Director, Legislative & Property Services

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA); Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Legislative & Property Services to lead a diverse division focused on property management, legal guidance, and strategic planning. This pivotal role involves overseeing a team of 35 and ensuring the effective management of TRCA’s assets while providing legal advice to municipal partners. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in public administration and legal frameworks, demonstrating strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to environmental protection and community well-being, where your contributions will have a lasting impact.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of leadership experience in legal and public administration.
• Strong understanding of Municipal Law and Provincial Legislation.

Responsibilities

• Manage TRCA's real estate portfolio and strategic legal advice.
• Oversee procurement and contract management functions.

Skills

Leadership

Legal Expertise

Strategic Planning

Contract Management

Public Administration

Stakeholder Engagement

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

University degree in Public Administration

Member of the Law Society of Ontario

Job description

Director, Legislative & Property Services

Director, Legislative & Property Services

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Since 1957, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), as enabled through the provincial Conservation Authorities Act, has taken action to enhance our region’s natural environment and protect our land, water and communities from the impacts of flooding and increasingly extreme weather events — Ontario’s leading cause of public emergencies. As the region’s first line of defence against natural hazards, TRCA maintains vital infrastructure and provides programs and services that promote public health and safety, protecting people and property. TRCA mobilizes a science-based approach to provide sound policy advice, leveraging its position as a not-for-profit operating in the broader public sector to achieve collective impacts within communities and across all levels of government.

TRCA’s commitment to innovation and excellence has earned it recognition as one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers, reflecting the organization’s dedication to fostering a workplace that empowers its team to deliver positive impact.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Director, Legislative & Property Services is a pivotal role within TRCA, offering strategic advice, guidance, and leadership to a diverse division encompassing Property and Asset Management, Legal and Risk Management, Procurement, and the Clerk’s Office. This role oversees a team of 35 people, ensuring the seamless operation and strategic advancement of these critical functions. This role provides leadership, expert advice and guidance within TRCA as well as to municipalities throughout TRCA’s watershed jurisdiction regarding a mix of land and infrastructure assets including over 15,000 ha of TRCA owned and managed lands.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Property and Asset Management

• Manage TRCA’s real estate portfolio, including the strategic disposition and securement of land, rentals, and leases of TRCA-owned and managed lands and built assets.
• Work to continuously improve the management of the portfolio through optimization and rationalization efforts, where appropriate, in line with TRCA Strategic Plans and objectives and best asset management planning practices.
• Develop multi-year strategic plans, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for property and asset management.

Legal and Risk Management

• Oversee and provide strategic legal advice to all divisions within TRCA.
• Direct and advise on legal risks and opportunities related to TRCA’s strategies and specific projects ensuring the legal execution of operational initiatives.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight of civil litigation, court proceedings, property transactions, and corporate matters involving internal and external counsel and staff and partner representatives.
• Negotiate complex agreements, settlements, and contracts in collaboration with team members to ensure compliance with legislation and protect TRCA interests.

Procurement and Contract Management

• Develop multi-year strategic plans, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for procurement and contract management.
• Direct the procurement function, ensuring the development, approval, implementation and administration of transparent and legislative compliance, procedures and control systems.
• Establish the strategic direction and provide oversight on the development of TRCA’s strategic sourcing procurement ensuring legislatively compliant sourcing and contract management.
• Direct the contract management function, inclusive of large scale, multi-year capital works and infrastructure projects and smaller projects tied to property assets.

Corporate Policy Management and Governance

• Provide administrative oversight to the Clerk’s Office on matters related to internal governance, Board of Directors, and Committees of the Board of Directors.
• Oversee TRCA’s policy framework and Policy Committee process for policies to ensure compliance with legislation, TRCA’s Administrative By-Law and alignment with best practices.
• Keep abreast of legislation that may impact TRCA and implement required policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Talent Management and Resource Planning

• Provide direction to four direct reports.
• Develop a talent pool, mentor staff, and drive accountability.
• Ensure team members meet performance expectations and strategic priorities.
• Provide training, support workplace equity, and plan for succession.
• Align resources to strategic plans and ensure adequate staffing.
• Oversee staff to drive the advancement of TRCA and partners, ensuring alignment with TRCA’s overarching Board-endorsed Strategic Plan.

Strategic Planning

• Create multi-year strategic long and short-term plans, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures to drive the advancement of TRCA and its partners, ensuring alignment with TRCA’s overarching strategic plan.
• Oversee and direct the execution of divisional and organization-wide strategic and operational plans, ensuring their development, implementation, and distribution.
• Evaluate and manage risks, including those related to staff, visitors, assets, finances, and TRCA’s image, using specialized judgment, best information and tactical thinking.
• Lead divisional budgeting efforts and control divisional staffing levels, organizational structure, and project discipline structures.
• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to support TRCA standardization of procedural specifications, ensuring compliance with external technical standards.

Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations

• Foster relationships with government, industry, and community groups to position TRCA as a trusted and credible organization.
• Ensure compliance with standards and regulations, and influence policies that impact TRCA.
• Represent TRCA on external committees, providing insights and recommendations.
• Drive organizational excellence and adaptability to legislative changes and industry trends.
• Cultivate long-term relationships and influence policies and regulations that govern the industry.
• Lead divisional financial planning and prepare annual budgets.
• Assess and guide business unit budgets, mitigate variances, and ensure alignment with business plans.
• Complete forecasts, status reports, and cost analyses.
• Approve expenditures and negotiate contracts within authority levels.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Successful completion of a University degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Business Administration, Law (L.L.B) or Juris Doctorate degree (JD) from a recognized and accredited university.
• Current member of the Law Society of Ontario in good standing.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive legal and public administration leadership experience including multi-faceted business units.
• 7+ years in leadership roles, primarily in the public sector, including board and/or council experience.
• Experience leading and managing staff and external counsel on real estate and development matters and provide strategic legal advice.
• Experience presenting effectively at the Board of Directors and/or Council level.
• Experience in real estate services related to property management and legal requirements.
• Sound understanding of contract law for contract management and strategic sourcing.
• Thorough knowledge of Municipal Law, Provincial Legislation, and Federal law affecting TRCA including the Conservation Authorities Act.
• Expertise in all legislation governing and affecting TRCA activities and related regulations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, research and decision-making skills coupled with exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Team player that is able to communicate and collaborate closely with Senior Leadership Team and Senior Management Team members to advance corporate initiatives.
• Ability to present to large audiences and interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate, mediate, facilitate, and present information to varied audiences.
• Ability to interact effectively with elected and appointed officials, government agencies, public and private partners, community leaders, and the general public.
• Exceptional organizational, facilitation, and interpersonal skills coupled with the ability to multi-task effectively while contending with conflicting demands and timelines.
• Well-developed ability to interpret, anticipate & convey highly complex, technical and abstract information.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are interested in being considered for this meaningful opportunity with the TRCA, please submit your expression of interest including a cover letter and current resume to Lindsay Millard, [e-mail]. Should you have any questions, please contact a member of the Project Team:

About LHH Knightsbridge – www.lhhknightsbridge.com

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management and Legal

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