Public Affairs Advisor, Policy, Equity and External Relations 12 Month Contract (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 SUMMARY

Engages with the Law Societys stakeholders to increase licensee and public awareness of and commitment to Law Society initiatives while ensuring the organization remains informed about issues of relevance within the membership and stakeholder community. Strengthens understanding of the Law Societys mission goals initiatives and services and advocates on its behalf to justice system stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Requires a 3-year Bachelors Degree in public policy or a related discipline.
• Requires a minimum of 5 years experience in building relationships and alliances with stakeholders throughout the province preferably in government stakeholder relations or a related field.

• Professional Knowledge:

  • The Law Societys organizational structure services mandate rules and regulations.
  • Law association structures and mandates.
  • Political and government structures and processes.
  • Creation of promotional copy and the designing and editing of publications.
  • French language is an asset.

• Technical Skills:

  • Microsoft Office Suite / 365 (Word Excel PowerPoint etc.).

  • Event hosting and meeting platforms.
  • Web content management systems (e.g. Kentico).
  • Relationship management platforms.
  • Database systems.
  • Mass email systems.

• Competencies:

  • Analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Project coordination prioritization and time management skills
  • Interpersonal oral and written communication and presentation skills
  • Organizational and multitasking skills with attention to detail
  • Relationship Management

Client / Customer Service Planning

• Contributes to the development and implementation of the stakeholder engagement plan and provides strategic support to the CEOs and Treasurers offices and the Law Societys engagement and outreach activities.
• Develops and implement a focused outreach plan and support bencher (i.e. Board member) outreach initiatives.
• Provides significant input to the Manager External Relations in the development and management of strategic responses to issues that impact the Law Society by conducting research analysis and drafting proposed responses briefing notes and speaking notes.
• Assists in identifying and developing outreach activities events and issues management strategies to advance Law Society initiatives.
• Supports the proactive and comprehensive stakeholder relations strategy and programs including information exchange and personal contact with key stakeholders such as key politicians and civil servants.
• Plans initiatives that require development of working relationships with multiple level contacts across departments to manage information and provide input for solutions to stakeholder issues.
• Supports the Law Societys Action Group on Access to Justice (A2J) as lead staff overseeing the development and implementation of the A2J Week programming.
• Supports A2J Week and other CPD programs from formulation to filming liaising with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the themes and content are relevant and reflect Law Society and access to justice objectives.
• Designs programs with input from stakeholders such as board members senior management and external stakeholders making adjustments to ensure it reflects LSO objectives.
• Monitors A2Js budget and informs management of the status and availability of funds.

Client / Customer Service Delivery

• Develops and implements assigned projects in support of the goals and objectives of External Relations the CEOs and Treasurers offices and the Law Society as a whole.
• Organizes and attends meetings with stakeholders throughout the province (networking events programming and other relationship-building activities with county and district law associations legal and paralegal organizations) and works closely with the Manager and other staff to coordinate follow-up services and activities.
• Liaises with other staff stakeholders and other provider organizations to obtain and to disseminate information and input about initiatives and issues of concern to the Law Society.
• Curates The Action Group on Access to Justice (TAG)s communications vehicles and participates in the development of communications tools to ensure that timely and accurate communications reach the intended audience(s) both internal and external.
• Provide information to stakeholders to support the implementation of policies programs and initiatives.
• Monitors progress and provides reports to the Manager.

Relationship and Alliance Building

• Manages complex public affairs relationships in both the government field and external justice stakeholders frequently without supervision.
• Forges strong relationships with stakeholder representatives and other organizations serving the profession to identify issues requiring action by the Law Society to build commitment to promote initiatives and to ensure appropriate coordination of service delivery to members.
• Navigates layered and complex relationships with multiple stakeholders.
• Reacts proactively in unpredictable circumstances when in contact with stakeholders.

Policy Development

• Identifies emerging issues recommends the development of policy content resources and other initiatives to address these issues.
• Contributes to the overall direction of policy assessing and discussing priorities member needs and accompanying strategies.
• Keeps stakeholders informed and solicits their input on proposals for changes in policies and resources.

Research

• Remains abreast of new developments in the practice of law and legal profession generally and plans for the furtherance of policy and initiatives in conjunction with the ongoing improvement of all aspects of External Relations.
• Engages in continuous gathering and analysis of complex information on strategies employed in other jurisdictions in connection with initiatives and as well within stakeholder and government relations communities.
• Provides quarterly activity and intelligence reports to the Executive Director.

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.

This is an existing position.

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