General Counsel & Chief Regulatory Officer

From coast to coast to coast, the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (“AIBC”) is grateful to live, learn and work on the traditional and ancestral territories of the Indigenous Peoples who have been and continue to be the stewards of the land. The AIBC head office is located on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations lands, in Coast Salish Territory.

The AIBC is seeking a General Counsel & Chief Regulatory Officer to join our executive leadership team. This position is well suited to an accomplished administrative law lawyer who is passionate about public service, professional regulation, governance, and ethical leadership.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the Institute while ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of its regulatory framework. You will provide trusted legal and governance advice to the CEO and Board, lead key regulatory functions, and help ensure the AIBC continues to fulfill its public interest mandate with excellence, transparency, and accountability.

About Us

The AIBC is a professional regulator with the mandate to regulate the profession of architecture in British Columbia in the interest of the public. The AIBC was established in 1920 by provincial statute and, since 2023, has governed the profession under the authority of the Professional Governance Act. The AIBC provides flexible working arrangements and has adopted a hybrid working environment where most staff split their time between the AIBC offices and working remotely.

Our dog-friendly office is located in a heritage building in downtown Vancouver, close to a variety of excellent cultural, restaurant and commuter options.

About the Role

As a member of the executive team, the General Counsel & Chief Regulatory Officer provides strategic leadership across the Institute’s legal, regulatory, governance, and compliance functions. Working closely with the CEO and CAO, you will help shape organizational strategy, oversee core regulatory programs, provide expert legal counsel to the Board and executive leadership, and ensure the AIBC continues to meet its legislative obligations while advancing its strategic priorities.

This is a broad leadership role that combines strategic thinking with operational oversight and requires an exceptional ability to navigate complex legal, regulatory, governance, and organizational issues.

The core responsibilities include:

• Serving as the AIBC’s chief legal advisor to the Board, CEO and executive team on legal, governance, regulatory, compliance, risk management, litigation, employment, and strategic matters;
• Providing executive leadership for the Institute’s regulatory functions, including Registration and Licensing, Professional Conduct and Illegal Practice, Professional Services, and Regulatory Compliance;
• Leading the development and implementation of regulatory strategies, policies, programs, and performance measures that support the AIBC’s mandate and Strategic Plan;
• Supporting the CEO and Board in governance excellence by providing legal advice, policy analysis, governance best practices, and strategic recommendations;
• Overseeing organizational legal risk, regulatory compliance, privacy, Freedom of Information obligations, insurance matters, and ethical governance;
• Leading the implementation of systems that enable the AIBC to operate with the highest ethical standards and within the limits of the law;
• Providing leadership, coaching, and accountability to senior regulatory leaders while fostering collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement, and organizational effectiveness; and
• Helping ensure the AIBC fulfills its public interest mandate through effective governance, ethical leadership, and regulatory excellence.

About You

We are seeking a forward-thinking, innovative and collaborative leader who is committed to regulatory excellence in the public’s interest. The ideal candidate will have experience in supporting Board governance, leading organizational change, navigating complex regulatory environments, and developing high-performing teams.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A Juris Doctor (JD) or LLB and membership in good standing with the Law Society of British Columbia or eligibility for the same;
• At least 10 years of legal practice experience with a focus on litigation and administrative law;
• Experience developing, managing, motivating and leading teams in internal litigation strategy or decision making, professional regulation, public interest, public policy, and/or public administration;
• Proven experience providing reliable, legal, and strategic advice to senior leadership and executive experience in administrative law and regulatory compliance processes;
• Expert knowledge of the governance and ethics of self-regulating professions in Canada, including expectations for transparency, fairness and accountability;
• Experience working collaboratively with boards, professional volunteers and committees;
• An interest in architecture, professional regulation, public policy, and advancing the public interest.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer meaningful work, a collaborative culture, flexible work arrangements, and the opportunity to help shape the future of professional regulation in British Columbia.

Compensation includes:

• Salary range: $210,000 to $263,000 annually. The salary range assumes a candidate who is fully competent in the role. The actual salary will vary depending on relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training.
• Four weeks of vacation to start
• Membership in the Public Service Pension Plan
• Extended health and dental coverage
• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Subsidized transit pass
• Hybrid work environment
• Dog-friendly office in downtown Vancouver (heritage building)

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining us, please contact our recruiters at Hunter West Legal Recruitment at or . Please provide your resume and cover letter describing why you are a good fit for this position and how your knowledge and experience will contribute to our success. This position will remain open until filled.

To support a work environment that reflects inclusion, innovation, and the diversity of our communities, women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, persons of diverse gender identity or expression, persons with disabilities, and others who may wish to enthusiastically contribute to the work of the AIBC are encouraged to apply.

Please let us or Hunter West Legal Recruitment know if you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process.

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