Assistant Director of Knowledge

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading national law firm in Toronto is seeking an Assistant Director of Knowledge to lead the development and execution of the knowledge strategy. The successful candidate will manage key projects and mentor staff while ensuring high-quality knowledge resources and client-centred solutions. Ideal applicants will possess over 10 years of legal experience, a law degree, and strong leadership and communication skills. This role offers a competitive compensation package in a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Competitive compensation + Extended Health & Dental Care

RRSP Matching Program

Education/tuition allowance

Fitness Reimbursement Program

Diversity and Inclusion Centric Culture

Comprehensive wellness program

Fully stocked kitchen with snacks

Business casual dress code

Employee referral bonus

Qualifications

• 10+ years of legal and knowledge management experience in a law firm.
• Experience leading change with hands-on project management.
• Ability to gain trust with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop knowledge strategy and manage team for execution.
• Oversee and complete key Knowledge projects.
• Coach, mentor, and develop staff in the department.

Skills

Legal management experience

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Education

Law degree

Job description

About Us:

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP is a leading national law firm focused on serving the transaction, advocacy and advisory needs of Canada’s most dynamic business sectors. We have one of the largest business law practices in the country, serving multinational, national and mid-market clients from our offices in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.

Our Culture:

At Cassels, our mission is to attract, retain and promote individuals of exceptional ability and talent from as broad a range of backgrounds as possible. We offer meaningful career opportunities, invest in professional growth, and foster an inclusive environment. Our Firm’s success is built on the unique skills, perspectives, experiences and values of each individual. We encourage a corporate culture that respects and celebrates the dignity, value and diversity of all.

Role Overview:

Our Toronto office is currently seeking an Assistant Director of Knowledge, to work in our Knowledge & Practice Innovation department, reporting to our Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer. The Assistant Director of Knowledge has responsibility for development and delivery of the Knowledge strategy in conjunction with the rest of the Knowledge team including oversight of the Library team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Initiating and developing projects in conjunction with the CKO to drive knowledge strategy and develop the firm knowledge community.
• Overseeing execution and completion of key Knowledge projects.
• Taking a comprehensive and proactive approach to the implementation of knowledge products and processes and adapt and customise knowledge services to the specific needs of the client while adhering to firm standards.
• Solving complex knowledge management problems and develop client centred solutions to improve the efficiency and quality of knowledge resources.
• Developing effective and strategic client relationships internally.
• Representing the firm at industry functions and groups.
• Demonstrating initiative and recognizing areas where action is necessary. Identifying appropriate solutions by drawing on their breadth of experience within the legal environment.
• Conveying complex information to all stakeholders and be able to articulate the vision and value of the knowledge function to all stakeholders.
• Collaborating and interacting across all job functions to facilitate the required change.
• Effectively managing a team to ensure timely delivery of business needs and objectives.
• Coaching, mentoring, and developing staff, providing career development planning and opportunities.
• Empowering employees to take responsibility for their jobs and goals. Delegating responsibility and expect accountability and regular feedback.

Oversight of Legal Support

• Providing direction, mentoring, coaching and annual appraisals to the Knowledge and Library teams.
• Being the point of escalation for complex employee relations.
• Liaising with partner stakeholders on complex issues.

The successful candidate must have the following education, experience and/or demonstrated skills:

• 10 years or more of legal and knowledge management experience in a law firm.
• Law degree.
• Experience leading change in a multi‑stakeholder environment with hands‑on oversight of project management, stakeholder engagement and communications.
• Attendance in the Toronto office 4 days a week.
• Proven ability to gain trust and build credibility with a variety of stakeholders within a progressive, client focused, results‑oriented environment.
• Demonstrated comfort and ability to successfully navigate and deliver results within a demanding, growth‑oriented and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Human centered leadership skills that inspire enthusiasm, deliver empathy and respect, provide vision, and create a healthy and positive environment in which team members can belong, thrive, and deliver their best work.
• Clear and effective written communication skills and ability to facilitate meetings and discussions to include all points of view which results in aligned and actionable outcomes.
• An approachable manner with the ability to relate to people at all levels of an organization while providing effective coaching, advisement, support and guidance; ability to have straight conversations with tact and diplomacy, and effectively manage conflict.
• Ability to act as a role model of professional conduct pursuing excellence in execution, seeking opportunities for continuous improvement and producing effective recommendations and solutions that support both the people and the business.
• Ability to anticipate outcomes, identify risk, and adjust approach and services accordingly.
• Ability to work independently while understanding the importance of engaging key stakeholders for awareness or guidance and/or escalating issues as appropriate.
• Demonstrated ability to assess, analyze and take appropriate action in situations that require an urgent response.

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time (4-days per week in office)

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation + Extended Health & Dental Care.
• RRSP Matching Program.
• Education/tuition allowance.
• Fitness Reimbursement Program.
• Diversity and Inclusion Centric Culture.
• A Culture of Wellness: Cassels recognizes the importance of wellness and provides a comprehensive program that addresses the mental and physical well‑being of our employees by providing resources, services, training and support on an ongoing basis.
• A fully stocked kitchen with healthy snacks, plus coffee, tea, and drinks throughout the year.
• A business casual dress code (client/day specific).
• Employee referral bonus.

Cassels is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and an accessible environment. It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities and/or people with intersectional identities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, and we will provide appropriate accommodation for candidates with disabilities or accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process, upon request. Please contact our recruiter for any questions, accommodations or specific requests.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. We regret that we are unable to respond to individual inquiries about application status, unless required for accommodation purposes.