Executive Director of Legal and Corporate Services

Perth County; Stratford; On-site; CAD 152,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading municipality in Ontario is seeking an Executive Director of Legal and Corporate Services to oversee various statutory responsibilities and provide legal counsel. The role involves managing a large staff, developing strategic partnerships, and ensuring effective municipal services. Candidates should have significant experience in senior management, legal expertise, and strong leadership skills.

Benefits

Health and dental benefit coverage

OMERS Pension plan

Flexible work arrangements

Career development and training

Employee and family assistance program

Tuition assistance program

Qualifications

• Minimum of eight years relevant experience at Senior Management level.
• Five years experience working with elected officials.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal advice and support for corporate contracts.
• Leads budget planning activities for managers and departments.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

Post-secondary degree in public or business administration

University Degree in Law (LL. B or J.D.)

Job description

Position:Executive Director of Legal and Corporate ServicesStart Date:As soon as possibleEmployment Status:Full-timeReporting To:Chief Administrative OfficerUnion Affiliation:Non-unionPosting Date:May 15, 2025Closing Date:June 6, 2025 at 4:30pmPosition Summary:The Executive Director of Legal and Corporate Services is responsible for the execution of various statutory responsibilities in accordance with provincial legislation and acts as corporate legal counsel, providing the County (Council and Administration) with legal advice. The Executive Director is a hands-on manager who provides leadership, vision and general oversight to a large staff complement, overseeing Legislative Services, Finance, Court Services, Office of the Prosecutor, Archives and Technology Services. The Executive Director works closely with all County divisions, Council, and community, which includes various stakeholders and other levels of government, while developing strategic partnerships through relationship building while ensuring the delivery of efficient and effective municipal services.

Primary Responsibilities: Management and Leadership

• Key member of the senior leadership team, providing direction on inter-divisional/corporate planning and strategic initiatives; provides advice/opinion/counsel to CAO in corporate decision-making and on sensitive/controversial issues; leads and/or participates on corporate project teams; member of the emergency operations control group
• Provides leadership, coordinates, and directs departmental managers in Legislative Services, Finance, Archives, Office of the Prosecutor and Technology Servicesin the preparation of annual strategic priorities, work plans, budgets (operating and capital), major policies and service level standards for the departments
• Establishes performance goals for subordinates that align with the County’s priorities and Strategic Plan, ensuring all divisions achieve legislative compliance
• Direct and advise the CAO of key issues involving the Corporate Services Division, as well as the organization as a whole
• The Executive Directors shall perform the duties of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) during the absence of the CAO or when called upon through a formal rotation as determined by the CAO
• Assume Deputy Clerk responsibilities as required to maintain operations and Council functions
  
  

Technical

• Provides legal advice and support for corporate contracts and legal opinions as required
• Develops work methods, procedures and standards for all Divisions, including reporting to Council and Committees where necessary
• Coordinates the activities and responsibilities for receiving legal appeals, insurance claims, etc, as required under various municipal, provincial and federal legislation, scheduling of hearings and ensuring the necessary appropriate deadlines are met
• Confers, counsels and advises internal divisions/departments, elected officials, on special studies, corporate initiatives and other legislative matters as required; monitors and follows up on complaints received, taking corrective action where necessary
• Provides contract administration of numerous key corporate service agreements
• Implements quality assurance programs to maintain on time, courteous and standard delivery of services to internal customers, municipal partners and the public
• Commissioner of Oaths as required
• Designated as the County’s Alternate CEMC
  
  

Financial

• Leads budget planning activities for managers and departments within the Division
• Actively monitors performance and reporting of the Departments against business plans/budgets, performance evaluation and initiates improvements to respond as required
  
  

Additional Supervisory Responsibilities

• Performs other assigned functions/duties as required
• Leaders and Supervisors are responsible under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of workers. This includes ensuring the Occupational Health and Safety Act and County of Perth policies and procedures are adhered to. Leaders and Supervisors are accountable for providing job-specific training, including awareness of job hazards and instructions on methods of control and for monitoring workers for compliance
  
  

Qualifications: Education

• Post-secondary degree in public or business administration, political science or acceptable equivalent
• CMO designation preferred
• Successful completion of a University Degree in Law (LL. B or J.D.)
• Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, ideally with demonstrated expertise in relevant municipalities or like organizations
  
  

Experience

• Minimum of eight (8) years relevant experience working at the Senior Management level, along with a minimum of five years of significant supervisory experience, both for staff and program/service delivery
• Five (5) years experience working with elected officials, presenting reports, conducting research and making recommendations on programs/services
  
  

Required Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of municipal government administration, statutes, by-laws, and operations, ability to identify key organizational issues and develop solutions
• Working knowledge of municipal finance, public sector accounting and methods of public reporting
• Working knowledge of Provincial Offences Act and court administration
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, organizational and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management, Council and staff
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills, managing staff effectively
• High level of political acuity, interpersonal, communication and customer relations skills
• Ability to prioritize workload, meet deadlines, be detail oriented and accurate
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
  
  

Shift:Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (35 hours per week)

Salary Range:$152,243.00 – $178,123.40 (based on Perth County’s 2025 salary grid). This position is eligible to participate in the County’s Pay for Performance compensation structure.

Our Benefits:

• Health and dental benefit coverage
• OMERS Pension plan
• Flexible work arrangements
• Career development and training
• Employee and family assistance program
• Tuition assistance program
  
  

Those interested may submit their application online at www.perthcounty.ca/employment by June 6, 2025 at 4:30 pm. Interviews may commence as qualified applications are received.

Interviews may be done virtually.

We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Personal information is collected under MFIPPA and is used to determine eligibility for potential employment. The County of Perth is an equal opportunity employer. Accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

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