Counsel - Securities (Canada)

Job Description

Overview

Job Family Legal Counsel

About Us

At Transamerica, hard work, innovative thinking, and personal accountability are qualities we honor and reward. We understand the potential of leveraging the talents of a diverse workforce. We embrace an environment where employees enjoy a balance between their careers, families, communities, and personal interests.

Ultimately, we appreciate the uniqueness of a company where talented professionals work collaboratively in a positive environment — one focused on helping people look forward and plan for the best life possible while providing tools and solutions that make it easier to get there.

Who We Are

We believe everyone deserves to live their best life. More than a century ago, we were among the first financial services companies in America to serve everyday people from all walks of life.

Today, we’re part of an international holding company, with millions of customers and thousands of employees worldwide. Our insurance, retirement, and investment solutions help people make the most of what’s important to them.

We’re empowered by a vast agent network covering North America, with diversity to match. Together with our nonprofit research institute and foundation, we tune in, step up, and are a force for good — for our customers and the communities where we live, work, and play. United in our purpose, we help people create the financial freedom to live life on their terms.

What We Do

Transamerica is organized into three distinct businesses. These include 1) World Financial Group, including Transamerica Financial Advisors, 2) Protection Solutions and Savings & Investments, comprised of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits, retirement plans, and Transamerica Investment Solutions, and 3) Financial Assets, which includes legacy blocks of long term care, universal life, and variable and fixed annuities. These are supported by Transamerica Corporate, which includes Finance, People and Places, General Counsel, Risk, Internal Audit, Strategy and Development, and Corporate Affairs, which covers Communications, Brand, and Government and Policy Affairs.

Transamerica employs nearly 7,000 people. It’s part of Aegon, an integrated, diversified, international financial services group serving approximately 23.9 million customers worldwide. For more information, visit transamerica.com.

Job Description Summary

Provide strategic legal counsel to WFG Securities Inc., a Canadian securities dealer, ensuring compliance with Canadian securities laws and regulations. Represent the firm in interactions with regulators and collaborate with internal teams to manage legal risk and develop policies.

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice related to Canadian securities laws and regulations applicable to dealer operations.


• Review, draft, and negotiate contracts, disclosures, and regulatory filings.


• Assist with legal matters relating to securities products, regulatory compliance, and risk management, including policy review, licensing, marketing and claims-related inquiries.


• Support internal supervision and compliance teams in responding to regulatory examinations and audits, including advising internal teams on legal issues related to the examination processes.


• Interact with the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and represent WFGS in dealings with CIRO and provincial and territorial securities regulators, including preparing responses, coordinating filings, and addressing inquiries on behalf of the firm.


• Work closely with internal teams, including business leaders, supervision and compliance teams, finance, and operations to support the legal and regulatory needs of WFGS.


• Monitor legal and regulatory developments across the Canadian provinces and territories, assess their impact on the dealer’s operations, and provide actionable insights to support compliance initiatives, regulatory filings and business initiatives.


• Collaborate with US legal counterparts to ensure alignment on cross-border issues.


• Participate in internal training and policy development initiatives.

Qualifications

• Law degree and a member in good standing of a provincial Bar


• Active license and good standing with the Law Society of Ontario


• Five years of experience in a law firm, in-house, or with a securities regulatory body


• Extensive knowledge of Canadian securities laws, regulations, and policies, including registrant regulation and mutual fund dealer rules


• Experience in working and communicating with regulatory bodies such as CIRO


• Able to effectively communicate, both written and oral, with the intended audience


• Able to exercise sound judgment and manage priorities in a fast-paced environment


• Strong legal research, analysis and drafting skills


• Able to build solid relationships with key stakeholders across the organization


• Able to successfully operate across cultures, complex organizations, and functions

Working Conditions

• Hybrid environment


• May attend conferences and team meetings in the US and Canada

Compensation

The salary for this position generally ranges between $120,000 - $140,000 CAD annually. Please note that the salary range is a good faith estimate for this position and actual starting pay is determined by several factors including qualifications, experience, geography, work location designation (in-office, hybrid, remote) and operational needs. Salary may vary above and below the stated amounts, as permitted by applicable law.

Benefits

Canadian Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits:

• Competitive Paid Time Off


• Ten (10) paid holidays per year


• Ten (10) sick days per year


• Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars


• Parental Leave


• Adoption Assistance


• Employee Assistance Program


• College Coach Program


• Employee Resource Groups


• Inclusion and Diversity Programs


• Employee Recognition Program


• Referral Bonus Programs


• Peer Recognition Program (BRAVO)

United States Only Benefits Below:

This job description is not a contract of employment nor for any specific job responsibilities. Managers may assign other duties and responsibilities as needed. In the event an employee or applicant requests or requires an accommodation to perform job functions, the applicable HR Business Partner should be contacted to evaluate the accommodation request.

What We Offer

For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both the personal and financial well-being of our employees.

Compensation Benefits

• Competitive Pay


• Bonus for Eligible Employees

Benefits Package

• Pension Plan


• 401k Match


• Employee Stock Purchase Plan


• Tuition Reimbursement


• Disability Insurance


• Medical Insurance


• Dental Insurance


• Vision Insurance


• Employee Discounts


• Career Training & Development Opportunities

Health and Work/Life Balance Benefits

• Paid Time Off starting at 160 hours annually for employees in their first year of service.


• Ten (10) paid holidays per year (typically mirroring the NYSE holidays).


• Be Well Company holistic wellness program, which includes Wellness Coaching and Reward Dollars


• Parental Leave – fifteen (15) days of paid parental leave per calendar year to eligible employees with at least one year of service at the time of birth, placement of an adopted child, or placement of a foster care child.


• Adoption Assistance


• Employee Assistance Program


• Back-Up Care Program


• Employee Matching Gifts Program


• Employee Resource Groups


• Inclusion and Diversity Programs


• Employee Recognition Program


• Referral Bonus Programs

Inclusion & Diversity

We believe our commitment to diversity and inclusion creates a work environment filled with exceptional individuals. We’re thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts through the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Dave Thomas Adoption Friendly Advocate, and several Seramount lists, including the Inclusion Index, 100 Best Companies for Working Parents, Best Companies for Dads, and Top 75 Companies for Executive Women.

To foster a culture of inclusivity throughout our workforce, workplace, and marketplace, Transamerica offers a wide range of diversity and inclusion programs. This includes our company-sponsored, employee-driven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are formed around a shared interest or a common characteristic of diversity. ERGs are open to all employees. They provide a supportive environment to help us better appreciate our similarities and differences and understand how they benefit us all.

Giving Back

We believe our responsibilities extend beyond our corporate walls. That’s why we created the Aegon Transamerica Foundation in 1994. Through a mix of financial grants and the volunteer efforts of our employees, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations focused on the things that matter most to our people in the communities where we live and work.

Transamerica’s Parent Company

Aegon acquired the Transamerica business in 1999. Since its start in 1844, Aegon has grown into an international company serving more than 23.9 million people across the globe. It offers investment, protection, and retirement solutions, always with a clear purpose: Helping people live their best lives. As a leading global investor and employer, the company seeks to have a positive impact by addressing critical environmental and societal issues, with a focus on climate change and inclusion and diversity.

* As of December 31, 2023