Senior Advisor, External Relations

Apply By: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

Legal Aid Ontario - External Relations Department

City:

Toronto

Position(s) language:

Job term:

1 Permanent

Job code:

LA/043 - LA/043

$106,619.00 - $138,611.00 Per 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 the2SLGBTQ+ 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.

About the job 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

What you bring to the team 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

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives

accessibility

Anti-Racism Policy

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

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