Department: Global Surety LegalLocation: The role can be based in Toronto, ON or Calgary, AB or Vancouver, BCReports To: Assistant General Counsel, Global Surety LegalCompany OverviewLiberty Mutual Canada ("LM Canada") is the Canadian operation of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. We offer a broad suite of commercial insurance products and solutions to mid-size and large Canadian companies with Canadian, North American and/or multinational risks. Liberty Mutual Canada has over 300 employees and services its clients coast-to-coast from our regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax.At LM Canada, diversity is about all of us. Our promise to you is a culture that is collaborative, rewarding, and empowering. We are committed to attracting and retaining employees across all dimensions of diversity and believe that recognizing, appreciating, and applying the unique insights, perspectives and backgrounds of each person cultivate an atmosphere of trust and respect. At LM Canada, our values are to foster a high-performing, equitable and inclusive culture where the best talent of all backgrounds can bring their whole selves to work and succeed.Benefits and ProgramsA premier flexible work environment (a combination of in office & remote work) supporting our employees in their pursuit of a healthy work-life balance.Competitive health & dental benefits planMarket-leading pension planCompetitive time off policyExternal education & tuition reimbursement programsEmployee & Family Assistance ProgramsAn opportunity to get involved and become a member of one of our national employee committees - social responsibility, employee engagement, diversity, equity & inclusionThe OpportunityLiberty Mutual Canada is seeking a Canadian Senior Counsel - Global Surety, will lead legal strategy and oversight for its Canadian Surety business. This is a newly created and critical, enterprise-facing leadership role established to support the continued growth, complexity, and strategic importance of the Canadian Surety portfolio.As the senior-most Surety legal leader in Canada, this role owns the end-to-end legal framework supporting the business, influencing underwriting strategy, risk appetite, and governance standards across contract and commercial surety. You will operate with enterprise-level accountability for legal risk, acting as the final decision authority on complex, high-exposure matters within delegated authority, while partnering closely with Global Surety Legal to ensure alignment with international practices.This role sits at the intersection of Legal, Underwriting, and Executive Leadership, shaping business outcomes through proactive legal strategy, risk leadership,



and advisory on large-scale, complex transactions.Reporting locally to the SVP, Chief Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer (Canada), with a functional reporting line to Global Surety Legal (U.S.), you will play a key role in bridging Canadian market strategy with global governance and legal frameworks.Duties & ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & Enterprise ImpactDefine and lead the legal strategy for the Canadian Surety business, ensuring alignment with enterprise objectives and global legal frameworksServe as a core member of the Surety leadership team, contributing to business planning, portfolio strategy, and long-term growth initiativesInfluence underwriting appetite, deal structuring, and market positioning through legal insight and risk guidanceDecision Authority & Risk OwnershipAct as the ultimate legal escalation point in Canada for complex, non-standard, and high-value transactions, including those involving significant financial, reputational, or regulatory riskExercise independent signing and decision authority within delegated limits, guiding outcomes on bespoke and high-exposure dealsEstablish and enforce legal risk tolerances and governance standards across the Canadian portfolioAdvanced Legal AdvisoryProvide expert advice on contract and commercial surety, construction law, financial structures, indemnities, and bond formsLead legal structuring and negotiation strategy for enterprise-significant transactions, including major infrastructure and cross-border dealsAdvise senior stakeholders on legal, regulatory, and contractual implications of complex business decisionsPortfolio Oversight & Risk ManagementOversee legal risk across the full Canadian Surety portfolio, including publicly traded clients, large contractors, and financial institutionsAnticipate emerging legal and regulatory risks and proactively shape mitigation strategies at a portfolio levelTranslate developments in law, regulation, and market conditions into actionable business strategiesLeadership & InfluenceProvide functional leadership to legal and business stakeholders, influencing without direct authority across underwriting, claims, and operationsAct as a mentor and thought leader, elevating legal capability and commercial acumen across the organizationRepresent Canada in global Surety Legal forums,



contributing to enterprise-wide initiatives, policy development, and best practicesOperational Excellence & TransformationLead development of legal frameworks, playbooks, and standardized approaches to support scalability and consistencyDrive modernization of legal services delivery, including the adoption of AI/GenAI tools and data-driven legal insightsSponsor and lead cross-functional transformation initiatives, improving efficiency, governance, and business enablementGovernance & ComplianceEnsure adherence to all regulatory requirements, internal policies, and global legal standardsOwn legal governance for the Canadian Surety function, including escalation protocols and cross-border alignmentSkills & QualificationLaw degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and membership in good standing with a Provincial law society - preference for Law Society of Ontario8-12+ years of legal experience, ideally trained at a leading law firm, with progression to senior associate or equivalent levelDeep expertise in commercial and contract surety, construction law, and complex financial arrangementsRecognized leader and subject matter expert in Surety and/or Construction Law, with credibility to advise executive stakeholders and influence enterprise decisionsDemonstrated experience providing advisory on high-value, complex transactions involving publicly traded companies, major infrastructure projects, and sophisticated financial counterpartiesStrong commercial acumen with the ability to balance legal risk with business strategy and growth objectivesProven ability to operate at the executive level, influencing senior leadership and cross-border stakeholdersExcellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable business guidanceExperience operating with significant autonomy, including ownership of legal outcomes in ambiguous, high- stakes environmentsGenuine and demonstrable interest in legal innovation, including technology and AI-enabled service deliveryWe do not use AI‐based screening tools in our hiring process. Candidates who complete an interview and remain under consideration may request, and will receive, feedback within 45 days.Liberty Mutual Canada is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment where all employees feel valued and supported. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the communities we operate in and serve. If you require accommodation for the recruitment/interview process due to a disability (which may be invisible or visible, temporary or permanent), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs. #J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Canadian Senior Counsel, Global Surety (Toronto)
🏢 Liberty Mutual Canada
📍 Toronto