Law Society of Ontario

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

Job ID
2025-2536
# Positions
1
Years of Experience
5
Term
Contract
Working Arrangement
Hybrid

OVERVIEW

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 Society’s 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.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

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 Society’s 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.

WORKING ARRANGEMENT

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.

OUR COMMITMENT

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.

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