Job Description

LEGAL COUNSEL

OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL

Competition No.

25.10.276

CATEGORY

SALARY

CLOSING DATE

Full-Time Continuing (35 hours per week) $115,214 to $155,754 per annum November 9, 2025

About Us

------------



MacEwan University is where caring faculty help people connect their passions to their future paths. Located in the heart of Edmonton's diverse and dynamic downtown community, and on the traditional lands of Treaty 6 First Nations and homelands of the Metis people, MacEwan is known for exceptional undergraduate learning. With its dedication to teaching excellence, informed by scholarly research, innovation, and creative activity, MacEwan provides an exceptional collaborative and supportive learning environment with a commitment to human rights, environmental sustainability, and opportunities for community engagement. We are committed to creating an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community for all peoples, cultures, and identities.



Our comprehensive undergraduate university offers 55 programs to more than 20,000 full- and part-time students in business, communications, community and human services, design, fine and performing arts, health, humanities, natural science, nursing, public safety, and social science. Through a wide array of experiential learning opportunities, and strategic relationships in the community, we partner with others to produce graduates of stature. Along with a robust grounding in their chosen disciplines, MacEwan students are given durable life skills that prepare them to take on the world.

Opportunity

---------------


The Office of General Counsel (OGC) at MacEwan University is seeking a full-time continuing Legal Counsel to join a growing, service-oriented team dedicated to providing strategic, responsive, and empathetic legal advice across the institution. Reporting to the General Counsel, the Legal Counsel will act as a trusted advisor to a wide range of stakeholders, including faculty, staff, administrators, and executives, and will provide support on a broad spectrum of legal matters.


This position requires a legal background with a primary focus on advisory services, advocacy, and dispute resolution, with strength in administrative law, human rights, litigation, and employment law. Experience with labour law is considered a significant asset. The successful candidate will be emotionally intelligent, collaborative, and comfortable providing both legal and strategic guidance in a complex post-secondary environment.

Working at OGC: A Strategic and Collaborative Legal Team

The OGC is evolving to meet the needs of a dynamic academic institution. Our vision is to be approachable, professional, collaborative, and helpful. We are deeply integrated into the university community to ensure we understand the unique goals, pressures, and challenges of each unit we serve. Legal Counsel at MacEwan are not only legal technicians; they are strategic partners. They help clients identify and manage risk, support their decision-making, and remain committed to outcomes, regardless of the path chosen. Legal Counsel at MacEwan must be calm under pressure, emotionally intelligent, and open to working with a diverse range of individuals across all levels of the institution.

#

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Providing timely and practical legal advice on a wide range of legal areas, including administrative law, human rights, employment law, litigation, privacy, governance, and policy matters; Providing legal advice and guidance on university investigations; Representing the university in legal proceedings and managing litigation files, including matters before administrative tribunals and human rights commissions; Supporting client decision-making by explaining legal risks, options, and implications clearly and constructively; Working collaboratively with departments across the university to identify legal issues, providing preventive advice, and supporting institutional initiatives; Assisting in the development and review of university policies, procedures, and agreements; Drafting, negotiating, and reviewing contracts and other legal documents; Coordinating with external counsel on specialized legal matters; Contributing to building strong, trusting relationships across the university community; Maintaining awareness of emerging legal issues affecting the post-secondary sector and sharing insights proactively; and Supporting the General Counsel on high-priority or strategic initiatives as needed.
#

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES

High emotional intelligence (EQ) and interpersonal sensitivity; Commitment to professionalism, approachability, and service; Ability to remain calm and constructive in high-pressure or sensitive situations; Experience working with diverse stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams; Excellent communications skills with the ability to present, both orally and in writing, legal opinions, arguments and recommendations, as well as communicating the law and procedures in plain language; Strong organizational and time management skills to manage a diverse workload with competing demands; A willingness and aptitude to learn new areas of law, particularly corporate/commercial matters, to support team collaboration and cross-training; An openness to embracing and learning new technologies, including artificial intelligence applications, to enhance the delivery of legal services; and Familiarity with the post-secondary sector or broader public sector is an asset.
#

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Alberta (or eligibility for membership). A minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience in a complex and dynamic environment. Extensive experience in administrative law, particularly in a litigation or tribunal context. Demonstrated expertise in human rights and employment law. Experience providing legal counsel on complex and sensitive internal investigations. Proven ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical advice and communicate with a wide range of audiences. Experience in a university or public sector environment is an asset.
#

BENEFITS

When you become part of the MacEwan University team, you will enjoy a competitive salary. Our total compensation package includes:

Competitive base pay Generous vacation time Secure pension plan Flexible benefits package Continuous learning culture * Opportunities for career growth