Director Legal Services - Retail and Marketing

Please Note:

• You will be working on a flexible hybrid schedule as part of Fidelity’s dynamic working arrangement.
• Current work authorization for Canada is required for all openings.
• The work location for this role is 483 Bay Street in Toronto until approximately late 2026, when the work location will change to the new Mississauga office at 3 Robert Speck Parkway.​

Who We Are

At Fidelity, we’ve been helping Canadian investors build better financial futures for over 35 years.  We offer individuals and institutions a range of trusted investment portfolios and services - and we’re constantly seeking to find new and better ways to help our clients.  As a privately owned company, we boldly embrace innovation in all areas as we continue to grow our business into the future. 

Working with us means you’ll be part of a diverse and dedicated group of people who make a real difference for our clients and communities every day. You’ll have a wide range of opportunities to grow and develop your career in an inclusive environment where you’ll feel valued and supported to be your best - both personally and professionally.

What We Do

Reporting to the VP, Legal and Procurement, the Director, Legal Services - Retail and Marketing is responsible for providing thoughtful, competent and accurate legal advice to Fidelity Investments Canada ULC. In this role, the Director, Legal Services - Retail and Marketing is responsible for supporting the retail and marketing business lines and leading team members in: (1) identifying, analyzing and resolving legal and regulatory issues impacting the business; and (2) drafting and supporting the production of regulatory and other legal documentation. The Director, Legal Services - Retail and Marketing works closely with internal partners and manages relationships with external advisors. The Director, Legal Services - Retail and Marketing will also represent Legal on various Fidelity and industry committees, where appropriate.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Retail Support

• Act as the main point of contact for key constituents across the firm with respect to matters involving Product Development/Management/Operations, Marketing, Fund Treasury Office (FTO), Finance, Compliance, etc.
• Oversee and resolve matters within the parameters set out in Canadian securities legislation and applicable regulatory relief.
• Ensure that FIC's robust line-up of investment funds remain in continuous distribution.
• Oversee filing processes and ensuring that legal deliverables are met.
• Oversee and resolve novel and complicated legal issues relating to product offerings that may require regulatory relief, and act as the key point of contact in liaising with the senior executive team and our principal regulator, as appropriate.
• Provide oversight on the MRFP review process, including the training of other lawyers and ensuring that material changes are properly disclosed.
• Oversee the process for reviewing all material change issues with respect to product offerings.
• Oversee/train lawyers and other staff in both Canada and at FIL in India in drafting and renewing prospectuses, annual information forms, fund facts and amendments to those documents.
• Consider and resolve issues related to new launches, renewals and fund facts.
• Oversee and/or conduct drafting/maintaining of material contracts.
• Support business efforts to find efficiency, increase effectiveness and expand digitalization.
• Oversee and/or lead document review committee meetings for the retail funds.

• Work with and oversee relevant internal constituents to bring forward and resolve applicable conflicts of interest matters.

• Assess and log conflict matters in FIC's conflicts of interest log.

General Legal Support and Legal Operations Support

• Review/coordinate corporate action (CA) process, including training of other lawyers and staff to ensure CA process is followed.
• Support and oversee operations and investment compliance on various matters, including sales communications, reporting requirements, operational issues, NI 81-102 interpretation questions/issues, etc.
• Engaged with and/or oversee legal responses to investor relations and estate matters.
• Oversee and review the portfolio manager assignment process, including making sure that appropriate internal reviews and board approvals, if required, are obtained.
• Guide other lawyers and/or provide support to FTO on matters, including service provider oversight, tax, financial reporting, fund accounting, etc.
• Provide oversight for FIC's contest process with respect to legal matters of running product agnostic campaigns (i.e., TFSA, RESP, etc.).
• Oversee and respond to OSC, CSA and other applicable SRO policy developments, request for comments, etc.
• Provide ongoing support to the sales team, dealer relations and others across FIC by presenting the regulatory landscape and educating others on the regulatory landscape.

