Senior Legal Counsel, Real Estate

At Alto, we are actively contributing to the transformation of Canada's future with our high-speed train project connecting Quebec City and Toronto. With the support of the Government of Canada, this innovative project aims to improve the quality of life of our citizens, strengthen ties between communities and stimulate economic growth.

Would you like to take on a stimulating, high-impact challenge?  We are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel, Real Estate. This role may be based in one of our four offices: Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, or Ottawa.

The role 

In this role, you will support the Senior Director, Legal Affairs, Development and contribute to Alto’s corporate mission by providing strategic legal guidance and trusted advisory support on complex real estate acquisition and project-related matters.

The responsibilities

• Provide senior legal expertise as part of the team responsible for real estate acquisitions and act as a key legal advisor to internal stakeholders on real estate-related matters. 
• Draft, revise and negotiate various types of documents, including contracts and other agreements with municipalities, utilities and other stakeholders. 
• Assume end-to-end responsibility for the legal aspects of assigned files, coordinating and collaborating with external counsel, including the legal advisors of the private development partner and Justice Canada.
• Proactively advise internal teams regarding project legal risks, regulatory obligations and risk exposure and develop business-aligned mitigation strategies.
• Provie strategic legal advice on complex real estate issues facing the project, exercising sound legal judgment while supporting effective stakeholder engagement. 
• Drive continuous improvement of legal processes related to real estate acquisitions in Ontario, advising internal teams on efficiency, consistency and alignment with overall project timelines.
• Act as a senior subject-matter resource within the Legal Affairs team on real estate matters, contributing to the development of best practices, knowledge sharing and informal mentoring as appropriate.

The requirements

• Law degree and member in good standing of the Ontario Bar.
• Minimum 8 to 10 years professional experience in a similar role with a significant real estate law component.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound legal judgment on complex matters, balancing legal risk with business and project objectives.
• Strong experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex commercial and real estate agreements involving multiple stakeholders.
• Proven ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, rigor and accountability in managing files from end to end.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to act as a trusted legal advisor to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Results‑oriented, resourceful and adaptable, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Able to work in a team-oriented environment and interact effectively with others.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Fluently bilingual in English and French, both spoken and written (*This requirement is necessary because in this position, you will be dealing with stakeholders and/or partners who require recurring oral and written communication in English).

Why join our innovative team?

• Basic paid group insurance for you and your family: medical, dental, life, disability, etc.
• Access to wellness and health accounts to support your lifestyle.
• Flex-Alto account of $500 to encourage a healthier approach and a more sustainable mode of transportation.
• A retirement plan and savings options (RRSP and TFSA).
• Vacations based on experience, available upon hiring.
• An incentive compensation program.
• Flexible hybrid work mode.
• A work environment that encourages initiative, innovation, and forward-thinking solutions.
• A unique opportunity to shape the future of transportation in Canada.

We work to create high-performance, diversified teams

At Alto, we believe in the power of diverse teams. We aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone can develop and flourish. Alto offers equal employment opportunities to all and invites qualified individuals, regardless of their identity, origin or situation, to apply.

Please let us know if you need any adjustments during the recruitment process. We will do our utmost to provide you with a fair and pleasant experience, while keeping any adjustments confidential.

Please note that we will communicate only with those candidates whose applications are selected for further consideration. To find out more about the entire project, visit Alto - Home.