General Counsel

 What does this role look like?

The purpose of this position is to oversee the provision of legal services to the organization and to provide senior leadership and strategic direction to the Legal Services Department. This position is accountable for providing legal services and advice on matters impacting students, system and CBE operations.

The CBE understands the future of work is flexible.  In this role, you are eligible to participate in a flexible work program that allows you to work remotely for up to three days a week.  A minimum of two days must be in the office.  At certain times, you maybe be required to work in the office more then 2 days per week based on operational requirements.

What will you do?

Provides legal advice and acts a strategic advisor:

▪Provides advice, support and guidance to the Chief Superintendent of Schools, the Superintendents Team and the Board of Trustees on legal matters that may affect CBE operations.

▪Advises on changes in laws and regulations and evaluates the impact on the organization and schools, as well as develops the organization's position on such change.

▪Selects and manages outside legal counsel. Coordinates the work of internal and external counsel on legal issues. Directs litigation and responds to or directs legal processes and represents the organization's position in civil litigation and administrative law processes.

▪Oversees and coordinates extensive research of statutes, regulations, or court decisions, which impact policy and operations decisions of schools and service units.

▪Oversees and directs the development, coordination and implementation of effective policies, guidelines and procedures to manage the CBE’s compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPP) Act.

▪Oversees the legalities of the school closure process.

▪Provides legal oversight to Administrative Regulations including legal review analysis and advice required for their development, implementation and amendment, as required.

▪Provides legal advice for Areas and services units.

▪Ensures that a database of legal opinions obtained on behalf of the organization including system school issues, contracts, cases, property transactions and claims are maintained.

▪Prepares and signs affidavits and statutory declarations as a Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public.

▪Provides legal and strategic advice to support collective bargaining and provides support related to collective bargaining agreement related issues.

Manages and coaches employees:

▪Provides employees with clear expectations for successful performance; monitors the performance and provides employees support required to optimize their performance.

▪Provides feedback, coaching, mentoring and development opportunities to create and maintain a high-functioning team and foster a positive work environment within the department.

▪Creates learning and training opportunities to build capacity to enable system staff to gain the skills and knowledge to manage and accommodate student entitlement.

▪Recruits and selects staff. Establishes and enforces standards of performance and professional conduct. Conducts ongoing performance assessment and evaluations in relation to expected levels of service delivery. Carries out discipline actions up to and including termination, as appropriate.

▪Prepares and manages approved department budget for Legal Affairs. Develops appropriate monitoring and accountability for services rendered

Establishes effective governance structures and processes:

▪Serves as a member of the Superintendents’ Team. Participates in planning, establishment of strategies, goals, objectives, regulations, procedures of the system, Board delegated matters, Board Governance, Board Policies and legislated duties pursuant to the Education Act.

▪In conjunction with the Chief Superintendent, supports the monitoring and adherence to Board Policies and establishes standards, procedures, work plans consistent with Administration Regulations and Board Policies for the Service Unit.

▪Works in consultation with other service unit Directors, Education Directors, Superintendents, schools, internal and external consultants and other professional agencies to obtain information and/or resolve issues pertaining to the functions of the Service Unit.

▪Coordinates preparations of administrative reports to the board and Administrative Committee meetings. Reviews, evaluates and approves submission and placement of the agenda. Monitors implementation of decisions made at the administrative meetings and the Board. Prepares progress reports on implementation of decisions for the attention of the Chief Superintendent and communicates board decisions to appropriate agencies or individuals.

Builds relationships with internal and external stakeholders:

▪Represents the CBE on boards, committees and at public meetings as required. Builds relationships with Provincial and external stakeholders.

▪Performs other related responsibilities to meet organizational goals and objectives.

▪Attends functions and meetings as a representative and/or senior advisor of the Chief Superintendent as required.

What are we looking for?

Education and Experience

▪Qualified to practice law in Alberta

▪Minimum ten years general practice experience in some or all of the following areas of the law: labour; contracts; employment, education; insurance; negligence; family; real property; administrative; and general litigation.

▪Minimum 5 years senior leadership experience.

▪Experience with public sector organizations, K-12 educational institutions is preferred.

▪Familiarity with the Education Act, Labour Relations Code, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Child Welfare and related legislation, Human Rights Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Charter of Rights.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies

▪Strategic Focus - Thinks broadly with innovation to align initiatives, strategies, and long term goals with organizational frames of references; advise and plan based on analysis of issues and trends, and how these link to the responsibilities, capabilities and potential of the organization; provide well informed advice and strategies that are sensitive to the various needs of multiple stakeholders and partners.

▪Results Oriented – Continually strives for excellence in identifying, implementing and evaluating opportunities to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of processes in order to produce desired results.

▪Talent Management – Establishes clear expectations for employees under the individual’s supervision; creates an optimal environment for employees to meet or exceed the performance expectations.

▪Build Capacity – Shares knowledge with and builds the skills of others; creates and maximizes opportunities to build capacity through a variety of formal and informal methods.

▪Customer Service – Anticipates and meets the need of clients; achieves quality end-products; is committed to continuous improvement of services; balances interests of a variety of clients; readily readjusts priorities to respond to pressing and changing client demands.

▪Influencing – Persuades others; builds consensus through give and take; gains cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals; facilitates win-win situations.

▪Problem Solving – Identifies and analyses problems; distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information to make logical decisions; generates and evaluates range of acceptable alternatives for consideration; provides solutions to individual and organizational problems.

▪Change Leadership – Energizes and alerts groups to the need for specific changes in the way things are done; takes responsibility to champion the change effort through building and maintaining support and commitment.

▪Communication – Makes clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; listens effectively and clarifies information as needed; facilitates an open exchange of ideas and fosters an atmosphere of open communication.

▪Personal suitability.

Competition Info

Competition Close Date: Monday, June 16, 2025 @ 11:59 PM

Calendar: 12 month

Salary: $203,843 to $229,431 annually

FTE: 1.0 FTE, 35 hours per week

What happens next?

We thank all candidates for their interest in this position however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.