Description of position
Costco Wholesale Canada seeks an experienced employment lawyer to join the legal team at its Canadian headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. Costco is one of Canada’s top retailers, with 107 locations in 9 Canadian provinces and over 45,000 employees. The lawyer will be responsible for providing day-to-day advice and support to Costco’s Canadian Operations and Human Resources Department on employee terminations, performance management, investigations, leaves of absence, accommodations, wage/hour compliance, and other employment-related matters consistent with Costco’s employee handbook (Employee Agreement), policies, and unique culture. The lawyer will also supervise outside counsel on employment related issues and litigation matters, before various provincial courts and human rights tribunals. This position will report directly to and will require close collaboration with the VP & Corporate Counsel responsible for the Canadian Legal Department.
Daily tasks and responsibilities
- Provides support to Costco’s Canadian Operations and HR Department on employment matters and compliance with Costco’s Employee Agreement and other employment-related policies.
- Supervises internal investigations related to employment matters.
- Assists HR in investigating and responding to charges of discrimination filed with courts and regulatory bodies.
- Drives compliance efforts related to the Company’s personnel and payroll policies and procedures.
- Reviews and advises Operations and HR on developments in federal, provincial and local employment legislation, regulation, and enforcement.
- Monitors, manages, and reviews work and expenditures by outside counsel to ensure quality, efficacy and cost- effectiveness of legal services.
Qualifications:
- LLB or JD from an accredited law school.
- Admission in good standing to practice law in at least one Canadian province (preferably Ontario) and eligible to practice as in-house counsel in Ontario.
- At least 10 years of substantive employment law counseling and litigation management experience acquired in a major law firm or an in-house legal department. Some in-house experience preferred.
- Preferably bilingual.
- Based in the Costco Ottawa office.
- Thorough understanding of and experience in all areas of employment law, including leave and accommodation, discrimination, human rights issues and wage and hour/pay equity.
- Excellent business judgment and ability to assess legal risk while providing practical, business-oriented advice.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage a diverse and complex workload while maintaining priorities and anticipating issues.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills for dealing with lawyers and non-lawyers.
- Excellent legal research and analytical skills.
- Ability and desire to work collaboratively and autonomously.
- Strong execution and project management skills and ability to harness stakeholders from across the organization on cross-functional projects.
At Costco, you will build a long-lasting career in a renowned culture where the Company is committed to taking care of its employees, members, and suppliers. You will be empowered to independently drive results and feel good about what you are helping to build.
Costco is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment. We welcome applications from individuals from all groups regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religion or physical ability. Costco will accommodate people with disabilities as part of our hiring process. Please advise us during the hiring process if you have special requirements.
Must be able to work in person in our Ottawa office