Senior Legal Counsel

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OceanaGold seeks a proactive Senior Legal Counsel to support Haile Gold Mine and U.S. operations with corporate, commercial, employment and dispute matters, reporting to the corporate team and working onsite in Vancouver. The ideal candidate has 6+ years post‑qualification experience, a JD or LL.B, and BC or another Canadian bar, with comfort advising U.S. clients and drafting and negotiating complex agreements while coordinating with U.S. counsel. Strong attention to detail, commercial judgment, and the ability to build cross‑functional relationships are essential. To apply, tailor your resume to mining or cross‑border matters, highlight contract leadership and risk mitigation, confirm you have the right to work in Canada, and note that visa sponsorship and agency applications are not offered.

Company Description

OceanaGold is a growing mid-tier gold and copper producer listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). With four operating mines—Haile in the USA, Didipio in the Philippines, and Macraes and Waihi in New Zealand—we are committed to safe, responsible mining that generates strong returns and supports sustainable development.

Our purpose is mining gold for a better future. The gold, copper, and silver we produce power renewable energy, life-saving medical devices, and the technology that connects communities. Beyond this, our operations drive economic growth and improve health and education outcomes in the regions we serve, supporting over 3,700 direct jobs globally.

Guided by our values—Care, Respect, Integrity, Performance, and Teamwork—we strive to be a trusted company people want to work for, partner with, and invest in, creating lasting value for all our stakeholders.

Job Description

We are seeking a proactive and commercially minded Legal Counsel to provide high‑quality, timely legal support to our corporate team and U.S.-based operations. This role plays a key part in managing legal risk, ensuring regulatory compliance, and enabling effective decision‑making across the business.

Working closely with operational leaders at Haile Gold Mine, you will advise on a broad mix of corporate, commercial, employment, procurement, and dispute‑related matters, while also contributing to the development of legal processes that support strong governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary legal advisor for Haile Gold Mine, providing practical guidance on day‑to‑day operational matters.
• Support compliance, governance, risk identification, and regulatory monitoring.
• Review public communications, stakeholder materials, and community‑related agreements.
• Work with U.S. external counsel to obtain specialist jurisdiction‑specific advice. 
• Draft, negotiate, and manage a wide range of procurement and commercial agreements.
• Partner with procurement and operations to ensure contracts balance commercial objectives with effective risk allocation.
• Review amendments, extensions, and variations to existing agreements.
• Advise on employee relations, investigations, grievances, and disciplinary matters.
• Support the People & Culture team on employment contracts, policies, and workplace compliance.
• Coordinate with external counsel on complex U.S. employment issues.
• Assist with strategy, document management, and evidence preparation for disputes and litigation.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders and external counsel.
• Support regulatory inquiries and implement dispute‑mitigation strategies.
• Provide general corporate and commercial legal advice across business functions.
• Identify legal risks and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
• Support the development of legal policies, procedures, and training.
• Assist with due diligence and legal systems implementation.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LL.B. from an accredited law school.
• Admission to the Bar in the Province of British Columbia or another Canadian province.

Experience

• Minimum of 6+ years post‑qualification experience in a reputable law firm and/or in‑house legal team.
• Mining industry experience beneficial but not required.
• Experience advising U.S.‑based clients or supporting U.S. operations is an advantage.

Personal Attributes

• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and high‑quality work outputs.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to balance legal risk against operational and business priorities.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven capability in drafting and negotiating a broad range of legal agreements.
• Proactive and accountable, with a strong sense of ownership and follow‑through.
• Excellent judgment and integrity, with the confidence to provide clear and candid advice.
• Comfortable working independently while collaborating effectively across functions.
• Adaptable and resilient, able to operate in fast‑paced and dynamic environments.

Additional Information

WHAT'S ON OFFER:

• Competitive salary + short-term and long-term bonuses
• Discounts on retail and services
• Office surrounded by restaurants, shops in Downtown Vancouver
• Living Our Values recognition program
• Access to OceanaGold Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Exceptional working environment where people are valued and respected

The annual salary range for this position is $120,000 - $150,000. This range is a guide and final compensation for this position will be determined based on the candidate's unique skills, expertise, individual qualifications, and assessed contributions to the role following the completion of the interview process.

Eligibility to Work: To be considered for this role, you must have valid working rights in the country where the role is located. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

YOU MATTER: OceanaGold is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. We believe a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. Should you require any assistance applying for this opportunity, please contact us at [email protected]

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS FROM AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED