Program Director

Toronto Metropolitan University; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 108,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

Toronto Metropolitan University seeks a Program Director for the Law Practice Program (LPP) to shape the future of legal education and lawyer licensing in Ontario. You will lead strategic development, implement curriculum redesigns, and oversee technology integrations to keep the program at the forefront of professional training.

Reporting to the Executive Director, you will manage budgeting, vendor governance, and partnerships with the Law Society of Ontario and legal tech providers to enhance

Qualifications

• Education: LL.B., J.D., or equivalent law degree.
• 8+ years of progressive leadership in legal education, legal operations, or legal innovation.
• Familiarity with the Law Society of Ontario's licensing requirements, competency frameworks, and regulatory standards.
• Experience supervising staff in a unionized environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic operations for the Legal Technology, AI and Data Strategy portfolio, aligning with the LPP roadmap.
• Designs and delivers online course content and ensures effective integration of legal technology into curriculum.
• Oversee curriculum development, cyclical audits and alignment with LSO competencies.
• Negotiate high-value service contracts and manage SLAs with external consultants and vendors.

Skills

Strategic Operations

Curriculum Direction

Technology & AI Acumen

Resource & Stakeholder Management

Education

LL.B., J.D., or equivalent law degree

Job description

About Toronto Metropolitan

For more than 75 years, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) has been shaping the next generation of leaders through its uniquely innovative, entrepreneurial and career-focused approach to higher education. Driven by bold leadership, cutting-edge research and a deep commitment to academic excellence, TMU collaborates with students, faculties, staff and partners to push boundaries, reimagine solutions and create meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world.

About Toronto Metropolitan

For more than 75 years, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) has been shaping the next generation of leaders through its uniquely innovative, entrepreneurial and career-focused approach to higher education. Driven by bold leadership, cutting-edge research and a deep commitment to academic excellence, TMU collaborates with students, faculties, staff and partners to push boundaries, reimagine solutions and create meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world.

For a more in-depth understanding of our vision, core values and ongoing work, please see our academic plan.
TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and in every unit of the university. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQ+ people. Preference will be given to candidates with lived experiences as people from equity deserving groups, as well as experience working with these communities with which the University works every day. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and we welcome newcomers and immigrants to Canada.
In April 2022, the university announced its new name of Toronto Metropolitan University. Learn more about our next chapter.

The Team - Who we are and what we do

The Law Practice Program (LPP) is an intensive eight-month professional training program designed to bridge the gap between legal education and practice through a blend of simulation and real-world experience. The first four months utilize a pioneering "Virtual Law Firm" model, where candidates manage files in a controlled environment to develop core competencies across various legal fields. This is followed by a four-month work placement in a professional setting, providing direct industry exposure. Throughout the program, candidates are supported by a vast network of legal experts who serve as mentors and advisors, ensuring the curriculum remains relevant to current professional standards.
The LPP evaluates candidates through a model of accumulated performance based on live assessments, professional deliverables, and ongoing mentor feedback. This comprehensive approach tests both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to ensure graduates are fully prepared for the demands of the legal profession. The program’s effectiveness is reflected in its outcomes, with the majority of participants securing law or law-related employment within one year of becoming licensed.

The Opportunity

Are you a visionary legal technology leader ready to shape the future of legal education and lawyer licensing? The Law Practice Program (LPP) is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking senior professional to join our team. As the Program Director you will lead strategic development, implementation and operational management of the program’s curriculum including leveraging legal technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and data strategy, ensuring the program remains a nationally recognized leader in professional training for the licensing of lawyers in Ontario.
You will be responsible for the portfolio’s pedagogical framework, curriculum quality, data accountability systems, technology integrations, vendor governance, and financial and managerial functions. Additional responsibilities include building and maintaining partnerships with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO), legal technology providers, and the broader legal community to advance program relevance and candidate success.

