Chief Counsel

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We are one of Canada’s top universities and leading research institutions. With more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, two campuses (Lethbridge and Calgary), seven faculties and schools, and more than 2,500 employees, ULethbridge is Lethbridge’s second largest employer. Faculty and staff come together to contribute, each in their own way, to establishing ULethbridge as Canada’s destination university. p>

The University of Lethbridge is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and strategic legal professional for the continuing position of General Counsel. p>

The General Counsel oversees the legal affairs of the University and serves as legal advisor to the University’s Senior Executive and the Board of Governors. This role is integral in ensuring compliance, mitigating legal risks, and supporting the University’s goals through proactive legal advice. Legal services include contracts, administrative law, privacy law, employment and labour law, legislative compliance, and commercial legal issues. The position also oversees the provision of advice from external legal services.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages the University’s litigation and oversees and maintains relationships with external legal counsel.
• Drafts and/or reviews legal contracts, agreements, policies, and other legal documents for the University, including the development of standardized templates for contracts and agreements.
• Prepares legal reports to the Board, external auditor, and the Provincial Government. li>
• Provides legal advice to the University’s Senior Executives and Board of Governors on diverse legal matters, including administrative law, governance, privacy law, employment, labour law, and legislative compliance.
• Collaborates closely with the University Governance Office, Executive Director of Risk and Safety Services, and other key stakeholders on strategic and operational legal matters.
• Leads a high-performing team, which includes Legal Counsel (1.5 FTE), and Legal Assistant (0.li>
• Identifies and recommends procedures and practices for compliance with applicable laws and University policies, including privacy and human rights legislation.

Position Qualifications

To accomplish this role, General Counsel must maintain a current knowledge of the legal environment and how it relates to the post-secondary context, have a strong understanding of the operations of the University, and develop and maintain productive relationships with campus stakeholders and legal providers.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor of Laws degree or a Juris Doctor degree and a membership or eligibility for membership with the Law Society of Alberta, coupled with 5-10 years of progressive work experience in a legal capacity role. Experience in the post-secondary environment would be an asset.

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