As a publicly funded, non-profit organization, Legal Aid Alberta provides affordable legal services in family law, domestic violence, child welfare, immigration, and youth and adult criminal defense. We are Alberta-wide, with 300 staff and 1,200 private practice lawyers helping people overcome their legal challenges in more than 75 communities across the province.
Who You Are
Working at Legal Aid Alberta means you care about people and empathize with their situation and are looking to make an impact in lives of thousands of Albertans by supporting the board members and the chair. You are an expert on best practice and governance processes and are looking to participate in the analysis of Board policies and the organization’s strategic plan. You are ready to take a role to direct all activities associated with the Board Services area. Board Services provides support to Board Members and Board Committees in the administration and management of all Board activities and related projects. You are a strategic thinker, able to provide sound advice and thrive in a fast-paced work environment. You have strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as enjoy learning new things and can adapt to change quickly. You care deeply about the success of our team and have solid understanding of our organization’s mission and values.
Job Description
Reporting to the CEO and the Chair of the Board, some of the key responsibilities include:
Provides leadership and expertise with respect to board oversight and governance processes.
Advises the Chair and Board Members on meeting conduct, rules of order, potential conflict(s) of interest and conduct pursuant to the governance structure.
Responsible for Board Manual and board policy development, maintenance, updates and reviews.
Participates in the discussion and analysis of Board policies. Researches, identifies risk, and provides input and advice to the Chair and Board Members as appropriate.
Participates in the strategic planning and reporting process; develops Governance and Board Services work plans and tracks/reports on outcomes.
Directs the activities of support staff and delegates work as appropriate. Manages other administrative responsibilities as required.
Prepares detailed work plans, reports, discussion papers, briefing notes, presentations and other materials as requested by LAA Executive and the Board Members.
Develops and maintains effective working relations with internal and external individuals and groups as determined by the CEO and the Board of Directors.
Keeps current on best governance practices, legislation (e.g., FOIP, PITA, labour standards, privacy legislation, case law, etc) as they pertain to governance.
Ensures a comprehensive orientation is provided to the Board Members new to their role (e.g., governance, strategic direction, stakeholder relations, etc). Facilitates annual review of Chair and Board Member Orientation Manuals.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
A bachelor’s degree in law, business, commerce, or related field.
Minimum 5 years’ experience working with senior level leadership teams, Boards and/or administrative tribunals or equivalent.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Certification relevant to best practices in board governance would be an asset.
Knowledge and Skills:
Experience in establishing comprehensive Board policies and procedures is necessary.
A solid understanding and demonstrated expertise with respect to the governance processes and best practices is required.
Advanced understanding of writing techniques and best practices for decision making.
Advanced knowledge of how to conduct thorough research and analysis.
High Achievement Orientation: taking the initiative to set challenging goals for the organization and achieving them after having strategically analyzed the options.
Co-operation & Organizational Teamwork: Inspires and fosters team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. Facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals.
Customer Service Orientation: Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.
Interpersonal Skills: Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
Impact and Influence: Gaining others’ support for ideas, proposals, and solutions, and getting others to take action to advance work objectives.
Team Leadership: Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing ongoing feedback and by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods.
Problem Solving/Decision Making: Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.
Good computer skills preferably experience working with MS Office suite and MS Teams.
What We Offer
Perks of working with us
7% RRSP employer contribution
Competitive wage
Paid Vacation days
Winter closure (paid time off)
Work life balance
Health and dental benefits
Health and wellness accounts
Employee assistance program
How To Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Reference competition number [LAA-22-11]. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Requirements
Successful candidate will be required to provide an acceptable criminal record check.