Additional Key Leadership Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Program Delivery

• Leads the multi-year strategic plan for the Legal Technology, AI and Data Strategy portfolio, in collaboration with the Executive Director and in alignment with the LPP's overall strategic roadmap, architecting a technology-integrated experiential program model that incorporates generative AI, practice management automation, and data-driven litigation tools to ensure candidates are proficient in all areas of modern professional legal practice.
• Designs, delivers and oversees the online course content and ensures effective integration of legal technology into online curriculum content and candidate assessments.

Program Innovation and Curriculum Development

• Designs, implements, and continuously refines the pedagogical framework for the 8-month experiential learning program and conducts cyclical curriculum audits to ensure alignment with LSO competencies.
• Sources, evaluates, and manages external consultants and subject matter experts to develop specialized training modules across the Legal Technology Stack, including AI, eDiscovery, CLM, and Practice Management.

Data Strategy and Program Accountability

• Defines candidate success metrics and oversees the design of real-time performance dashboards.
• Leads cyclical operational and compliance reviews.

Operations and Vendor Governance

• Leads the negotiation of high-value service contracts and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with Subject Matter Experts and internal and external service providers.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director sets and governs the multi-million dollar budget for the Legal Technology and enrollment portfolios.

Student Success and Risk Management

• Develops and implements the high-level risk assessment framework to address technical and ethical vulnerabilities within the program, and collaborates with the Work Experience and Employer Relations leadership to develop and implement the strategic framework to support work experience placements.

HR Management

• Hires, trains, manages and supervises staff, assigns and prioritises tasks, establishes goals, sets expectations and evaluates performance.

To learn more about this role and the impact you can make, please reach out to Shellee Huie, Talent Acquisition Specialist .

Qualifications

To help us learn more about you, please provide a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the following required qualifications:

Critical & Distinct Qualifications

• Education: LL.B., J.D., or equivalent law degree. (A graduate degree in Education or legal tech/AI certifications are strong assets).
• Experience: 8+ years of progressive leadership in legal education, legal operations, or legal innovation.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with the Law Society of Ontario's licensing requirements, competency frameworks, and regulatory standards.
• Labor Relations: Experience supervising staff in a unionized environment.

Executive Leadership & Core Competencies

• Strategic Operations: Translates high-level vision into actionable work plans, designing complex program infrastructure and data-driven accountability frameworks.
• Curriculum Direction: Leads experiential learning, pedagogy, and curriculum development initiatives grounded in adult learning principles for legal professionals.
• Technology & AI Acumen: Directs the integration of legal technology platforms, generative AI/LLMs, practice management systems, and data privacy frameworks within legal education.
• Resource & Stakeholder Management: Oversees high-value outsourced consultants, subject matter experts, and technical vendors to guarantee deliverables meet organizational parameters.

Leadership Competencies

Leaders at TMU are required to demonstrate the following Leadership Competencies:

• Acts with Integrity: Demonstrates behaviors aligned with high ethical standards and personal integrity and acts in accordance with TMU values.
• Builds Relationships of Trust & Collaboration: Actively builds a culture of trust and fosters meaningful relationships.
• Leads Inclusively: Creates an inclusive environment where everyone is respected, recognized, empowered to achieve their potential, and valued for their differences.
• Demonstrates Organizational Acumen: Understands and respectfully navigates complex internal and external environments using sound judgment, diplomacy, and tact.
• Drives Vision & Results: Creates and implements a vision grounded in sound decision-making to achieve desired outcomes.

Additional Information (MAC)

Position Number(s) 20005752Reports To Executive DirectorDepartment Law Practice Program (LPP)Employee Group MACVacancy Type Term Work Location HybridStart Date ASAPEnd Date June 30, 2028Hours of Work 36.25Grade D62Salary Scale $108,886 - $173,934Hiring Salary Range Up to $155,551TA Specialist Shellee Huie Posting Date September 9, 2026Application Close Date September 28, 2026

• Equivalent experience or a combination of equivalent experience and education may be accepted in place of education.
• As part of the selection process, candidates may be required to complete an occupational assessment.
• Applications will only be accepted online through Toronto Metropolitan University's career site.
• We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please submit your request through the AskHR webform. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.