City Solicitor - City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon

About the role

The City of Saskatoon is seeking an experienced, strategic legal leader to serve as City Solicitor, providing comprehensive legal services and trusted counsel to City Council, the City Manager, Administration, and civic Boards and Committees. This executive leadership role oversees the City Solicitor's Department, guides complex legal matters, and provides expertise in municipal law, litigation, legislation, bylaws, and contracts. As part of City of Saskatoon jobs and careers, this role offers a permanent full-time opportunity in administration and law within Saskatoon.

Key duties

The City Solicitor's Office provides legal services to the City of Saskatoon, City Council and its Boards, Committees and other related organizations. Your responsibilities include the following:

• Sets the overall strategic direction of the City Solicitor’s Office by establishing goals and short- and long-term objectives that are consistent with the overall strategic direction of the City.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with organizational leaders and to work cooperatively with colleagues at all levels, as well as with a wide range of internal and external contacts, agencies and members of the public.
• Organizes and directs the City’s legal activities. Supervises the provision of legal services to City Council, the Administration and civic Boards and Committees in a variety of areas including Litigation, Municipal Law, Planning and Administrative Law, Employment Law, Prosecutions, Real Estate and Construction Law.
• Attends and provides legal advice at Council meetings. Frequently called upon to give immediate answers based on accumulated knowledge and experience without the opportunity to conduct research. Attends and provides legal advice at Executive Committee meetings of Council.
• Provides legal counsel and direction in a timely manner to senior management and departmental personnel on corporate matters involving legal problems/issues. Works closely with senior management and department personnel to assist them in achieving their goals in a manner which is consistent with protecting the City’s interests from a legal standpoint.
• Manage outsourced specialised legal service providers to ensure the City’s interests are kept while managing costs.
• Proactively shares information, analysis and recommendations based on legislation, court and tribunal decisions that may affect the organization and its practices.
• Represents the organizations at various levels of court, and other formal and informal legal proceedings.
• Demonstrated political acumen and the ability to negotiate, mediate, facilitate and present information to a varied audience.
• Provides ongoing departmental leadership by using effective management techniques and performance management processes. Encourages the professional development of personnel so that employees are highly qualified, competent and provide excellent service. Is available for consultation with legal staff.
• Acts as a member of the City’s Executive Leadership Team and represents the City at a senior level.
• Develops departmental budgets and ensures that the departmental budget is implemented in accordance with the City’s budget plan.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What you'll bring

To be successful in this position, candidates must meet specific professional requirements and demonstrate key leadership competencies:

• A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.
• Membership in the Law Society of Saskatchewan.
• Ten years' progressively responsible experience at a senior level providing legal services within a multifaceted setting including extensive experience practicing municipal law.
• Demonstrated team management and leadership capabilities.
• Visioning and Strategic Thinking: Thinks long-term, stretching horizons and challenging imaginations to develop an image of how to deliver innovative and creative services that meet and exceed community expectations.
• Building Organizational Effectiveness: Sets the stage and builds the culture and standards for a high performing workplace and acts as a role model.
• Financial Leadership: Oversees the health of the corporation's finances and long term financial plans, ensuring openness and accountability.
• Team Leadership: Builds own skills in team leadership, fosters teamwork, and ensures team members and staff are engaged.
• Political Astuteness: Able to understand and operate effectively within both the political environment of the Corporation and the community.
• Foster Change & Innovation: Champions change, demonstrates a willingness and ability to initiate, sponsor and lead change initiatives through to completion.

Perks and benefits

The City of Saskatoon offers a comprehensive total rewards package that will be negotiated with the successful candidate. These benefits support the health, well-being, and financial security of employees. Furthermore, the City offers an inclusive workplace that embraces diverse backgrounds as an equity partner with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.