Counsel, Office of the Executive Director, Professional Development & Competence contract to December, 2026 (Hybrid, Toronto)

At Law Society of Ontario we believe in the importance of a collaborative and supportive work environmentthat provides high quality andprofessional service to the public lawyers and paralegals and other stakeholders.

We are always on the lookout for exceptional individuals who are ready to make a meaningful impact innovate and grow with us. Our offering:

• We value each member of our team and invest in your professional learning and development.
• We provide access to the resources needed to support professional growth mental health and well-being is a priority.
• Our competitive compensation package includes a defined contribution pension plan health and dental benefits plan and a robust Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP).
• Our progressive employment policies high levels of employeeengagement and the impressive architecture and beautiful grounds of the historic Osgoode Hall there are many reasons to work at the Law Society.

We hope you will consider joining the Law Society!

JOB PURPOSE

Supports the Executive Director Professional Development & Competence (PD&C) on regulatory developments policies strategic directions and operations planning including leading divisional projects and representing the Division in organization-wide initiatives. Provides information and guidance to the Executive Director and divisional management on issues trends and best practices related to entry-level and continuing competence. Conducts research and analysis on policy issues and initiatives arising from Bencher committees task forces and working groups. Ensures the competence framework supports the Law Societys mandate to uphold high standards of learning and professional competence in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Requires an LLB or JD plus a Class L1 licence with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Requires a minimum of 5 years experience working for a professional governing body government legal organization or in legal practice or similar professional setting.
• Professional Knowledge
  
  • Solid knowledge of the Law Society Act and its regulations as well as Law Society policies and governance structures particularly in relation to protecting the public interest upholding the rule of law and promoting access to justice equity diversity and inclusion.
  • Thorough knowledge of policy development processes with an understanding of political dynamics and proven ability to develop and implement strategies for managing sensitive or controversial issues.
  • Substantial knowledge of public policy public administration and regulatory policy processes and procedural issues.
  • Relevant practical experience in project management (planning implementation measurement).
  • Comprehensive knowledge and use of research tools including data analysis.
  • Familiarity with consultation and analysis techniques.
• Technical Skills
  
  • Microsoft Office Suite / 365 (Word Excel PowerPoint etc.).
  • Familiarity with social media.
• Competencies
  
  • Customer service skills.
  • Negotiation skills with tact and diplomacy.
  • Proven in-depth research and analytical ability and problem-solving skills in support of policy development decision-making processes.
  • Project coordination prioritization and time management skills.
  • Business acumen and data-driven decision-making.
  • Interpersonal oral and written communication and presentation skills. Expressive and persuasive in both spoken and written language facilitating effective decision-making.
  • Organizational and multitasking skills with attention to detail.
  • Relationship Management.
  • Proven ability to evaluate organizational capabilities and adapt plans effectively to achieve strategic objectives.
  • Demonstrated ability to address strategic imperatives and priorities of a regulatory authority.

Client / Customer Service Delivery

• Collaborates with the Executive Director divisional management Benchers and other stakeholders to develop and implement initiatives that advance operations policy and divisional priorities.
• Develops policy recommendations and operational plans for the Executive Director senior management task forces and working groups ensuring effective implementation and alignment with divisional priorities.
• Assesses the operational impact of proposals and reports consulting with divisional management to recommend next steps including budget analysis scheduling resources and infrastructure requirements.
• Provides analysis and project management support for Bencher committees working groups and task forces on matters related to entry-level and continuing competence.
• Drafts reports correspondence workplans and business cases to support the implementation of approved initiatives.
• Supports the Executive Director and divisional management in managing information communications and stakeholder engagement on professional competence issues.
• Prepares presentations to support the Executive Director in board and external activities and engagements.

Research

• Conducts research and develops reports with recommendations on professional competence issues in collaboration with the Executive Director and internal/external experts.
• Monitors developments in admissions quality assurance education and practice management to ensure divisional outputs reflect current best practices.
• Analyzes the financial and resource impacts of proposed policy initiatives.
• Contributes to the development approval and implementation of operational plans and policy recommendations as directed by the Executive Director.

Special Projects and Initiatives

• Leads and implements special projects and initiatives related to competence ensuring staff coordination and collaboration to meet deliverables within set timelines.
• Develops project specifications and recommends tools methods technology and resources to support planning and implementation.
• Facilitates meetings with stakeholders subject matter experts and vendors to advance project objectives.
• Prepares submissions correspondence presentations and articles for the Executive Director Benchers and senior staff.
• Represents the Law Society at meetings conferences and symposia as required.
• Works with the Executive Director senior PD&C staff and other key stakeholders to set communicate and monitor targets and objectives for divisional projects.
• Establishes monitors and manages project-specific budgets and expenditures and reports to stakeholders including the Executive Director CEO Finance and project sponsors.

Relationship and Alliance Building

• Acts as a primary representative of the Law Society to external parties including national and international law societies the Federation of Law Societies legal organizations law schools and provincial and federal governments.
• Develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders and decision makers effectively communicating the Law Societys position and fostering goodwill and influence.
• Represents the Executive Director in meetings and in managing ongoing issues with internal and external stakeholders as well as with PD&C staff on both general processes and specific complaints.

Team Membership

• Collaborates with the Executive Director senior PD&C staff and other key stakeholders to support divisional priorities.
• Promotes a team-based approach by ensuring timely and comprehensive information sharing and coordinating staff efforts to achieve shared objectives.
• Evaluates current practices recommends improvements and establishes methodologies for ongoing review and evaluation aligned with best practices and continuous improvement goals.

The Law Society has introduced a Distributed Workforce Model to leverage flexibility and agility and to maximize employee productivity and engagement. Work arrangements will be determined by role and departmental requirements. The working arrangement for this position has been classified as hybrid where the employee will regularly flex their work location between home and office. The specific application of this will be communicated to applicants contacted during the recruitment process.

The Law Society of Ontario is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from persons representing the diversity of our community. We are committed to creating an accessible barrier-free and inclusive workplace and are committed to continuing compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please make any requirement you may have for accommodation during the recruitment process known when contacted.

If you are unable to apply to this position due to the requirement for an accommodation of any kind please email us at or call . We appreciate all interest and will directly contact candidates under consideration.

The Law Society of Ontario does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to screen assess or select applicants during the hiring process at present.