DIRECTOR COURT & TRIBUNAL OPERATIONS

City of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government authority in Ontario is seeking a leader for Court and Tribunal Services. The role focuses on strategic transformation, operational oversight, and budget management. Candidates should have extensive experience in judicial administration, financial oversight, and team leadership within complex environments. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential for effective stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding and experience in justice administration and court operations.
• Extensive experience in strategic planning and financial oversight.
• Leadership skills in managing large teams across multiple locations.
• Experience in budget management and financial forecasting.
• Knowledge of labour relations in a unionized environment.
• Proven ability to execute business transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational policies and programs to drive performance.
• Manage daily court support and tribunal administration operations.
• Develop and oversee the section’s annual budget.
• Administer collective agreements and provide HR guidance.
• Monitor staff effectiveness and ensure quality assurance in services.
• Engage with stakeholders for effective governance.

Skills

Justice administration

Strategic planning

Financial oversight

Team leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Data-driven decision-making

Communication skills

Job description

Job Summary

To direct the operations within the Division responsible for customer service, court support and business support for the Provincial Offences court system as well as the City tribunals within the Division's portfolio including, but not limited to, the Toronto Licensing Tribunal, the Administrative Penalty Tribunal and the Toronto Local Appeal Body. Reporting directly to the ED, this role offers an exciting opportunity to lead strategic transformation, drive business excellence, and shape the way we deliver Court and Tribunal Services to the public and our partners.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Policy Development

• Lead the development, design, and implementation of operational policies and programs that drive long-term improvements in business performance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across the Division through strategic analysis and the application of sound management practices.
• Execute the strategic direction set by the Executive Director, translating vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Develop strategic and operational plans for service lines, ensuring alignment with divisional goals and Council expectations.

• Operational Oversight & Team Management

• Direct all activities within the section through subordinate management staff, delegating responsibilities effectively.
• Lead and motivate a diverse workforce, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning with a commitment to ongoing employee engagement
• Ensure high standards of work quality, organizational performance, and effective teamwork.
• Oversee daily operations across service lines, including court support, tribunal administration, and business support.

• Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Develop, recommend, and manage the section’s annual budget, ensuring expenditures remain within approved limits.
• Conduct short- and long-term financial planning and caseload forecasting to support budget development.
• Establish financial management systems that align with Council direction and divisional priorities.

• Labour Relations & Human Resources

• Administer collective agreements and consult with Corporate Employee Relations on employee matters.
• Provide guidance on corporate and divisional policies, legislative compliance, and dispute resolution.
• Participate in grievance procedures, arbitration, and co-lead labour disruption planning.
• Support the collective bargaining process by advising on service and financial impacts of proposed changes.

• Performance Management & Quality Assurance

• Develop and monitor performance metrics in collaboration with the Director, Administration & Support Services.
• Ensure divisional policies and procedures comply with statutory requirements (e.g., Provincial Offences Act, Criminal Code).
• Monitor staff effectiveness and case management quality, setting performance targets and efficiency metrics.
• Ensure service line staff are properly trained and equipped to meet operational demands.
• Ensure all strategic planning goals and activities are achieved for courts and tribunals
• Implement change management strategies to enhance divisional performance and adaptability.
• Encourage innovation, professional accountability, and intellectual growth across teams.
• Participate in organizational change initiatives to foster a high-performance culture.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Governance

• Represent the Division at Council and Committee meetings, supporting the Executive Director.
• Liaise with internal divisions, the Municipal Court Managers Association, provincial ministries, legal services, judiciary, and tribunal partners to ensure effective governance and administration.
• Provide senior-level policy advice on business improvement/transformation strategies, financial impacts, and implementation of new initiatives.

• Safety, Risk, and Crisis Management

• Provide guidance on handling contentious client issues and coordinate with Corporate Security to ensure safe courtroom and tribunal environments.
• Oversee resolution of adversarial or crisis incidents in alignment with divisional protocols.

Key Qualifications

To succeed in this role, you bring:

• Strong understanding of and extensive experience in justice administration. Specific experience in court administration and tribunal operations is required
• Extensive experience in strategic planning, financial oversight, and business transformation within a complex unionized environment and multifaceted organization.
• Extensive experience and leadership overseeing large teams, delegating responsibilities, and fostering a high-performance culture across numerous locations
• Considerable experience in budget management, financial forecasting, and risk management, with the ability to oversee large-scale financial operations.
• In-depth knowledge of labour relations, workforce planning, and collective agreement administration within a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to employee engagement, talent management and succession planning.
• Proven ability to lead data-driven decision-making, performance measurement, and predictive analytics initiatives.
• Experience developing and implementing transformation initiatives, and business process improvements.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging with Councillors, government agencies, and community partners.
• Strong understanding of compliance frameworks, including corporate policies, financial regulations, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare Council reports, policy documents, and executive briefings.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity .