General counsel

Who we are?

The pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) brings together provincial, territorial, and federal governments for the purpose of increasing and managing access to clinically relevant and cost-effective medicines. Through collective negotiations, the pCPA has realized overall savings as of April 1, 2025) for governments of $3.94 billion annually for brand name drugs and $935 million annually for generic drugs totaling $4.87 billion annually.  The pCPA offers a 100% remote (within Canada) work environment. 

About the role

As a member of the executive leadership team, the General counsel provides independent legal and regulatory governance assurance to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Board of Directors (Board).

The role ensures that organizational activities, governance decisions, contractual arrangements and regulatory obligations are legally valid, compliant and defensible under applicable federal, provincial, and territorial laws and regulations across Canada, and where applicable, international legal and regulatory requirements.

The General counsel provides legal interpretation, legal risk assessment, and escalation of material legal and regulatory issues to support informed executive and Board decision-making in a fully virtual, unionized operating environment.

Specific deliverables and authorities

Key responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the organization’s legal affairs function, including governance legal advisory, regulatory interpretation, litigation, labour and employment law and external counsel coordination.
• Act as a General counsel to the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors on complex legal, regulatory and governance matters.
• Provide legal guidance and regulatory interpretation related to the organization’s core business processes, including drug file negotiation frameworks, mechanisms and documentation to support compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Advise on the legal structuring of strategic partnerships and high-risk organizational agreements
• Draft, review and modernize all contracts.
• Interpret and apply federal, provincial, territorial and international legal and regulatory frameworks as they impact organizational activities and strategic decisions.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and assess material implications for organizational strategy, legal obligations and regulatory risk exposure.
• Identify, evaluate and escalate significant legal and regulatory risks to the Chief Executive Officer as appropriate.
• Advise on labour and employment law matters in a unionized environment, including interpretation of collective agreements, workplace investigations, grievance processes, arbitration and human rights compliance.
• Retain and manage external legal counsel for litigation, regulatory investigations, and specialized matters, ensuring privilege, confidentiality, and evidentiary integrity.
• Provide legal guidance, training, and awareness initiatives to leadership and staff to support compliance and informed decision-making.

Accountability

• Accountable to the Chief Executive Officer.
  

Qualifications

Education and experience

• Bachelor of Law degree from a recognized Canadian University.
• Membership in good standing in a law society for a Canadian province or territory.
• 10+ years experience in a senior legal advisor role.
• 10+ years experience in regulated sectors (e.g. healthcare, pharmaceuticals, public sector or not-for-profit environments).
• Experience working in unionized environments.
  

Skills and abilities  

• As English is the primary working language at the pCPA, excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French (asset).
• Expertise in Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial legal and regulatory frameworks, including corporate governance, labour and employment law, contract negotiation, and legal risk management.
• Knowledge of applicable international legal and regulatory requirements relevant to the organization’s operations.
• Proven experience advising Boards, senior executives, and public sector or healthcare leaders on complex legal matters.
• High-level analytical skills for interpreting legislation, assessing compliance obligations and evaluations legal risk.
• Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical ecosystem and jurisdiction-specific policy environments.
• Strong negotiation and drafting skills for complex agreements and settlements.
• Strong attention to detail in reviewing contracts, policies and regulatory documents.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote environment.
• Strong business and digital acumen.

Employment terms   

• The salary range for this permanent, full-time position, is $147,093.93 - $245,156.56. This range reflects the salary for candidates with varying experience levels, job knowledge, and qualifications relevant to the position. Specific offers will be based on individual backgrounds and qualifications. 
• The work hours for this position is 36.25 hours per week.
• The pCPA provides a group benefits package for permanent employees from the first day of employment. 
• The ideal candidate must be legally eligible to work in Canada and can work from any location within Canada.
• This position requires frequent travel in different provinces and territories, including periodic multi-day, overnight trips.
  

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application by the end of Friday, July 3rd, 2026.  

We thank all those who apply; however, only those chosen for further consideration will be contacted.   

The pCPA is an equal-opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019, and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, the pCPA will provide accommodation for applicants with disabilities upon request throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process.