• Act as senior legal advisor to FIC's executive committees, including Retail Product Review, Business Acceptance and Marketing Review Committees.

• Support the management of relationships with outside legal service providers and auditors.

• Assist, as needed, with the review of commercial agreements and privacy related matters.

Marketing Review

• Independently lead and provide guidance to key business partners for novel/unique/complex marketing strategies and initiatives.

• Conduct regular ongoing reviews of sales communications, including social media to ensure compliance with regulatory obligations, industry best-practice and Fidelity's risk tolerance including:

• • Fidelity TV advertisements, YouTube, etc.
  • New fund launch and product specific marketing materials.
  • New digital marketing ideas and strategies.
  • Contests, press releases, Reddits, and selected webcasts.
  • Terms and conditions of ad copies for corporate events, contests.
  • Social media influencer postings.
  • New and complex mutual fund materials (decks, OFT, Videos and Ads, One Pagers/Fund Pulse).
  • Novel and unique marketing materials for existing funds, including through social media.

Leadership, Performance Management and Development

• Together with the VP, Legal and Procurement, focus on the future of the Legal department to ensure staff are engaged, risks are identified and proactively managed and legal advice is thoughtful, competent and proactive.

What We’re Looking For

• 7+ years of relevant experience as legal counsel in the financial services industry either at a law firm or in an in-house counsel setting.

• University degree or equivalent experience

• LLB or JD and Member of the Law Society of Ontario

• Canadian Securities Course (CSC) or the Investment Funds in Canada course offered by the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) would be an asset

• Comprehensive and in depth understanding of applicable law.

• Strong problem solving ability.

• Strong leadership, organizational and critical thinking skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong presentation skills.

• Self-motivated, takes initiative and has the ability to effectively organize, multi-task and prioritize a wide array of initiatives.

• undefined

This posting represents an existing vacancy within our organization—an opportunity to step into a role where your talents will make a meaningful difference.

We use AI-enabled LinkedIn Hiring Assistant to support parts of our sourcing process. Every hiring decision is reviewed and finalized by our recruiters. If you choose to ask questions to the LinkedIn HR Hiring Assistant, please be mindful that the responses are not official and must be confirmed for accuracy and completeness by Fidelity.  If you are selected for an interview, the recruiter who contacts you can best answer your questions.

Fidelity Canada is an equal opportunity employer

Fidelity Canada is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, family status, protected veterans’ status, Aboriginal/Native American status or any other legally-protected ground.

Accommodation during the application process

Fidelity Canada welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in the selection process. If you require an accommodation, please email us at FidelityCanadaStaffing@fidelity.ca.

No telephone inquiries or agencies please. We thank all applicants for their interest, please be advised that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Why Work at Fidelity?

We are proud to be recipients of the following:

Awards

•    Canada's Top 100 Employers 
o    Greater Toronto's Top Employers 
o    Canada's Top Family-Friendly Employers 
o    Canada's Top Employers for Young People 
  
•    Great Place To Work® Certified 
o    Best Workplaces for Inclusion 
o    Best Workplaces for Mental Wellness 
o    Best Workplaces for Today's Youth 
o    Best Workplaces for Women 
o    Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance 
o    Best Workplaces in Ontario 
o    Best Workplaces with Most Trusted Executive Teams 

•    LinkedIn Top Companies in Canada
  
•    Human Resource Director (HRD) - Best Place To Work 
o    HRD - 5-Star Benefit Program 
o    HRD - 5-Star Diversity & Inclusion Employer 

Designations
•    Canadian Compassionate Companies – Certified 
•    Benefits Canada's Workplace Benefits Award - Future of Work Strategy 
•    TalentEgg National Recruitment Excellence Award - Special Award for Diversity & Inclusion in Recruiting 
•    Canadian HR Reporter's Most Innovative HR Team