPBC supports and offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities to take part in the selection process. Please let us know if an accommodation is required when you are contacted about an interview and/or assessment. All information in relation to accommodation is kept confidential.

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