Purpose of the JobThe Corporate Secretary, reporting to the General Counsel, is the Bank's senior governance officer and a trusted advisor to the Board of Directors, Board Chair, Committee Chairs, Chief Executive Officer and executive leadership. The role safeguards the integrity of EQB's governance framework, enables effective Board decision-making and ensures EQB Inc., Equitable Bank and their subsidiaries meet applicable corporate, securities, stock exchange and financial institution governance obligations.
The Corporate Secretary leads the enterprise governance agenda, establishes governance standards, advises on complex Board and Committee matters and oversees corporate records, public-company reporting and insider compliance. The role ensures Board decisions are clearly documented, communicated and implemented, and operates with significant independence, discretion and judgment.
Board Leadership and Advisory- Act as principal governance advisor to the Board Chair, Committee Chairs, directors, the CEO and senior management on fiduciary duties, governance practices, conflicts of interest, decision authorities and Board processes.
- Lead the annual Board and Committee calendar, agendas and workplans, aligning regulatory obligations, strategic priorities, risk oversight and outstanding actions.
- Partner with the Board Chair, Committee Chairs, CEO and executive sponsors to ensure agendas and materials support informed, timely and effective decision-making.
- Oversee the timely and accurate assembly and distribution of board and committee materials for EQB and all subsidiaries
- Serve as Corporate Secretary at meetings of the Board, Board Committees and shareholders, ensuring meetings are properly called, constituted and conducted.
- Oversee preparation of accurate and defensible minutes and resolutions that reflect deliberations, challenge, conflicts, advice received, decisions and accountabilities while protecting confidentiality and legal privilege.
- Communicate Board decisions, assign accountabilities and oversee the timely completion of actions.
- Advise on director independence, suitability, succession, onboarding, education, evaluation, compensation, share ownership and departures.
- Lead Board, Committee, Chair and director effectiveness assessments and translate findings into practical governance improvements.
Corporate Governance and Regulatory Stewardship- Own and continuously strengthen EQB's enterprise governance framework, including Board and Committee mandates, governance guidelines, position descriptions, by-laws, delegated authorities, policies and annual workplans.
- Monitor regulatory, legal, securities and governance developments affecting federally regulated financial institutions and Canadian public issuers.
- Assess emerging requirements and risks, provide clear recommendations and lead the implementation of required governance changes.
- Support the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in a manner aligned with EQB's strategy, complexity and risk profile.
- Oversee subsidiary and affiliate governance, including entity records, appointments, mandates, meetings, approvals, registrations, licences and reporting.
- Lead director and officer conflict-of-interest, independence, related-party and personal compliance processes, escalating significant matters as required.
- Maintain effective relationships with regulators, securities authorities, stock exchanges, proxy advisors, external counsel, auditors and other governance stakeholders.
Public Company, Shareholder and Corporate Services- Lead the governance components of continuous disclosure and annual reporting, including the management information circular, annual information form, material change reports, voting results and governance-related website disclosure.
- Oversee accurate and timely SEDAR+ and SEDI filings, insider reporting and director and officer compliance with securities and stock exchange requirements.
- Lead the planning and execution of the annual meeting of shareholders, including proxy materials, voting, scripts, resolutions, meeting records and post-meeting filings.
- Oversee corporate and share capital documentation, including incorporations, continuances, director and officer changes, share issuances, transfers and redemptions, capital changes and dividend declarations.
- Manage relationships with the transfer agent, Toronto Stock Exchange, proxy solicitors, newswire providers and external advisors within the role's mandate.
- Ensure the integrity, security, retention and accessibility of minute books, corporate records, Board materials and the Board portal.
Leadership and Operating Excellence- Lead the Board Services and corporate governance function, establishing clear priorities, standards, accountabilities, controls and service expectations.
- Translate enterprise priorities and governance requirements into functional strategies, workplans and measurable outcomes.
- Lead complex, cross-functional governance initiatives and establish clear responsibilities, timelines and escalation paths.
- Anticipate resource requirements, competing priorities and potential obstacles, and develop practical contingency plans.
- Modernize governance practices, processes and technology to improve Board effectiveness, information flow, security, efficiency and auditability.
- Build strong partnerships across Legal, Risk, Finance, Compliance, Internal Audit, Human Resources, Investor Relations and the business.
- Coach and mentor team members and emerging leaders, providing clear expectations, meaningful feedback and development opportunities.
- Manage the function's budget, resources and external providers and report transparently on priorities, capacity, risks and delivery.
Let's Talk About You!- Undergraduate degree in law, business, governance or a related discipline. A Juris Doctor, Bachelor of Laws, governance designation or equivalent professional qualification is strongly preferred.
- 15 or more years of progressive corporate governance, corporate secretarial, securities or legal experience, including significant experience supporting a Canadian public-company Board and its Committees.
- Significant experience within a federally regulated financial institution or another complex, highly regulated financial services organization.
- Expert knowledge of the Bank Act, Trust and Loan Companies Act, applicable corporate statutes, Canadian securities requirements, TSX requirements, OSFI governance expectations and leading Board practices.
- Demonstrated experience leading annual meeting and proxy processes, SEDAR+ and SEDI filings, insider reporting, subsidiary governance and corporate records.
- Recognized technical expertise in corporate governance, with the ability to anticipate regulatory and market developments and translate them into practical action.
- Exceptional Boardroom judgment, executive presence and credibility, with the confidence to provide independent advice and constructively challenge senior stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and business judgment, including the ability to assess complex issues, consider broader implications and make timely, risk-informed recommendations.
- Outstanding drafting and communication skills, including Board minutes, resolutions, mandates, policies, public disclosure and governance advice.
- Proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships, build alignment and influence decisions across organizational boundaries.
- Demonstrated leadership of complex change initiatives, including the ability to anticipate resistance, create practical implementation plans and reinforce sustainable improvements.
- Strong planning, prioritization and resource management skills, with the ability to manage multiple long-term priorities and immovable deadlines.
- High integrity and discretion, with mature judgment in handling market-sensitive, privileged and confidential information.
Job Complexities and Thinking ChallengesThe role operates at the intersection of the Board, senior management, regulators and public-company stakeholders. It requires the ability to interpret complex and evolving requirements, anticipate their broader implications and provide clear, practical advice in situations involving incomplete information, competing priorities or significant risk.
The Corporate Secretary must:
- Exercise exceptional judgment in sensitive, uncertain and time-critical situations.
- Balance legal, regulatory, governance, strategic and stakeholder considerations.
- Provide independent advice and constructive challenge to directors and senior executives.
- Translate complex requirements into clear decisions, accountabilities and implementation plans.
- Navigate competing expectations while maintaining the independence and integrity of the governance function.
- Protect confidential, privileged and market-sensitive information.
- Lead cross-functional responses to emerging governance, regulatory and disclosure matters.
- Make timely decisions while considering immediate, longer-term and enterprise-wide implications.
- Be able to function under pressure and be flexible and adaptable to changing agendas, materials and other last-minute items
Corporate Secretary is responsible for the effective functioning of board meetings and governance practices for all boards and committees within the EQB corporate family.
What we offer [For full-time permanent roles]Competitive discretionary bonus
Market leading RRSP match program
🩺 Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits
📝 Employee Share Purchase Plan
Maternity/Parental top-up while you care for your little one
Generous vacation policy and personal days
Virtual events to connect with your fellow colleagues
Professional development and comprehensive Career Development program
A fulfilling opportunity to join one of the top FinTechs and help create a new kind of banking experience
The incumbent will be working hybrid and in office time will be spent working from EQ Bank's additional office space located at
2200-25 Ontario Street, Toronto, ON.
