Counsel – Legal, Regulatory & Compliance

Job Description

Yamaha Motor Corporation ("YMC") is a publicly listed Japanese Corporation in the business of manufacturing and distributing recreational product to dealers and customers around the world. YMC is a Kando creating company; “offering more excitement and a more fulfilling life for people”.
Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd ("YMCA") is a subsidiary of YMC, responsible for distributing Yamaha Motor product to Canadian dealers and consumers. YMCA’s Vision is to “Create Lifelong Memories by Connecting People through Unique Canadian Outdoor Experiences”. YMCA executes its day‑to‑day activities in reference to its defined values, “Be Inclusive”, “Think Customer”, “Own it!”, “Innovate Now!”, “Trust & Integrity”, “Be Agile”, and “Drive results”.

Position Information

• Department: Corporate Services


• Location: 480 Gordon Baker Road


• Hybrid


• Status: Full Time


• Reports to: Director – Legal, Regulatory & Compliance

Summary Of Responsibilities

The Counsel – Legal, Regulatory & Compliance (LRC) will support the LRC department in providing expert legal guidance and strategic counsel to YMCA and will report to the Director of LRC. The successful candidate will work closely within the North American in‑house counsel community, and engage with the global counsel on global matters.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Legal Strategy & Counsel

• Support the LRC Department in providing guidance on business operations, corporate governance, product development, employment laws, intellectual property, sales and marketing, and with a particular focus on regulatory matters.

Product And Regulatory Compliance

• Support LRC Department in achieving compliance with Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial laws, including competition, environmental, and employment regulations and ensuring Yamaha’s operations adhere to legal frameworks. In addition, support LRC Department in ensuring legal, regulatory & compliance requirements applicable to the regional and global policy framework are suitably deployed and managed.


• Additionally, support LRC Department to ensure that all Yamaha products are in compliance with all Canadian laws and regulations. Prepare and file reports as per regulatory requirements including but not limited to Transport Canada, Environment Climate Change Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada regulations. Respond to all inquiries from regulators such as but not limited to Transport Canada, Environment Climate Change Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Further, prepare and submit corporate filings, conduct stewardship programs reporting and auditing and provide environmental awareness and support environmental initiatives. In addition, reviewing and ensuring compliance relating to contests.

Corporate Governance

• Support the LRC Department in advising on governance matters, ensuring compliance with applicable Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial laws. Draft and review governance documentation as needed.

Contract Negotiations

• Support LRC Department on contractual matters including where applicable leading negotiations for contracts, including vendor agreements, dealer contracts, and joint ventures, ensuring legal risk mitigation while advancing business goals. In addition, maintain a risk-based vendor management policy, including contract register. Further, supporting and as needed leading organizational contract review process operationalization.

Ethics & Compliance Training

• Support LRC Department in conducting training on legal and regulatory compliance matters, ensuring staff understand their responsibilities under applicable Canadian laws and internal policies.

Risk Management

• Support LRC Department to identify and address risks associated with business operations, including product liability, regulatory compliance, and consumer issues and developing risk mitigation strategies and advise leadership accordingly. Additionally, liaise with insurance company and manage the annual renewal process, processing claims, bonds, and certificates of insurance. Further, supporting and as needed leading risk and compliance management committee and health & safety committee.

Dispute Resolution & Litigation

• Support LRC Department in managing legal disputes, including litigation and arbitration including managing external legal resources when necessary.

Privacy & Data Protection

• Supporting LRC Department in ensuring compliance with PIPEDA and provincial privacy laws, including, but not limited to, Quebec’s Law 25 including develop and manage data protection strategies, manage incident response, and oversee privacy policies across digital platforms.

Intellectual Property, Advertising, Marketing & Ad-Tech Compliance

• Supporting LRC Department to review advertising and marketing materials for compliance with applicable laws including but not limited to consumer protection laws and as applicable data usage for targeted advertising, are compliant with privacy and other applicable regulations.


• Intellectual Property: Supporting LRC Department to protect Yamaha’s intellectual property rights, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights, ensuring IP compliance and enforcement where necessary.

Employment Law

• Support LRC Department in advising on employment law matters, including contracts, workplace policies, compliance with employment standards, and dispute resolution.

Collaboration With Affiliates

• Support LRC Department in working closely with Yamaha Motor Finance – CA, Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, and Yamaha Motor Corporation (Japan) to ensure consistency in legal and compliance practices across the organization.

Ad Hoc Tasks And Projects

• Ad hoc tasks and/or projects as needed to provide legal, regulatory, compliance and other support including but not limited to collaborating with accounting and finance in respect of vendor setup, payment and budgeting related matters. The duties and key responsibilities set out herein are not intended to be exhaustive and other support and responsibilities may be required.

Experience Requirements

• Degree/Diploma:
  
  
  
  • A Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent degree from an accredited law school.
  
  
  
  


• Licensing: Active membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario (or eligibility for admission in Ontario).


• Program of Study: Law


• Years of Experience: 2+ years post articles industry experience


• Type of Experience: Relevant legal experience, preferably strong experience in regulatory law (optimally experience with Environment Canada, Transport Canada and stewardship matters) and additionally corporate law, compliance, and privacy, with exposure to regulatory frameworks at both the federal and provincial levels. Regulatory and product compliance will be a central component of accountability.

Skills And Abilities

• Previous experience in the automotive, motorsports, or manufacturing sectors is highly preferred with strong regulatory experience preferred.


• Strong understanding of Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial laws.


• Expertise in privacy laws, including PIPEDA and Quebec’s Law 25.


• Proven negotiation skills, particularly in handling complex contracts and agreements.


• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to advise senior leadership and work collaboratively with global affiliates.


• Strong risk management and dispute resolution capabilities.


• Leadership presence and ambassador of corporate culture.


• Ability to identify, prioritize and articulate highest impact initiatives.


• Customer centric focus.

Travel Requirements

• Occasional national (within Canada) and international travel.

Expected Salary Range

$90,000 - $120,000 per annum. Although base salary for this position falls within the above posted range, final compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity. Our total rewards approach is designed to provide competitive compensation with a focus on employee experience.

Benefits

• 100% employer‑paid health and dental benefits


• Employee assistance program


• Corporate bonus incentive + sales bonus (for applicable roles)


• RRSP with employer DPSP match (up to 5% of base salary)


• Employee‑paid STD, LTD, and life/dependent insurance


• Parental/maternal leave top‑up programs


• Product experience/engagement events


• Employee recognition program (Accelerate Together)


• Educational assistance


• Employee product purchase and rental program perks


• Kando‑driven corporate culture, recognized as a top GTA employer

This posting reflects a newly created vacancy within our organization. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used to support certain stages of the recruitment process, including applicant screening, assessment, or selection. All AI‑assisted activities are overseen by our recruitment team to ensure fairness, equity, and transparency.

Yamaha Motor Canada Ltd. welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.