Appeals Advisor, CPLED

The Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) is a non–profit organization that offers the Bar admission program in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia, and in Fall 2026 will also offer the Bar admission program in British Columbia as well. To be called to the Bar, students must article and complete CPLED's Bar admission program, Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP).

 CPLED is dedicated to helping students hone their practical skills and assesses how well they are able to apply their legal knowledge and skills in everyday situations. This helps ensure new lawyers are well-equipped to meet the demands of the workplace. CPLED maintains a high standard of programs and services for students to ensure a strong transition into the legal profession.

 The Appeals Advisor supports the administration of CPLED's adjudicative processes in a manner that is fair, transparent, timely, and consistent with the procedures and policies for all CPLED's programs and courses.

 Success in this position requires a high degree of professionalism, sound judgment, exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills, excellent organization, attention to detail, and written communication skills.

APPEALS

• Thoroughly review and investigate appeal submissions of complex and sensitive subject matter. Identify and gather additional information and documentation required to facilitate the appeal process.
• Interpret and apply internal and external policies, procedures, and regulations to inform recommendations for resolution.
• Consult and provide information to the decision maker. Draft detailed appeal decisions on behalf of the decision maker which clearly communicate the reasons for decision.
• Identify relevant documentation for inclusion in appeal disclosure packages. Prepare and issue the disclosure packages with appeal decisions.
• Apply proper case management strategies to balance competing priorities on multiple active files. Open, maintain, update, and close files with case summaries included.
• Support external legal counsel as required. 

APPEAL COMMITTEE 

• Organize training, onboarding, and offboarding for Appeal Committee members and Chairs. Update and maintain training materials and intranet site.
• Canvass scheduling availability for Appeal Committee members, discuss proposed panel compositions with Chairs, and communicate appointments to Committee members.
• Respond to general inquiries from Appeal Committee members and provide support as requested throughout the appointment term.

STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS 

• Provide advice to internal and external stakeholders regarding the administrative requirements of CPLED's adjudicative processes.
• Act as a primary contact for appeal process participants, answering questions, providing updates, and communicating appeal outcomes.
• Respond to rapid and concurrently occurring questions or requests for consultation from stakeholders in an efficient manner. Use risk-based prioritization to ensure a prompt and professional response is appropriately issued.  

DATA AND RECORDS 

• Maintain appeal records with the utmost attention to privacy, confidentiality, and security of sensitive information and documentation. Records should be organized, centrally accessible, and current.
• Develop feedback and success metrics to monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of CPLED's adjudicative processes. Analyze the resulting data and make informed recommendations for improvement.
• Draft, maintain and update reliable reference and template documents.
• Ensure timely processing and payment of all invoices; update and maintain invoice records. Track funds spent and remaining in budget lines for fiscal year.
• Update and maintain records pertaining to the Appeal Committee.
• Prepare scheduled and ad hoc reports as required.

GENERAL

• Support and respond to general inquiries in multiple Shared Mailboxes and escalations as required, applying sound judgement.
• Maintain professional working relationships with department staff, managers, and stakeholders.
• Provide administrative support and backup coverage for other staff as required.

In addition to the above, the Appeals Advisor will complete any other tasks as assigned.

• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure that one's own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve the organization.
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
• Timeliness: Commit to a deadline and meet those deadlines in a timely manner.
• Compassion: The ability to treat internal and external customers with dignity and compassion and to work with customers to find solutions within the guidelines of CPLED's policies.

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field (including but not limited to policy, public administration, law, social science, or business).
• 3-5 years of experience in a relevant field. Prior complaint, appeals, or issues management experience is an asset.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills with the ability to interpret complex issues and recommend solutions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including persuasive writing skills. Ability to read, understand, and interpret policies and legislation.
• A high degree of professionalism, diplomacy, and facilitation skills and a strong ability to develop and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent attention to detail, time and case management, and organizational skills. Ability to demonstrate initiative, flexibility, and to prioritize work independently.
• Strong aptitude for technology combined with Microsoft Office and Adobe knowledge and experience in managing database systems.
• Travel may be required from time to time.

The Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) is partnering with the Law Society of Alberta on this search. CPLED thanks all applicants, however, only selected candidates will be contacted. CPLED values diversity in its workforce and equal access to opportunity. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality.

CPLED embraces a hybrid work environment, and most of our employees work in our head office in Calgary, Alberta. If you are located elsewhere and are seeking a fully remote opportunity, you are welcome to submit your application for our consideration. Please note that remote candidates residing outside of Calgary may be required to travel occasionally.