Job Description

We are currently seeking a dynamic

Director, Criminal Law Services

to lead our operations in

Saskatoon

and surrounding rural court points. Reporting directly to the CEO, this influential role oversees services at courts in Saskatoon, and its rural court points. The scope of services overseen by this role includes all Criminal Law Services in Saskatoon and vicinity. As a key advisor to Senior Leadership and a representative of Head Office, you'll shape the future of legal service delivery in the area.


With responsibility for people, programs, and performance, you'll lead a committed team, manage resources effectively, and ensure high-quality client service. Success in this role requires not just operational expertise - but the vision to advance Legal Aid Saskatchewan's mission and strategic priorities in a complex and meaningful area of public service.

Why work for us?

At Legal Aid Saskatchewan (LAS), we are committed to ensuring access to justice for all, and we believe in the power of advocacy to change lives. Joining our team means being part of a province-wide organization that values compassion, collaboration, courage and commitment. In addition to your competitive salary listed above, our generous and comprehensive benefit package includes employer's paid extended health & dental family coverage; paid sick time; three weeks of paid vacation at the start, plus 12 scheduled days (SDOs); 14 Statutory holidays; pension match 6.35%; relocation assistance if applicable and more. For more information visit: legalaid.sk.ca/about/careers/

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Planning & Service Delivery

+ Analyze legal service demand in the area and develop responsive plans aligned with both local needs and corporate objectives.
+ Organize legal staff and private bar resources to efficiently meet service demand.
+ Collaborate with Head Office to develop and implement business plans, budgets, and strategic initiatives for the area.
+ Identify and plan service innovations based on emerging legal trends, community needs, and organizational capacity.

Operations & Fiscal Management

+ Oversee the area's service delivery budget, monitor expenditures, and report regularly on financial performance, including pressures and underspends.
+ Approve disbursements, file farmouts, and expenditures related to legal services and office operations.
+ Ensure accurate and timely data collection for service analysis and report performance to Head Office at regular intervals.
+ Review and approve discretionary applications, as well as Notices of Ineligibility, Termination, and Denial.

People Leadership

+ Lead recruitment, succession planning, and resource management to ensure the area is staffed to meet current and future demands.
+ Provide legal supervision, mentorship, and performance management for all legal professionals in the area.
+ Facilitate training and development opportunities to support ongoing professional growth.
+ Conduct performance reviews, manage disciplinary processes, and approve employee time off and other personnel matters.
+ Support the Administrative Manager in supervising administrative staff, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and performance evaluation.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

+ Serve as the primary LAS representative in the area, maintaining strong relationships with justice partners (Crown, Courts, Corrections, Police), advocacy organizations, social service agencies, and tribal councils.
+ Actively engage in stakeholder meetings and community initiatives to advance LAS's mission and strategic interests.
+ Collaborate with LAS senior leaders and peers across the province to identify opportunities to improve service delivery and enhance client outcomes.

Core Competencies

Leadership:

Promotes LAS' mission, vision and values. Demonstrates high standards of integrity, honesty and fairness. Inspires and motivates others.

Strategic Thinking and Planning:

Identifies plans to translate LAS's strategic goals into practical and achievable plans within the Area Office. Anticipates future opportunities and constraints.

Client Service:

Strategically identifies opportunities for service improvement. Gathers a variety of data and information to make recommendations and improvements for client service. Serves as an effective spokesperson.

People Management:

Leads Area Office staff in maintaining a climate of excellence, accountability, and respect. Delegates effectively, making the best use of skills and resources within the team. Provides mentorship and supervision to all lawyers and admin support staff.

Communication and Interpersonal skills:

Expresses ideas respectfully, concisely and persuasively, both orally and in writing. Models and encourages others to actively listen, allows for questions and discussion, and reflects on key messages, while ensuring stakeholders have a chance to provide input.

Leading Self:

Is aware of personal strengths and weaknesses and their impact on others. Pursues adopted strategies with energy and commitment. Adapts quickly and is flexible to new demands and changes within the organization. Manages own time well to meet competing priorities.

Acumen, Judgement and Decision Making:

Generates original ideas with practical applications. Defends logic of own position but also responds positively and respectfully to reasoned alternatives. Encourages creative thinking by others. Offers objective advice to the Senior Management Team.

Position Requirements

Minimum five years of litigation experience in criminal law at both Provincial and King's Bench Court. 3-5 years operational management experience in private practice or LAS overseeing teams of professionals. Experience with planning and change management (need aptitude and evidence of experience). Demonstrated proficiency with technology and a strong willingness to learn new systems. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with the ability to navigate legal practice software (e.g., LAIN), web-based legal research tools, and other online resources.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted and evaluated until the position is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.