J0326-0263 - Director, Legal Services

Ontario
$160,969-201,235 per year
Permanent
Full-time

19 days ago

Opening StatementThe City of Kingston is grateful to experience the traditional territories of Anishinabek (Ah-nish-nah-beg), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-o-show-nee) and Huron-Wendat (huron-wen·dat). Kingston is a smart, livable city in the heart of eastern Ontario. Its stable and diversified economy includes global corporations, innovative start-ups and all levels of government.At the City of Kingston, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential elements of a thriving workplace. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that each individual brings to our team. As we continue to grow, we are dedicated to creating an environment where all employees feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work. The City of Kingston views diversity as its strength and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented communities.As staff, you play a pivotal role in enhancing people's lives by delivering exceptional, customer-centered services of the highest quality. Within our highly ethical environment, you'll embrace accountability by consistently going above and beyond, actively listening to our customers, creatively addressing their needs, and maintaining unwavering respect for all individuals you serve. As a result, you'll become an integral part of our qualified and dynamic team, recognized for its compassion, excellence, integrity, inclusivity, and adaptability.Position SummaryReporting to the City Solicitor, the Director, Legal Services is a senior leadership position responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Legal Services team and delivering high-quality, timely and practical legal support to all departments across the municipality. This role focuses on team leadership, legal service delivery, process improvement, and cross-departmental collaboration to support the City's legal and strategic needs.As the operational leader of the legal department, the Director oversees staffing, workflow management, budgeting, and resource planning. The Director, Legal Services also contributes to high-level legal oversight and advises on a range of municipal legal matters. This role is responsible for supporting Council and Committee reporting, improving legal risk management and compliance processes, and ensuring effective legal service delivery aligned with corporate goals.This position requires a seasoned legal professional with proven leadership and communication skills who can mange a dynamic legal team, and provide clear, strategic legal advice to support the City's legislative and strategic objectives.In the absence of the City Solicitor, the Director, Legal Services will assume the responsibilities of the City Solicitor, including acting as the primary legal authority for the Corporation.KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESOperational Leadership of Legal ServicesLead the day-to-day operations of the Legal Services Team
Develop and implement operational plans, policies, and procedures to ensure high-quality legal service delivery
Ensure alignment of legal operations with the strategic goals of the City
Serve as the primary legal liaison for municipal departments seeking legal advice or support
Provide timely legal guidance to departments on operational and strategic initiatives
Coordinate legal input into cross-departmental projects and programsLegal Practice, Documentation and File ManagementUnder the direction of the City Solicitor, provide expert legal advice and direction on complex, high-profile, or politically sensitive legal matters
Serve as legal counsel on files involving municipal law, planning and development, procurement, real estate, litigation, and other municipal functions
Manage and prioritize a personal caseload in addition to supervising team workflows
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of legal documents including contracts, bylaws, agreements, and legal opinions
Ensure documents are legally sound and mitigate risk to the municipalityTeam OversightSupervise and support a team of staff lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staff
Assign files, monitor progress, and provide mentorship and training to legal staff
Conduct performance evaluations and promote a culture of professional development and collaborationCouncil and Committee SupportPrepare and present legal reports to City Council, Committees, CMT and Senior Leadership as required
Attend Council and committee meetings as required
Support the development of municipal policy from a legal perspectiveRisk Management and ComplianceIdentify legal risks and support risk mitigation strategies across the corporation
Ensure municipal compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, and court decisions
Assist in the development and review of internal policies and procedures from a legal standpointOther duties as assignedQualifications, CompetenciesUniversity degree in law (LL.B or J.D.) or equivalent legal qualificationMembership in good standing with the Law Society of OntarioA minimum of 7 years recent and progressive experience as a practicing lawyer or in a senior operations role within a law firm, corporate legal department, or public-sector legal office. Equivalent combinations of legal and operational leadership will be consideredProven leadership and strategic management experience, ideally with oversight of multidisciplinary teams or departmentsExperience in strategic planning, budgeting, and implementation of plans and policiesExperience with instructing and educating on matters of law and associated principlesSkills, Abilities, Work DemandsExperience leading operational planning and process improvements within a legal departmentDemonstrated ability to provide high-level legal analysis and risk mitigation strategiesDemonstrated knowledge of relevant legal principles applicable to government operations, such as property, procurement, contracts and regulatory mattersStrong knowledge of public policies, procedures, applicable legislation and regulations, relevant industry standards, by-laws and acts (municipal, provincial and federal)Highly developed analytical and strategic planning skills with the ability to understand municipal goals and ensure legal services are aligned with strategic and legislative prioritiesProficiency in drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex legal documents such as contracts, bylaws, legal opinions and settlement agreementsAbility to build relationships, resolve conflicts, negotiate, facilitate, and deliver information to a wide variety of audiencesStrong leadership abilities to supervise lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staffDemonstrated ability to build a high-performing, collaborative legal teamExcellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal matters to non-legal audiencesStrong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with Council, Corporate Management Team, City Staff and Community stakeholdersRequired to obtain and maintain a satisfactory criminal record checkClosing StatementPlease apply to Career Opportunities at:
Please inform us of any accommodations we need to make to ensure a barrier-free recruitment experience. Accommodations are available in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC)and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) at any stage in the recruitment process. We're happy to provide more information if you email us atYour resumé must demonstrate how you meet position requirements. Please upload to your profile any educational Degrees, Diplomas and/or Certificates that are relevant and required for the position. We thank all who apply, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. Information collected will be handled in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The City of Kingston may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) assisted tools throughout the recruitment process. All final hiring decisions are made by qualified municipal staff.Please ensure to check any spam or junk folders for any emails coming from a City of Kingston account.

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