Chief Executive Officer – Nova Scotia Legal Aid

Nova Scotia Barristers' Society; Halifax; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Nova Scotia Legal Aid in Halifax is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead strategic direction, governance and high-quality public service delivery across the province.

The CEO will oversee a province-wide team of legal and administrative professionals, collaborating with government, judiciary and communities to advance access to justice and responsible stewardship of public resources.

Qualifications

• Experience leading legal aid, justice sector, or complex public-service organizations.
• Proven ability to set strategy, drive organizational performance and governance.
• Strong integrity, sound judgment and ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to Nova Scotia Legal Aid, guiding strategy, governance and performance.
• Lead a province-wide team of legal and administrative professionals.
• Collaborate with government, judiciary and communities to advance access to justice.
• Oversee stewardship of public resources and ensure delivery of high-quality services.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Governance

Financial acumen

Stakeholder management

Education

Law degree

Job description

Chief Executive Officer – Nova Scotia Legal Aid

• August 6, 2026

Leadership. Justice. Public Service.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid plays a vital role in ensuring eligible Nova Scotians have access to high-quality legal services when they need them most. Through a province-wide network of staff lawyers, social workers, support staff and private law firms, the organization delivers criminal, family and social justice services that strengthen individuals, families and communities across the province.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction and performance of Nova Scotia Legal Aid. This is an opportunity to lead a respected public institution with a clear mandate and meaningful impact, while helping shape the future of access to justice in Nova Scotia.

The CEO will provide strategic leadership to a dedicated, province-wide team of legal and administrative professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement. Working closely with the Board and senior leadership team, the CEO will guide organizational strategy, oversee the responsible stewardship of public resources, strengthen organizational performance, and ensure the continued delivery of responsive, high-quality legal services.

Success in this role will be built on trusted relationships. The CEO will work collaboratively with government, the judiciary, the legal profession, Indigenous and African Nova Scotian communities, justice partners and community organizations, serving as a credible and respected leader while advancing Nova Scotia Legal Aid’s mandate and strengthening public confidence in its services.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished senior leader with experience in the legal profession, legal aid, the justice sector or another complex public-service environment. You have demonstrated success leading people, strategy and organizational performance within a values-driven organization and are recognized for your integrity, sound judgment and ability to build trust across diverse stakeholder groups. You bring strong business and financial acumen, experience supporting effective governance, and a collaborative leadership style that develops people, strengthens culture and inspires high performance. A sound understanding of Nova Scotia’s justice system and the issues influencing access to justice will be important, while a law degree and membership in good standing, or eligibility for membership, with the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society or another Canadian law society would be considered an asset.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid values a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens and communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented and equity-deserving groups such as Indigenous Peoples, African Nova Scotians and other racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and women in underrepresented roles.

If you are a member of one or more of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify in your electronic application, cover letter, or resume. If you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment and selection process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

For further information about this opportunity, please contact Amy Reid ([e-mail] ) or Dominique Roche ([e-mail] ) in confidence.