Job Summary:

The Director, Communications, manages the communications team and is the lead advisor to senior members of the Law Society on Communications best practices. The Director, Communications provides strategic direction, advice, and support to the Senior Management Team, direct reports and other stakeholders. The Director, Communications is accountable for the development and execution of all internal and external integrated communication plans and strategies in partnership with business areas and Law Society leadership to support the Law Society’s goals and values. The Director leads the communications across extensive internal and external professional networks, enhancing the public image of the Law Society, supporting reputational risk management and credibility of the Law Society with its key constituents (benchers, Convocation, Executive Directors, internal and external stakeholders). The Director also has accountability for Law Society Translation services and oversees the professional and timely delivery of corporate French language services to the Law Society.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: 

• A university bachelors degree in Journalism, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field.
• Membership in the International Association of Business Communicators is considered an asset.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive related communications experience gained in a government, not-for-profit, interest-based environment or private sector corporate environment with public policy issues management, 7 of which are in a managerial / leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and retain talent of a team of strategic / creative thinkers. 
• Demonstrated ability to assess organizational capability and adjust plans as required to successfully carry out organizational strategies. 
• Knowledge of best practices with respect to organizational communication including internal communication, research and measurement, and web management. 
• Extensive knowledge of print and electronic communications vehicles, including web-based applications. 
• Proven ability to implement communication strategies related to change management issues. 
• Knowledge of current trends and developments in social media and digital communications and their practical applications. 
• Familiarity with Law Society policies, practices and protocols, and an understanding of the principles underlying governance of the legal profession
• Demonstrated writing and editing skills for various audiences (employees, SMEs, job seekers, legal community) and the ability to coach and mentor others to build communications skills
• In-depth knowledge of project management, including marketing and strategic positioning vehicles, and event management
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple agendas, meet changing deadlines, and deliver on a large number of concurrent commitments.
• Superior analytical and communication skills coupled with excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated financial acumen to develop and manage an annual budget of $5 million
• Bilingual (French and English) would be considered an asset. 
• Experience with online marketing technologies including social media and content management software
• Strong understanding of common web applications
• Experience using SharePoint an asset

Client / Customer Service Planning

• Develops and implements the Communications operational plan for the department drawing from the Law Society strategic goals and mandate.
• Collaborates with business areas and executives on communication plans for large initiatives including translation needs, and leads, directs, and delivers a broad range of communications services provided by the department.
• Develops and implements an issues management framework, including but not limited to internal and external communications, media relations and materials (paper, electronic) production, in consultation with business areas.
• Expands the organization’s media contact database and fosters partnerships with the media, influencers, bloggers, and non-traditional media outlets.
• Leads development and implementation of strategic social media program, appropriate for a regulatory body.

Client / Customer Service Delivery

• Develops and delivers expertise in the department including strategic communications planning, issues management, quick response, news releases and backgrounders, publications content, and public communication.
• Formulates integrated departmental plans and delivery vehicles and implements policies, procedures, and protocols for the department, including, but not limited to, issues management, media relations in support with external relations department, and internal and external communications vehicles.
• Prepares and/or ensures the preparation of reports, sound alternatives and workable recommendations based on a thorough analysis of factors affecting the Law Society from a communications, mandate, and corporate reputation perspective.
• Establishes and monitors standards for public website content and design, ensures accurate and current content of the public website, and as required, supervises the redesign and enhancements of the public website.
• Engages in qualitative and quantitative research on public opinion, emerging issues, and potential communications response requirements.
• Accountable for translation services, monitor media/social media and provide strategic advice to manage and mitigate reputational risks.
• Develops metrics and measures to monitor and assess the effectiveness of communications tactics and strategies.
• Establishes internal protocol and standards for internal communications, including the internal intranet site.

People Leadership

• Hires, trains, develops, and evaluates employees accountable to the Director in accordance with the policies of the organization and best human resources practices.
• Fosters a team environment by role modeling leadership behavior, empowering employees accountable to the Director, and building team capability.
• Ensures that the Communications team adds value to organization and strategic initiatives through ongoing communication, coaching, consultation, and problem solving around the effectiveness of Communications departments service delivery.
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias. 

Policy Development

• Oversees the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to effective information communication practices linked with the Law Society’s goals and ensures that policies and processes are in place to manage the reputation of the Law Society.
• Anticipates and monitors communication best practices which may impact organizational policy and practice(s).
• Recommends changes to the Executive Director and ensures the effective implementation of changes to policy and / or practice, communicating changes to managers and employees.

Financial Responsibility

• Develops and monitors the Communications budget, adjusting plans as required.
• Identifies operational and staff budget requirements, preparing forecasts and projections, monitoring budget adherence, identifying/explaining variances and discrepancies and authorizing expenditures within budget and approved limits.
• Negotiates contracts for services with vendors and outsourced service providers

Team Membership

• Demonstrates personal excellence, bringing knowledge and functional expertise to the Communications team.
• Champions inclusion of communications as integral to all business unit and governing body policy decisions.
• Ensures the alignment of communication vehicles with plans and policies.
• Contributes to group decision-making and processes, generating ideas, which are strategically sound, integrated with the Law Society’s broader mandate, and achievable in a timely, balanced and fiscally sound manner.

Performance Goals, Targets, and Standards

• Establishes and/or verifies established goals and strategies to achieve communications targets and quality standards.
• Ensures that goals, strategies, standards, and systems are consistent with organizational needs by conducting research, benchmarking best practices, and formulating appropriate organizational responses. 

Relationship and Alliance Building

• Builds departmental credibility and develops working relationships with key groups throughout the organization including the Professional Regulation and Professional Development & Competence divisions, the Treasurer’s Office and Benchers, and externally with reporters, editors, and social media influencers.
• Builds relationships with other Law Societies and other legal and community stakeholders, developing common strategies, positions, and goals with respect to the formulation of consistent communications of issues of importance to the legal profession.

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 hr@lso.ca or call 416-947-3475. We appreciate all interest and will directly contact candidates under consideration.