Senior Advisor, External Relations

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Union: Non-Union Job Number: J0726-0068 Job Title: Senior Advisor, External Relations Job Type: Permanent Full Time City, Province, Country: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Job Location: Toronto Job Category: Management / Consulting Classification: SPG3 Open Positions: 1 Posting Date: July 24, 2026 Closing Date: August 9, 2026 Salary: $106,619.00 - $138,611.00 /Year

Legal Aid Ontario employees are committed to making a difference in the lives of our clients.

As an integral partner in the Justice system, working at Legal Aid Ontario is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to help people who need it the most; to ensure each client receives the access to justice afforded to them under the law.

If you are looking for a new challenge in your already meaningful career with a team dedicated to justice, and innovation in a flexible and supportive work environment consider this opportunity below.

Building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve while promoting a safe culture and work environment that dismantles systemic barriers, welcomes fresh perspectives and embraces differences as a priority is a core value at LAO. LAO encourages applicants from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis, Black and racialized, as well as persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

We recognize the value of equity, diversity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and prioritizing, attracting and retaining diverse staff. All interested and eligible people will be considered, with due consideration to all protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process as well as during employment at LAO. Please direct any accommodation requests to our recruitment team.

Primary function

Leveraging relationships and networks across the justice system, LAO is seeking a Senior Advisor to conduct public consultations, build and strengthen external relationships, provide strategic advice and work collaboratively with justice participants, service providers and other organizations to improve client service and enhance the value of Legal Aid Ontario (“LAO”) within the justice system.

Home Location: Provincial Office – Toronto
Secondary Location: Not applicable
Reporting to: Director, External Relations

Key accountabilities

• Conduct consultations, including those under LAO’s statutory public consultation process
• Development and execution of outreach strategies and initiatives
• Ensure internal and external relationships and interactions are valuable and beneficial to LAO’s clients; that they support LAO’s mandate and objectives, in particular high quality client service and value for money
• Facilitate open communication, understanding, collaboration and support among justice partners
• Strategize and contribute to internal and external working groups
• Research, write and present reports, briefing notes and other materials related to external relations issues, strategies and initiatives
• Coordinate and support LAO’s work with external organizations such as the Association of Legal Aid Plans

Required skills & experience

• A degree in law, public policy, political science, business or a related discipline
• Five (5)+ years working in government, for a government agency, or non-profit organization with experience interacting with legal issues and/or the justice system
• An understanding of LAO’s legal and operational framework including service delivery models
• Understanding of LAO’s legislative mandate, Strategic Plan, Business Plan, and justice system priorities, challenges and opportunities
• Strong understanding of the decision-making structure and processes in a public sector environment
• Experience working in the justice sector or on legal issues with stakeholders with a deep appreciation for the challenges faced by LAO’s clients and the challenges facing LAO and the justice system
• Demonstrated collaborative, analytic and proactive approach to problem solving
• Demonstrated ability to establish relationships and partnerships with a wide variety of stakeholders including: courts and the judiciary, various levels of government and agencies, non-profit organizations, the broader public sector and service providers
• Experience working with stakeholders in any sector and/or justice sector participants to develop solutions to complicated problems
• Strong interpersonal skills and inclusive working style
• Demonstrated policy development experience
• Ability to plan, organize and monitor work effectively and in a resourceful, self-directed manner
• Exceptional verbal, written communication and presentation skills used to develop materials for internal and external audiences
• Excellent analytical, strategic, problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, accessibility, equity and inclusion
• Understanding of priorities, challenges and opportunities in the justice system
• Ability to multi task effectively and work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Demonstrated ability to use Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint