Director, Immigration and Refugee Law Services

Legal Aid Saskatchewan (LAS) is launching an exciting new Immigration and Refugee Law Services (I&R) division - and we are seeking a visionary Director to lead its creation, development, and province-wide implementation. This is a rare opportunity to design and stand up a brand-new service line within an established access-to-justice organization. The successful candidate will shape the strategy, build the team, develop the service delivery model, and ensure high-quality, client-centered legal services for refugees and immigrants across Saskatchewan. If you are a strategic leader with deep immigration and refugee law expertise and a passion for systemic impact - this role offers the opportunity to build, influence, and lead meaningful change.

This is a full time, permanent role. The successful candidate must be based in Saskatchewan or willing to relocate to Saskatchewan and will have a province-wide mandate. The candidate will be required to travel to LAS’s head and area offices and attend various conferences as needed. Physical office will be dependent on where the candidate resides, and remote work may be an option.

Why work for us?

At 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, plus the management supplement, 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/

What You’ll Do

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director will provide strategic, operational, and financial leadership for Immigration and Refugee Services across Saskatchewan.

You will:

• Develop and execute a provincial I&R strategic plan aligned with LAS priorities
• Design and implement a hybrid service delivery model (staff lawyers + roster/panel providers)
• Establish quality standards and oversee service excellence
• Build and lead a multidisciplinary team
• Develop relationships with government, community organizations, and key stakeholders
• Analyze public policy, legislation, and jurisprudence to advance the rights of marginalized communities
• Support funding proposals and reporting to the Department of Justice and federal partners
• This is both a builder role and a leadership role - ideal for someone who thrives on creating systems, improving access to justice, and leading change.

What You Bring

• A collaborative and innovative leader
• Experienced in immigration and refugee law
• Comfortable navigating complex political and regulatory environments
• Skilled in financial oversight and performance measurement
• Passionate about advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging
• Experienced in leading teams — ideally in a unionized environment
• Strategic in vision, but operationally grounded

Preferred Qualifications

• LL.B or JD (membership in good standing with the Saskatchewan Bar preferred)
• Minimum 7 years of Immigration and Refugee Law experience
• Minimum 5 years of people management experience
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational or service change
• Strong financial and analytical capabilities
• Advanced negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills
• Fluency in additional languages is an asset

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Leadership: promotes the mission, vision and values of LAS and demonstrates high standards of fairness, honesty, and integrity.
• Client Service: leads by example and promotes a client centric culture and ensures alignment with best practices and LAS’ expectations.
• People Management: leads the Indigenous Services department or team in maintaining a climate of excellence, accountability, and respect.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: expresses ideas respectfully, concisely and persuasively, both orally and in writing.
• Leading Self: is aware of personal strengths and weaknesses and their impact on others.
• Acumen, Judgement and Decision Making: generates original ideas with practical applications.

Please note: LAS has partnered with Essence to support this recruitment process. Applicants interested in the Director, Immigration and Refugee Law Services position are encouraged to contact Matthew Cennon at Matthew@essencerecruitment.ca

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.

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