Director, Legal Services

CreateTO; Toronto; On-site; CAD 128,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

OMERS pension

Health and dental benefits

EFAP

Job summary

CreateTO in Toronto is seeking a lawyer who can align legal strategy with business objectives for a major city real estate portfolio. The Director, Legal Services will support senior leaders, manage risk, and lead cross-functional teams on complex leasing, development and acquisition matters.

You will provide practical guidance through the project lifecycle, supervise external counsel, and navigate regulatory challenges while promoting inclusive, sustainable outcomes for Toronto.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of broad real estate, commercial leasing, development and construction experience.
• Ability to lead cross-divisional teams to resolve legal issues.
• Exposure to public and private sector real estate interests and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead drafting and negotiation of complex real estate and leasing transactions.
• Provide strategic legal advice on lease structuring, development rights, and regulatory matters.
• Supervise external counsel on litigation, arbitrations and expropriations.
• Advise on transaction structures with public and private partners throughout the lifecycle.

Skills

Real estate

Commercial leasing

Development

Construction

Legal drafting

Negotiation

Education

Law degree

Job description

CreateTO is shaping Toronto’s future through impactful real estate solutions. A City of Toronto agency, CreateTO works collaboratively with internal stakeholders, external partners and community members to create more livable, sustainable and inclusive communities. CreateTO is here to increase the social, cultural and economic value of our city’s $27-billion real estate portfolio, ensuring positive impacts for residents and a bright future for Toronto.

We are looking for a lawyer who understands the business and strategic objectives behind a transaction, can identify and manage risk while minimizing project delays, and can provide clear, practical advice to senior leaders and project teams. If you’re passionate about contributing to the best use of one of North America’s largest and most valuable real estate portfolios, we’d love to have you on the team.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director, Legal Services supports the Associate General Counsels and Chief Legal Counsel in resolving legal issues, ensuring legal compliance and mitigating risks. The role includes:

• Supporting the legal aspects of the assigned portfolio of projects and corporate functions.
• Providing advice on legal implications related to CreateTO’s projects.
• Maintaining an awareness of legal and regulatory matters relevant to achieve CreateTO’s broad business and policy objectives.
• Advising project leads on all legal matters affecting CreateTO’s projects and business arrangements to support operational decision-making.

PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintaining a deep understanding of CreateTO’s business and industry and providing leadership in operational business decisions from a legal perspective.
• Leading the drafting and negotiating of complex real estate and leasing transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, leases, licences, easements, rights-of-way, development agreements, reciprocal rights and operating agreements, and other property-related arrangements.
• Providing strategic legal advice on lease structuring, property/asset management, development rights, environmental matters, litigation and other landlord and tenant issues.
• Advising on transaction structures involving public and private-sector partners, joint ventures, development partners and other stakeholders.
• Providing legal advice throughout the development lifecycle, from early feasibility and structuring through approvals, financing, construction, project delivery and long-term operations.
• Providing legal advice on construction and capital projects, including construction agreements (e.g. CCDC and OAA), consultant agreements, low carbon and sustainability initiatives, procurement, project delivery, insurance, contractor/consultant performance, change orders, claims, disputes, litigation and other construction related matters.
• Conducting due diligence on real estate and commercial leasing transactions, including title searches and corporate searches.
• Navigating legal and regulatory challenges to achieve CreateTO’s broad business and policy objectives.
• Providing direction and supervision to external counsel, including with respect to litigation, arbitrations, mediations and expropriations.

CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES

• An experienced lawyer with 7+ years of broad real estate, commercial leasing, development and construction experience that meets the above requirements, and the ability to lead cross-divisional teams to resolve legal issues.
• Ideally will have had exposure to public and private sector real estate interests and land use planning, as well as gained corporate governance experience and board experience.
• Aptitude for detail, with a high level of accuracy and superior legal drafting skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills are necessary to coordinate a variety of responsibilities, in an often-changing environment, to achieve stated goals and objectives.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to exercise good judgment, tact and discretion.
• Ability to work with highly confidential information with both maturity and professionalism.
• A high degree of competence in verbal and written communication.
• Ability to solve problems and take the initiative.

TOTAL COMPENSATION

The salary range for this position is $128,270 to $192,910 annually, with new hires typically expected to start between $128,270 to $160,590 commensurate with qualifications and experience.

In addition to base salary, CreateTO offers a comprehensive total compensation package including participation in the OMERS defined benefit pension plan, competitive vacation entitlement, extended health and dental benefits, life and disability insurance, and access to employee wellness support including an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP).

With a highly engaged team, CreateTO scores well above benchmarked organizations in terms of its employees’ passion, commitment, diversity and pride. As part of the organization’s Strategic Plan 2023-2027, “Inspire internal success” was named as one of five priority objectives.

CreateTO wants its team to reflect the city we represent, and we strive to provide an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, and perspective, all of which are proven to build better companies. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work and be themselves.

We provide equitable treatment and accommodation to ensure barrier-free employment in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Candidates can request accommodation related to the protected grounds at any stage of the hiring process.

Deadline: before September 07, 2026.

We do not use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants. All applications are reviewed by our hiring team.

For more information on CreateTO, please visit our website at www.createto.ca.

Please note that this is a hybrid working environment with a minimum of 3 days in-office.