Director, Legal Services & City Solicitor
Position Summary
Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Director, Legal Services & City Solicitor, provides vision, leadership, and strategic direction and will ensure the City's governance and operational decisions and actions are informed by and compliant with the law. As leader of the Legal Services department, this position oversees the development and implementation of legal strategies and ensures corporate contractual compliance with applicable legislative requirements and City of Kingston by-laws and policies.
This position provides advice to Council and staff and evaluates legal matters and risks that could affect the municipality. The Director ensures proper representation of the municipality before Courts and Tribunals regarding legal issues and liaises with outside counsel as required for litigation matters.
The Director is responsible for integrating strategic planning, operational activities, and the interests and needs of stakeholders, while ensuring fair, ethical, and responsible decision making, and appropriate management of resources.
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide legal advice and associated services to City Council, the Corporation of the City of Kingston, CMT and senior management as well as agencies, boards, municipal corporations and commissions.
Oversee files administered by outside legal services as client. representative.
Represent the City of Kingston in legal matters before Courts and Tribunals as well as to the public through communications
Oversee the talent and financial resources for the department to ensure they are being used effectively, including:
Preparation and oversight of budgets and related programs
Management of direct reports by monitoring progress toward goals with sustainable results, developing successors, and resolving problems in alignment with the organization's vision and strategic plans
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications, Competencies
University degree in law (LL.B or J.D.) or related program
7-10 years recent and progressively responsible municipal law experience
5 years experience with preparations and presentations of complex legal matters brought before courts and tribunals (including Courts of Justice, Court of Appeal, LPAT, OHRC)
Experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and implementation of plans and policies
Experience with instructing and educating on matters of law and associated principles
Experience leading a team of professionals
Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
Skills, Abilities, Work Demands
Recognized organizational leadership, project management and creative problem solving skills
Ability to act as change agent, championing corporate initiatives
Ability to work in a politically sensitive environment while demonstrating tact and diplomacy
Highly developed analytical and business planning skills with a proven track record for long term visioning, planning, and budgeting
Strong knowledge of municipal policies, procedures, applicable legislation and regulations, relevant industry standards, by-laws and acts (municipal, provincial and federal)
Ability to build relationships, resolve conflicts, negotiate, facilitate, and deliver information to a wide variety of audiences
Ability to balance objectives with current organizational needs
Proficient skills in MS Office
Ability to build trust and credibility in a politically sensitive role with competing demands and priorities
Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence others
Ability to coach, motivate and develop employees
Required to obtain and maintain a satisfactory criminal record check