Chief Legal Officer

LCBO; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

The LCBO is seeking a Chief Legal Officer to lead legal services and support the executive team during a period of transformation. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in commercial law, strong leadership skills, and a strategic mindset. This role is crucial in minimizing legal risks and driving the organization's objectives.

Qualifications

• Extensive executive experience in commercial law and procurement.
• Advising Boards and Board Committees; Board Secretary experience.

Responsibilities

• Providing legal and advisory services on commercial matters and litigation.
• Serving as Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors.

Skills

Commercial Law

Leadership

Communication

Strategic Thinking

Education

LLB

MBA

MPA

Job description

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Established in 1927 as a provincial government agency, the LCBO is the largest retailer and wholesaler of beverage alcohol in the world. With a stellar local, national and international reputation as a best-in-class, customer-first, socially-responsible retailer and wholesaler, the LCBO prides itself in its commitment to supporting the local beverage alcohol industry and in offering more than 32,000 products annually from more than 70 countries to consumers and licensed establishments. The LCBO is a cornerstone of Ontario's economy and community as all net income ($2.43 billion in FY2024) helps fund key local and provincial public programs and services including health care, education and infrastructure.

To ensure it continues to grow sales responsibly, maximize profitability, and improve operational efficiency, the organization is undergoing a foundational business transformation impacting people, process and technology as outlined in the key strategic directions of its new strategic plan available in May 2025:

• Transform and scale our wholesale business.
• Craft the retail customer experience.
• Evolve our culture and organization.
• Modernize the foundations.

Strategic and responsive, the LCBO continues to evolve its operations to address the challenges and opportunities present in the business environment while supporting government objectives and customer needs.

All 10,000 employees are guided by the LCBO’s values that serve as the foundation of its culture, govern how business is done, and inform interactions with customers, partners and each other. The workforce is 89% unionized (OPSEU).

THE OPPORTUNITY

The LCBO seeks a new CLO to provide a broad and comprehensive range of legal and advisory services in response to legal and commercial matters, employee relations issues, and litigation proceedings. The CLO also serves as Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors and its Committees, and oversees Procurement Services as partners to the business in vendor selection and contract management in alignment with government direction and legislation.

The CLO is the strategic business partner to the President & CEO, the executive team, and the Board of Directors on all legal matters, which is paramount during this period of transformational change. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the CLO partners with peers to drive the transformation agenda and support the achievement of goals and objectives while anticipating and responding to legal issues, and minimizing risk.

The CLO reports to the President & CEO and leads a team of approximately 30 legal, procurement, and contract professionals. The position is based at the LCBO corporate office in Toronto and is primarily an in-person role.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will possess the following experience, knowledge, skills, and attributes:

• An experienced Chief Legal Counsel with extensive executive experience in commercial law including technology contracts; experience in public sector legislation and procurement and litigation experience are assets.
• A member of the Law Society of Ontario with an LLB; MBA or MPA is an asset.
• Experienced in advising Boards and Board Committees; Board Secretary experience is an asset.
• Strong business acumen; is accountable, proactive, results-oriented, solutions-focused, and data-driven.
• Is highly-strategic and at the same time detail-oriented.
• Serves as a strategic advisor to the business on a broad range of legal matters and provides assessment of risks without gatekeeping.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels (board, executives, team, leaders, union, frontline).
• An experienced team leader with a positive, energetic, courageous, resilient, and kind leadership style.
• Values diversity, inclusion, safety and wellness; strong code of ethics; respectful.
• Leads as a role model of LCBO competencies.

The LCBO fosters a culture of inclusion and belonging, so everyone feels valued, respected, and heard. The LCBO is an equal opportunity employer and committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Should you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the hiring process, please communicate your needs to the LHH Knightsbridge project team.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are interested in being considered for this exciting and impactful senior leadership position, please submit your cover letter and resume through LinkedIn, or forward to Chris Sawyer at [e-mail] .

About LHH Knightsbridge – www.lhhknightsbridge.com

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Legal

• Industries

  Government Administration

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