Executive Director

Legal Aid Ontario; Windsor; On-site; CAD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job description

Legal Assistance of Windsor (LAW) is seeking a permanent, full-time Executive Director with a start date on or after August 1st, 2024.

About LAW

LAW is an interdisciplinary clinic combining legal and social work professions to meet the multifaceted needs of the low-income community in Windsor and Essex County. LAW is a joint service of the Faculty of Law at the University of Windsor and Legal Aid Ontario. We strive to be an inclusive organization committed to fostering diversity in every aspect of our work, including hiring.

About the Position

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and oversees all operations of the legal and social work clinic. In summary, the Executive Director will provide dynamic and strategic leadership to LAW by implementing planning processes, setting organizational goals, identifying required resources, and assessing community needs. They strive to build positive relationships with the clinic teams, law faculty, community partners, the Board of Directors, and Legal Aid Ontario. The role involves supervising and directing all staff to ensure effective service delivery, coordinating hiring, training, performance evaluation, and human resource policies.

The Executive Director evaluates potential opportunities and risks related to the clinic’s work and finances, providing progress reports to the Board of Directors. They ensure appropriate student supervision, coordination, orientation, and support systems. Operational management duties include overseeing clinic programs, policies, funding applications, financial reporting, and representing the clinic to the community and media.

The position requires community advocacy at all levels of government, preparing funding applications, directing program implementation per guidelines, developing policies/procedures, and evaluating their effectiveness. Community service responsibilities involve developing policy positions for legal/social reform, providing feedback to community groups, directing outreach/public legal education initiatives, and establishing media contacts to communicate issues.

Requirements

1. The successful candidate will be a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario or the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
2. An LL.B, J.D. or B.S.W. with a minimum of five (5) years of experience working with high-needs/vulnerable populations and five (5) years of direct experience working in a Social Service Agency, or Legal service clinic setting and/or equivalent.
3. Proven experience in managing employees, effectively guiding teams, and managing/supervising volunteers or students.
4. Experience overseeing office operations, especially those relating to financial affairs. Experience in both administrative law and social benefits law is a significant asset.
5. Excellent organizational skills.
6. Experience teaching at a university level with proven teaching ability is an asset.
7. A collaborative approach to social and legal work, strong interpersonal skills, and an ability to integrate into a multi-disciplinary practice are necessary.
8. An awareness of trauma-informed practice and an understanding of the principles of intersectionality and anti-oppression are essential.
9. Ability to work in high-needs and stressful situations and meet deadlines in a dynamic and changing environment. An ability to learn and adapt quickly is necessary.
10. A working literacy of computers and software, including programs like Microsoft Office and Legal Aid Ontario.
11. Annual salary between $120,000 and $133,000, commensurate with experience.
12. Employer-funded RRSP contribution.
13. Healthcare benefits program after a 3-month probationary period.
14. Vacation entitlements start at 3 weeks per year and increase with seniority.

Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted and, at that time, will be provided with a detailed job description. Interested candidates must apply in writing (including a cover letter and resume) by July 8th, 2024 4:30 pm to:
Vivian Wang, Service Coordinator
Legal Assistance of Windsor
2-443 Ouellette, Windsor, Ontario N9A 4J2
E-mail: [e-mail]