Corporate Counsel/General Counsel (based on experience)

Corporate Counsel/General Counsel (based on experience) 

Calgary, AB

Canada

About Us

Summit Nanotech is a fast-growing, venture-backed global scale-up, disrupting how the world accesses lithium for the global energy transition. Through our proprietary and sustainable Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, Summit Nanotech is conserving natural resources and optimizing operations for lithium producers in Chile and Argentina. 

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Summit Nanotech has been recognized as one of Canada's most investable cleantech ventures by the 2022 Foresight 50, included in the Future 50 list of Canada's fastest-growing sustainability companies, a recipient of the 2021 MaRS Women in Cleantech Challenge, and the Solar Impulse Foundation's Efficient Solutions Label. 

To learn more about us, visit our website or LinkedIn.

The Role 

We are seeking a talented lawyer, with a broad scope, to join our team as Corporate Counsel/General Counsel. This is a new position that reports directly to the Chief Strategy Officer and is a member of our Senior Leadership Team. This hands-on role is an exciting opportunity for a strategic, business-minded legal professional to own legal operations for a growth-oriented company at the forefront of sustainable technology. You will play a crucial role in our strategic initiatives and daily operations across functions and geographies and leverage both your legal skills and your demonstrated business acumen. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Provide timely, clear and practical legal advice to all levels of management and the Board. Advise departmental leaders on applicable laws and interpretation of legal documents.  
• Act as a key member of the Strategy team, supporting its cross-functional work in fundraising, M&A and strategic partnerships. 
• Partner with Technology, Business Development and Procurement teams to handle a broad range of contract matters, including drafting and negotiating key agreements and overseeing contract management.  
• Lead the development and implementation of legal and compliance policies and procedures. Collaborate in the development of other policies and procedures. Offer guidance on finance, HR, cyber security, privacy and corporate governance matters. 
• Contribute to key aspects of corporate governance, including board meeting preparation and minute-taking. Maintain up-to-date corporate records and compliance. 
• Supervise and direct outside legal counsel, manage the allocation of internal and external legal resources and legal costs.  
• Oversee litigation and dispute management, collaborating with business leaders and external counsel on dispute resolution strategies and tactics.  
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the legal and regulatory environment in Summit’s operational jurisdictions. Develop risk mitigation strategies and ensure alignment with legal frameworks.  
• Act as a trusted resource/partner to the intellectual property team on IP strategy and execution. 

Qualifications: 

• LL.B or J.D. from an accredited university in Canada or the equivalent, and a member in good standing with the Law Society in at least one province in Canada. 
• Minimum of 7 + years’ corporate commercial experience, preferably in a combination of both leading law firms and companies with operations across multiple jurisdictions. 
• Proven ability to develop and execute legal strategy, with strong analytical skills and a detail-oriented approach. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate legal risks clearly to stakeholders at all levels. Strong ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external contacts. 
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, with demonstrated expertise in contracting, contract management, corporate governance, compliance and records management.  
• Proven ability and passion for rolling up sleeves and doing the work. 
• Flexibility to manage a fast-paced and changing environment, with excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.  
• Strong preference for candidates with experience in the chemicals, materials and/or technology development industries, and with experience with intellectual property contracting (technology transfer and IP licenses, MTAs, etc.), joint ventures and/or MSA+SOW and other EPC/M agreements. 
• Bilingualism (English/Spanish) and/or experience in the US and/or LATAM would be an asset. 

 Only successful candidates will be contacted for further steps in the hiring process.