Director, Career Development and Professional Placement

About Toronto Metropolitan

For more than 75 years, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) has been shaping the next generation of leaders through its uniquely innovative, entrepreneurial and career-focused approach to higher education. Driven by bold leadership, cutting-edge research and a deep commitment to academic excellence, TMU collaborates with students, faculties, staff and partners to push boundaries, reimagine solutions and create meaningful change in an increasingly interconnected world.

For a more in-depth understanding of our vision, core values and ongoing work, please see our

TMU welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us in realizing the benefits of embedding these values into the work at every level and in every unit of the university. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada and to bring lived experiences to the work, we encourage applications from members of equity deserving groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada, First Nations Peoples in the United States, racialized people, Black people, persons with disabilities, women, and 2SLGBTQ+ people. Preference will be given to candidates with lived experiences as people from equity deserving groups, as well as experience working with these communities with which the University works every day. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and we welcome newcomers and immigrants to Canada.

In April 2022, the university announced its new name of Toronto Metropolitan University. Learn more about our .

The Opportunity

The Lincoln Alexander School of Law is entering an exciting new stage of growth. As we continue to build one of Canada’s newest law schools, we are investing in an integrated vision of professional formation that prepares graduates not only to enter the legal profession, but to help shape its future.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean, Student Programming and Equity, the Director, Career Development and Professional Placement Office will play a central leadership role in advancing that vision. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, employers, alumni, community partners, and colleagues across the law school, the Director will lead the continued evolution of career development, employer engagement, professional placements, and practice-informed learning opportunities that prepare students for meaningful and successful careers across the legal profession.

This is an opportunity to build, innovate, and lead within a law school that continues to define its future.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides strategic leadership for the Career Development and Professional Placements Office, articulating and implementing a vision for career development, professional formation, employer engagement, and practice readiness aligned with the law school’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Leads the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of career development strategy, professional programming, student supports, and employer engagement initiatives that prepare students for successful and meaningful legal careers.
• Provides strategic oversight of the Integrated Practice Curriculum (IPC) professional placement program, ensuring compliance with academic, licensing, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.
• Serves as the law school’s primary liaison with the Law Society of Ontario and other professional and regulatory bodies on matters relating to licensing, experiential learning, professional placements, and student transitions to practice.
• Builds and sustains strategic, reciprocal partnerships with employers, alumni, courts, government, legal clinics, Indigenous organizations, public interest organizations, and the broader legal profession to expand student opportunities and strengthen institutional relationships.
• Leads, develops, and mentors a high-performing team while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, continuous improvement, and service excellence.
• Collaborates with faculty and administrative partners to integrate professional formation, experiential learning, career readiness, and student success throughout the law school experience.
• Uses data, environmental scanning, program evaluation, and student feedback to identify emerging trends, assess outcomes, inform strategic planning, and drive continuous improvement.
• Leverages technology, digital platforms, and strategic communications to enhance student engagement, service delivery, operational effectiveness, and organizational change.
• Represents the law school within the legal profession and broader community, cultivating strategic partnerships, advancing institutional priorities, and identifying opportunities for sponsorship, external funding, and innovative programming.

Qualifications
To help us learn more about you, please provide a cover letter and resume describing how your experience, leadership, and approach prepare you to deliver the key responsibilities outlined above. The successful candidate will demonstrate many of the following qualifications:

• LL.B. or J.D. degree and membership in good standing with a law society in North America.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in legal practice and/or legal education, including career development, employer engagement, professional placements, student advising, and staff leadership, preferably within a law school.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Canadian legal profession, legal education, experiential learning, and the regulatory frameworks governing legal licensing and professional preparation.
• Demonstrated success building strategic partnerships and leading programs, projects, teams, and organizational change within complex environments.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to successfully deliver the key responsibilities outlined above.
• Excellent relationship-building, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and influence outcomes.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and organizational skills, including experience using data and evaluation to inform planning and continuous improvement.
• Proficiency with digital technologies and a demonstrated ability to leverage technology to enhance service delivery, student engagement, and operational effectiveness.

Leadership Competencies

Leaders at TMU are required to demonstrate the following Leadership Competencies:

• Acts with Integrity: Demonstrates behaviors aligned with high ethical standards and personal integrity and acts in accordance with TMU values.
• Builds Relationships of Trust & Collaboration: Actively builds a culture of trust and fosters meaningful relationships.
• Leads Inclusively: Creates an inclusive environment where everyone is respected, recognized, empowered to achieve their potential, and valued for their differences.
• Demonstrates Organizational Acumen: Understands and respectfully navigates complex internal and external environments using sound judgment, diplomacy, and tact.
• Drives Vision & Results: Creates and implements a vision grounded in sound decision-making to achieve desired outcomes.