Employment Law Counsel Jobs

We are a leading financial services provider committed to making decisions easier and lives better for our customers and colleagues around the world. From our environmental initiatives to our community investments, we lead with values throughout our business. To help us stand out, we help you step up, because when colleagues are healthy, respected and meaningfully challenged, we all thrive. Discover how you can grow your career, make impact and drive real change with our Winning Team today.

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Manulife is currently seeking a multifaceted individual to join our Employment and Immigration Law Team in the role of Employment Counsel. As Employment Counsel, you will be responsible for providing expert and strategic advice in respect to employment law matters. An ability to develop practical solutions, provide clear and timely advice, successfully collaborate, and handle competing priorities in a fast-paced environment are essential.

Key Accountabilities

• As the need arises, manage outside counsel retained to assist with litigation matters.
• Provide legal advice and support relating to immigration/mobility processes/issues.
• Provide other legal advice and perform other responsibilities as required.
• Provide clear and concise legal advice to Manulife and its affiliated companies with respect the full range of employment law issues, including hiring, employee relations, terminations, performance management, compliance, complaints and investigations, policies, compensation and benefit plans, corporate transactions, reorganizations, human rights and accommodation issues, leaves of absence, employment laws/standards, immigration and mobility matters, etc.
• Supervise and provide advice regarding relevant legislative, regulatory and industry developments.
• As the need arises, participate in industry conferences, presentations, committees and working groups.
• Be the primary legal point of contact for advanced employee relations matters, providing timely and practical advice.
• Respond to demand letters and negotiate severance and departure agreements.
• Draft, modify and/or provide advice regarding legal and human resource documents, agreements and communications.
• As the need arises, collaborate with internal partners (from compliance, HR and legal, amongst others) in respect to global policies, practices and initiatives.
• Responsibility for intake of employment queries from various functions and/or geographies, then triaging as appropriate.

Education & Experience

• Experience with and knowledge of immigration law relevant in employment context
• Experience with and knowledge of the Canadian employment law and legislative requirements
• Member in good standing with the Canadian Bar
• Minimum 5 -7 years of prior proven experience with major law firm and/or corporation
• Licensed to practice law in Canada

Knowledge & Skills

• Ability to quickly identify legal problems/risk and potential solutions
• Tactful and operates with discretion
• Strong influencing, organizational and collaboration skills
• Ability to deal with high volume, fast paced matters, multiple priorities
• Very strong written and verbal communication skills
• Attention to detail

What can we offer you?

• Flexible work policies and strong work-life balance.
• A competitive salary and benefits packages.
• Professional development and leadership opportunities.
• A growth trajectory that extends upward and outward, encouraging you to follow your passions and learn new skills.
• A focus on growing your career path with us.

Our commitment to you

• Delivering the promise of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion We foster an inclusive environment where everyone thrives.
• Values-first culture We lead with our Values every day and bring them to life together.
• Continuous innovation We invite you to help redefine the future of financial services.
• Championing Corporate Citizenship We build a business that benefits all partners and has a positive social and environmental impact.
• Boundless opportunity We build opportunities to learn and grow at every stage of your career.

This role is based in our #Toronto Manulife offices.

Every career at Manulife/John Hancock provides the opportunity to learn new skills and move your career forward. Ready to make an impact somewhere? What are you waiting for? Apply today.

About John Hancock And Manulife

John Hancock is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States, and Manulife globally, including Canada, Asia and Europe. We provide financial advice, insurance and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were CAD$1.3 trillion (US$1.1 trillion) as of June 30, 2021. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com.

One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports more than 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and education savings plans. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law.

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [email protected].

Salary & Benefits

The annual base salary for this role is listed below.

Primary Location

Toronto, Ontario

Salary range is expected to be between

$111,930.00 CAD - $207,870.00 CAD

If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [email protected] for the salary range for your location. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact [email protected] for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.