Chief Executive Officer - Nova Scotia Barristers' Society (Filled)

Charting a progressive path forward for Nova Scotia’s legal profession, enhancing societal and professional impact

The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society (NSBS), comprising over 2,000 members, is the collective voice of the legal profession in Nova Scotia and acts in the public interest, providing leadership, value and support to a competent, ethical, inclusive, and engaged legal profession. As the regulatory body for the legal profession, the Society has accountability for accreditation, establishing ethical standards, overseeing professional responsibility, investigating complaints, and setting practice standards. The Society strives to improve the administration of justice in the province and serves the interests of the people of Nova Scotia. It champions the positive impact that the legal profession and lawyers have in all facets of society.

At a pivotal time in its history, the Society is charting a new path to advance the legal profession and to fulfill the mission of improving how justice and legal services are delivered in Nova Scotia in a way that is proactive, principled, and proportionate. The Society is deeply committed to addressing systemic discrimination in the justice system, within the Society, and in the broader community, embodying equality, diversity, and inclusion as integral to the delivery of legal services and the administration of justice within the province.

Reporting to the Council and working closely with the elected President, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) takes a lead role in articulating the future vision for the Society and advancing and strengthening its public profile, management systems, and regulatory obligations, as well as championing improvements to the delivery of justice and legal services in Nova Scotia. Responsible for facilitating and implementing the Society’s strategy and annual operating plans, the CEO leads a dedicated team and manages the organization’s annual operating budgets, performance management, administrative and human resources, risk management, and policies.

The CEO is a visionary, innovative and collaborative leader with a rare opportunity and platform to chart a new path for the Society and to advance the legal profession with progressive change. They are comfortable in a high-profile role and have a track record of change management and galvanizing community and diverse stakeholders to come together with a shared purpose.

An accomplished and authentic people leader, the CEO is savvy at building strong trusted relationships, stakeholder engagement, a positive culture, and fostering organizational excellence. An exceptional communicator, they prioritize meaningful community and member engagement and are a respected executive and catalyst in embracing and leading the Society’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and in the administration of justice.

The ideal candidate has a post-secondary graduate level degree (a law degree preferred) with at least 10 years of executive leadership experience and an accomplished track record of embracing and leading change in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Experience working in a legal, regulated, or member-based organization is an asset. The CEO is well versed with policy, governance, and organizational structure and has an interest in or knowledge of the Canadian legal community and justice system. They possess strong financial acumen and a continuous improvement, results-oriented mindset. The CEO has a demonstrated commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion and an innate ability to cultivate strong relationships and stakeholder alignment in a dynamic environment.

Please submit your resume and interest online by clicking “Apply.” For further information about this opportunity, please contact Amy Reid (areid@royerthompson.com) or Kim West (kwest@royerthompson.com) in confidence at 902-422-2099.