At Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, we deliver excitement. Our mission is to be the heartbeat of our community by creating connections, building champions, and winning, together. If you’d like to join a team that’s people-first, diverse, innovative, and energized about delivering extraordinary fan experiences to our guests, then we’d love to sign you to a player's contract!
THE POSITION
The General Counsel serves as the chief legal advisor to Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation ("CSEC"), providing strategic legal counsel and leadership across all areas of the organization. As a member of the executive leadership team, the General Counsel partners with senior leaders to support business objectives, manage legal and regulatory risk, and protect the organization's interests while enabling innovation and growth.
This role provides legal support across a broad range of business functions, including commercial transactions, governance, employment matters, privacy and data protection, intellectual property, real estate and development projects, charitable activities, and league matters. The General Counsel leads the organization's legal function and oversees the management of external legal advisors.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Strategic Legal Counsel and Risk Management
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the executive leadership team on legal, regulatory, governance and strategic business matters.
- Identify, assess and mitigate legal and business risks across the organization.
- Provide practical, business-focused legal advice to support organizational objectives and decision-making.
- Oversee the management of disputes, litigation and regulatory matters, including the engagement and management of external counsel.
Commercial and Operational Support
- Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including sponsorship, marketing, media, technology, procurement, licensing, ticketing, venue and other business agreements.
- Provide legal support for significant corporate initiatives, transactions, partnerships, real estate matters and major capital projects, including arena and facility developments.
- Advise on customer, vendor, procurement and operational matters to support the organization's business activities.
Governance, Compliance and Regulatory Affairs
- Provide legal guidance regarding corporate governance, regulatory compliance and organizational policies.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments and ensure appropriate policies, practices and controls are in place to support compliance.
- Advise on matters relating to privacy, data protection, advertising, intellectual property, workplace law and charitable activities.
- Support the organization's relationships with professional sports leagues and ensure compliance with applicable league rules, regulations and governing documents.
Leadership and Collaboration
- Lead and manage the legal function, including establishing priorities, managing external legal resources and overseeing legal expenditures.
- Foster strong relationships across the organization and collaborate with business leaders to proactively address legal issues and opportunities.
- Promote a proactive, solutions-oriented and service-focused legal culture.
THE INDIVIDUAL
The ideal individual will have the following background:
- Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree from an accredited institution.
- Active membership in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta.
- 5-8 years of post-call legal experience.
- Experience practising in a corporate, commercial or in-house legal environment; in-house experience is considered an asset.
- Demonstrated experience drafting, negotiating and advising on a broad range of commercial agreements and business matters.
- Strong understanding of corporate governance, commercial transactions, risk management and regulatory compliance.
- Ability to balance legal risk with business objectives and provide practical, strategic advice.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in one or more of the following areas is considered an asset: privacy and data protection, employment law, intellectual property, real estate, technology transactions or charitable/non-profit law.
- Familiarity with the professional sports and entertainment industry is an asset.
- Experience leading complex projects and managing external counsel is an asset.
This position will remain open until 3:00pm Monday, July 20th, 2026.
CSEC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on age, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religious belief, or sexual orientation.
