Director, Legal Services

City of Kingston; Kingston; On-site; CAD 158,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Kingston seeks a Director of Legal Services to manage a dynamic team and deliver high-quality legal services. This leadership role involves overseeing legal operations, providing strategic legal counsel, and ensuring compliance with regulations while fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years recent and progressive experience as a practicing lawyer or in a senior operations role.
• Proven leadership and strategic management experience with oversight of multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the Legal Services Team.
• Provide expert legal advice on complex municipal law matters.
• Supervise and mentor a team of staff lawyers and law clerks.

Skills

Leadership

Legal Analysis

Risk Mitigation

Strategic Planning

Education

University degree in law (LL.B or J.D.)

Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario

Job description

Job Title

Director, Legal Services

Job Number

J1224-0215

Job Code

NU153

Job Category

Legal

Location:

CITYHALLKG

Bargaining Unit

Non-Union

Job Type

Full Time

Number Of Positions

1

Hours Of Work

35 hrs/wk

Salary

$158,122.51 - $197,676.57/Year

Date Posted

June 10, 2025

Closing Date

July 13, 2025

Opening Statement

The City of Kingston is grateful to experience the traditional territories of Anishinabek (Ah-nish-nah-beg), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-o-show-nee) and Huron-Wendat (huron-wen·dat). Kingston is a smart, livable city in the heart of eastern Ontario. Its stable and diversified economy includes global corporations, innovative start-ups and all levels of government.

At the City of Kingston, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential elements of a thriving workplace. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that each individual brings to our team. As we continue to grow, we are dedicated to creating an environment where all employees feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work. The City of Kingston views diversity as its strength and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented communities.

As staff, you play a pivotal role in enhancing people's lives by delivering exceptional, customer-centered services of the highest quality. Within our highly ethical environment, you'll embrace accountability by consistently going above and beyond, actively listening to our customers, creatively addressing their needs, and maintaining unwavering respect for all individuals you serve. As a result, you'll become an integral part of our qualified and dynamic team, recognized for its compassion, excellence, integrity, inclusivity, and adaptability.

Position Summary

Reporting to the City Solicitor, the Director, Legal Services is a senior leadership position responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Legal Services team and delivering high-quality, timely and practical legal support to all departments across the municipality. This role focuses on team leadership, legal service delivery, process improvement, and cross-departmental collaboration to support the City’s legal and strategic needs.

As the operational leader of the legal department, the Director oversees staffing, workflow management, budgeting, and resource planning. The Director, Legal Services also contributes to high-level legal oversight and advises on a range of municipal legal matters. This role is responsible for supporting Council and Committee reporting, improving legal risk management and compliance processes, and ensuring effective legal service delivery aligned with corporate goals.

This position requires a seasoned legal professional with proven leadership and communication skills who can mange a dynamic legal team, and provide clear, strategic legal advice to support the City’s legislative and strategic objectives.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Operational Leadership of Legal Services

Lead the day-to-day operations of the Legal Services Team

Develop and implement operational plans, policies, and procedures to ensure high-quality legal service delivery

Ensure alignment of legal operations with the strategic goals of the City

Serve as the primary legal liaison for municipal departments seeking legal advice or support

Provide timely legal guidance to departments on operational and strategic initiatives

Coordinate legal input into cross-departmental projects and programs

Legal Practice, Documentation and File Management

Under the direction of the City Solicitor, provide expert legal advice and direction on complex, high-profile, or politically sensitive legal matters

Serve as legal counsel on files involving municipal law, planning and development, procurement, real estate, litigation, and other municipal functions

Manage and prioritize a personal caseload in addition to supervising team workflows

Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of legal documents including contracts, bylaws, agreements, and legal opinions

Ensure documents are legally sound and mitigate risk to the municipality

Team Oversight

Supervise and support a team of staff lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staff

Assign files, monitor progress, and provide mentorship and training to legal staff

Conduct performance evaluations and promote a culture of professional development and collaboration

Council and Committee Support

Prepare and present legal reports to City Council, Committees, CMT and Senior Leadership as required

Attend Council and committee meetings as required

Support the development of municipal policy from a legal perspective

Risk Management and Compliance

Identify legal risks and support risk mitigation strategies across the corporation

Ensure municipal compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, and court decisions

Assist in the development and review of internal policies and procedures from a legal standpoint

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications, Competencies

University degree in law (LL.B or J.D.) or equivalent legal qualification

Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario

A minimum of 7 years recent and progressive experience as a practicing lawyer or in a senior operations role within a law firm, corporate legal department, or public-sector legal office. Equivalent combinations of legal and operational leadership will be considered

Proven leadership and strategic management experience, ideally with oversight of multidisciplinary teams or departments

Experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and implementation of plans and policies

Experience with instructing and educating on matters of law and associated principles

Skills, Abilities, Work Demands

Experience leading operational planning and process improvements within a legal department

Demonstrated ability to provide high-level legal analysis and risk mitigation strategies

Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legal principles applicable to government operations, such as property, procurement, contracts and regulatory matters

Strong knowledge of public policies, procedures, applicable legislation and regulations, relevant industry standards, by-laws and acts (municipal, provincial and federal)

Highly developed analytical and strategic planning skills with the ability to understand municipal goals and ensure legal services are aligned with strategic and legislative priorities

Proficiency in drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex legal documents such as contracts, bylaws, legal opinions and settlement agreements

Ability to build relationships, resolve conflicts, negotiate, facilitate, and deliver information to a wide variety of audiences

Strong leadership abilities to supervise lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staff

Demonstrated ability to build a high-performing, collaborative legal team

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal matters to non-legal audiences

Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with Council, Corporate Management Team, City Staff and Community stakeholders

Required to obtain and maintain a satisfactory criminal record check

Closing Statement

Please apply to Career Opportunities at: www.cityofkingston.ca/Careers

Please inform us of any accommodations we need to make to ensure a barrier-free recruitment experience. Accommodations are available in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC)and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) at any stage in the recruitment process. We’re happy to provide more information if you email us at [e-mail]

Your resumé must demonstrate how you meet position requirements. Please upload to your profile any educational Degrees, Diplomas and/or Certificates that are relevant and required for the position. We thank all who apply, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. Information collected will be handled in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Please ensure to check any spam or junk folders for any emails coming from a City of Kingston account.

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