Director Corporate Services

Gowling WLG International; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% employer-paid health, dental, and

lifestyle spending allowance

Vacation days and hybrid work

Parental leave top-up

Group Retirement Savings Plan

Disability and life insurance

Employee & Family Assistance Program

Job summary

Gowling WLG International seeks a senior leader to oversee Corporate Services across Canada, driving strategy, standardization, and service delivery for professionals and clients nationwide.

You will lead national teams, harmonize processes, and champion enabling technologies while partnering with IT and Finance to improve performance and client experience. This is a high-impact, executive role with broad scope and collaboration across offices.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years of work experience in corporate law or corporate services, including at least 8 years in progressive leadership roles.
• Strong understanding of corporate services processes and regulatory requirements across Canadian jurisdictions.
• Experience leading national teams, process harmonization, and change initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Directs the efforts of the national Corporate Services team, including the development and implementation of strategies aligned with the Firm’s business goals to enhance corporate services delivery in all provinces in which the Firm operates.
• Directs and enables development of an integrated team culture, vision and mission that drives effective interoffice collaboration, resource allocation and work sharing.
• Ensures consistent application of standardized workflows, procedures, and precedents across all jurisdictions which the Firm operates, and subject to local requirements.
• Provides senior oversight and strategic guidance on the selection, configuration and ongoing operation of corporate services technology platforms.
• Partners with IT, Innovation, Knowledge & Practice Support, Finance, and Corporate leadership on technology, automation, precedents, and process improvement initiatives.
• Responsible for ensuring effective and consistent onboarding, training, and continuous development programs for Corporate Services team members across all offices.
• In collaboration with corporate services managers, monitors service delivery and identifies and implements improvements to ensure consistent client service experiences across offices.
• Manages relationships with external agents, government bodies, and service providers.
• In collaboration with Knowledge & Practice Support, coordinates implementation of legislative and regulatory changes impacting corporate services.
• Prepares reports and presentations and participates in strategic projects.
• Fosters a collaborative and high-performing team culture.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Project management

Bilingual FR/EN

Education

University or College degree in a related discipline; Law Clerk or Paralegal diploma is an asset.

Tools

Athennian

Minutebox

ALF

Enact

Job description

Salary Range: $160,000.00 To $200,000.00 Annually

ABOUT GOWLING WLG

At Gowling WLG, our commitment to excellence begins with our people. As an international law firm with offices in Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, we’re proud to recruit and retain top talent who bring energy, insight, and a singular focus on delivering exceptional experiences – for our clients and each other.

We’re intentional about building a workplace that’s both high-performing and supportive, ensuring that everyone is empowered to do their best work and reach their full potential. Our culture is grounded in our shared values: Raise the Bar, Embrace Differences, and Thrive Together. These values shape how we collaborate, lead, and succeed – across teams, time zones, and career paths.

Whether you’re pursuing a role in law or business services, explore what’s possible and make your mark with Gowling WLG.

PROFILE

The Director, Corporate Services is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the delivery of corporate services across all Gowling WLG offices nationally. This role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure consistent, high‑quality, and efficient support for the Firm’s Corporate professionals and clients. You will lead national teams, drive process standardization, oversee enabling technologies, and partner with key stakeholders to continuously improve service delivery, client experience, and operational performance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directs the efforts of the national Corporate Services team, including the development and implementation of strategies aligned with the Firm’s business goals to enhance corporate services delivery in all provinces in which the Firm operates.
• Directs and enables development of an integrated team culture, vision and mission that drives effective interoffice collaboration, resource allocation and work sharing.
• Ensures consistent application of standardized workflows, procedures, and precedents across all jurisdictions which the Firm operates, and subject to local requirements.
• Provides senior oversight and strategic guidance on the selection, configuration and ongoing operation of corporate services technology platforms.
• Partners with IT, Innovation, Knowledge & Practice Support, Finance, and Corporate leadership on technology, automation, precedents, and process improvement initiatives.
• Responsible for ensuring effective and consistent onboarding, training, and continuous development programs for Corporate Services team members across all offices.
• In collaboration with corporate services managers, monitors service delivery and identifies and implements improvements to ensure consistent client service experiences across offices.
• Manages relationships with external agents, government bodies, and service providers.
• In collaboration with Knowledge & Practice Support, coordinates implementation of legislative and regulatory changes impacting corporate services.
• Prepares reports and presentations and participates in strategic projects.
• Fosters a collaborative and high-performing team culture.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University or College degree in a related discipline; Law Clerk or Paralegal diploma is an asset.
• Minimum of 12 years of work experience in corporate law or corporate services, including at least 8 years in progressive leadership roles.
• Strong understanding of corporate services processes and regulatory requirements across Canadian jurisdictions.
• Experience leading national teams, process harmonization, and change initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into operational execution.
• Strong technology aptitude: experience with entity management systems (e.g., Athennian, Minutebox, ALF, Enact) is an asset.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management abilities.
• Client‑focused mindset with a collaborative leadership style.
• Bilingualism (French/English) is an asset.

BENEFITS/PERKS

Gowling WLG’s total rewards program is designed to foster a culture where high performance and personal well-being go hand-in-hand. We support your career and life with:

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and mental health coverage, plus an annual lifestyle spending allowance
• Benefits coverage for Firm members and their dependents from day one!
• 20+ vacation days and hybrid work flexibility
• Parental leave top-up for 26 weeks (after 12 months of full-time employment)
• Group Retirement Savings Plan with employer match
• Financial protection through short & long-term disability, life, accident & critical illness insurance
• Employee & Family Assistance Program, guided CBT, and an internal network of 120+ trained Mental Health First Aid responders
• Recognition awards, appreciation events, and a supportive, collaborative work culture
• Perks and preferred pricing programs, referral bonuses and more
  

Gowling WLG is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are in need of accommodation or support at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know.

This position is currently vacant and is open to both internal and external candidates. Gowling WLG is recruiting for this role to support ongoing firm needs and team operations.

This employer may use tools within our applicant tracking system that include artificial intelligence–supported features, such as automated candidate matching. These tools do not make hiring decisions; all screening, assessments, and selections are reviewed and completed by human recruiters and hiring managers.

Gowling WLG is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are in need of accommodation or support at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know.

The target base compensation for this role is $160,000 to $200,000 plus eligibility for bonus and other total rewards programs. For candidates with extensive and directly relevant experience, compensation may exceed the posted range.