Director General

Apply By:Friday, October 23, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

Building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve while promoting a safe culture and work environment that dismantles systemic barriers, welcomes fresh perspectives and embraces differences as a priority is a core value at LAO. LAO encourages applicants from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis, Black and racialized, as well as persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We recognize the value of equity, diversity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and prioritizing, attracting and retaining diverse staff. All interested and eligible people will be considered, with due consideration to all protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process as well as during employment at LAO. Please direct any accommodation requests to our recruitment team.

About the job

Primary function The Director General is responsible for the delivery and oversight of court-based legal aid services within the district, including criminal, family, and child protection, through an integrated model that includes duty counsel and staff services, certificate, and summary legal advice programs.

This role will be responsible for leading a large and geographically dispersed staff in the following judicial districts/locations; Algoma
- Sault Ste. Marie, Cochrane
- Timmins, Kenora, Manitoulin
- Sudbury, Nipissing
- North Bay, Parry Sound, Rainy River
- Fort Frances, Temiskaming
- Kirkland Lake, and Thunder Bay.

As a member of LAO's senior management team, the Director General will work effectively with Provincial Office and local management, staff and other justice sector participants, community partners, Indigenous communities and organizations to ensure that LAO services are client-focused, culturally appropriate, responsive to justice sector needs and support court modernization initiatives.

Home

Location:
Situated in the North District with a preference for the location to be in the Thunder Bay or Sudbury District Office.

Key accountabilities

• The Director General will lead service delivery across a large and geographically vast district and will require a strong understanding of the unique challenges associated with providing legal services across a large geographic area to dispersed communities, including rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. Success in this role requires balancing operational excellence with innovative approaches to service delivery that address geographic, cultural, and accessibility barriers, and align with court modernization objectives and the government priorities as set out in the Attorney General's annual letter of direction to LAO.
• We are seeking an individual with strong leadership skills and legal expertise combined with a solid understanding of the principles of modern public sector management. You are also a change agent, adept at systems management and creative problem solving, with excellent communication skills in both public and private forums, and great interpersonal skills with a good understanding of public sector values. You will have a strong client service orientation, and the capacity to quickly understand and implement business objectives and collaborate with other justice sector participants, including Indigenous communities to find solutions to issues.
• The Director General will be a creative, committed self-starter with excellent relationship-building skills. You will apply your management skills and previous experience to provide leadership and vision to implement LAO's Strategic Plan and annual business plans as well as ensuring that appropriate and innovative service delivery mechanisms are in place. You will be instrumental in advancing the organization's strategic objectives as well as developing and maintaining key stakeholder relationships. This role will serve as a key advisor to LAO senior leadership on Northern Ontario's unique service delivery challenges and opportunities to inform policy, program, and operational decisions.
• This role requires developing and sustaining trusted relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations, justice sector partners, community agencies, municipal leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure services are responsive to local and regional needs.
• This position will play a leadership role in advancing LAO's Indigenous Services Action Plan and reconciliation objectives through meaningful engagement, relationship building, and service improvements that sup