Director, Legal Aid Governance and Government Operations

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Justice Supports Branch, the Director, Legal Aid Governance and Government Operations provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Government of Alberta’s Legal Aid Alberta governance framework and justice-related grant programs. The role is responsible for advising senior ministry leadership on policy, legislative, financial, and governance matters related to legal aid initiatives.

Who we are: The Justice Supports Branch mission is to lead with innovation and collaboration, aligning people, programs, and policy to deliver adaptable justice services. The branch provides strategic oversight, policy and program coordination, and operational support to ensure initiatives are future-ready, data-driven, and responsive to the needs of many people. Our work spans legal aid governance, community justice initiatives (including the administration of the ministry’s grants and collaborating with community stakeholders to advance Restorative Justice initiatives). We are the Indigenous policy and services unit for the ministry and administer the Gladue report writing and Indigenous court worker programs. Our team also includes the Alberta Law Libraries, and Official Documents and Appointments, which assist Albertans with access to justice and manage the Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public programs.

Who you are: This role is a senior manager/director level that offers an excellent opportunity to move into a well-established team. You are a strategic and collaborative leader with a strong understanding of governance, public policy, and the justice system. You bring experience leading complex initiatives in a multi-stakeholder environment and are comfortable providing advice to senior executives and government decision-makers on sensitive policy, legislative, and funding matters.

You have a demonstrated ability to oversee significant public funding programs while ensuring accountability, transparency, and value for money. You are skilled at building strong relationships across government and community organizations and can navigate competing priorities while maintaining a focus on outcomes that strengthen access to justice for Albertans.

You lead with sound judgment, strong systems thinking, and a commitment to collaboration. You are comfortable managing complex issues, guiding teams through change, and translating strategic priorities into practical policy, program, and governance solutions.
This position leads a team responsible for monitoring and administering significant public funding, ensuring accountability, transparency, and effective program outcomes. The Director works closely with Legal Aid Alberta, occasionally the Law Society of Alberta, federal and provincial partners, and community organizations to support sustainable legal aid services and justice programming for vulnerable Albertans. This role also leads policy development, stakeholder engagement, and strategic initiatives to strengthen access to justice and ensure alignment with government priorities. 

Your key responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership and Policy Advice

• Provide strategic advice to senior ministry leadership on legal aid, justice grant programs, governance, and access to justice policy issues.
• Lead research, analysis, and the development of policy options and briefings for executive decision-makers.
  
  

Legal Aid Governance and Oversight

• Oversee the Government of Alberta’s governance relationship with Legal Aid Alberta, including monitoring performance, financial reporting, and compliance with the governance agreement.
• Provide analysis and advice related to the sustainability, effectiveness, and accountability of legal aid services.

Role Responsibilities Continued

Justice Grants and Program Administration

• Lead the design, implementation, and administration of justice-related grant programs.
• Establish funding criteria, policies, and evaluation frameworks to ensure programs achieve intended outcomes.
  
  

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders including Legal Aid Alberta, the Law Society of Alberta, federal partners, justice sector organizations, and community agencies.
• Represent the ministry in intergovernmental and stakeholder forums related to legal aid and access to justice initiatives.
  
  

Legislative and Policy Development

• Support legislative and regulatory initiatives affecting legal aid and justice programs.
• Monitor emerging trends and policy developments to inform government decision-making.
  
  

Team Leadership and Operations

• Lead and support a team of professionals responsible for policy, program oversight, and grant administration.
• Manage operational planning, budgeting, performance measurement, and staff development to ensure effective delivery of branch priorities.
  
  

What you’ll bring to the role:

• An ability to manage competing priorities and perform effectively in a demanding environment where expectations for responsiveness and delivery are high, including the ability to respond to matters outside of regular business hours.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to build relationships and navigate sensitive communications effectively.
• Excellent time management abilities, with the capacity to handle multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling you to analyze, synthesize, and refine complex information.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to quality, ensuring all material meets high standards.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Adaptability and resilience in managing shifting priorities and high-pressure situations.
• Recognition that professionalism and dependability, including maintaining consistent attendance and supporting team responsibilities in a demanding operational environment is critical to team success.
  
  

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

• Agility to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.
• Build Collaborative Environments leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
• Creative Problem Solving to be proactive in identifying solutions and focusing on continuous improvement.
• Drive for Results to know what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability to each internal and external stakeholder.
• Systems Thinking recognize the broader impact of your work and to be able to understand broader goals.

Qualifications

A university degree in public administration, business, social sciences, law, or a related field and a minimum of six years progressively responsible experience.

Equivalencies may be considered:

• Master’s degree and a minimum of four (4) years relevant experience, Diploma and a minimum of eight (8) years experience, Certificate and a minimum of nine (9) year’s related experience.
  
  

Required:

• A cover letter detailing how your skills and experience align with the role's responsibilities will be used to assess writing and communication skills.
  • As an appendix to the cover letter, candidates must provide related business examples of where they have demonstrated in two different areas of the Alberta Public Service competency model. The APS Competencies are: Build Collaborative Environments, Develop Networks, Creative Problem
  • Solving, Systems Thinking, Agility, Drive for Results, and Develop Self and Others.
  • The examples will be used to ascertain candidate’s suitability to the position. 
  • Candidates who do not complete the appendix will not be considered for further advancement in the recruitment process.
• Strong organizational, management, and financial acumen skills.
  
  

Assets:

• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, program governance, or provincial government-related programming is desired. A minimum of five years in management in a municipal, provincial, or federal public service setting is highly desired.
• Superior knowledge of the operations and workings of government departments within the Alberta Public Service.
• Experience managing or administering public sector grants or contribution programs.
• Familiarity with government budgeting cycles, financial systems (e.g., 1GX, SAP), and Treasury Board processes.
• Demonstrated experience in managing personnel and leading teams within dynamic and complex environments, including those involving public or political sensitivity, as well as teams necessitating active management, clear direction, and strong oversight.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Suite, SharePoint, and ARTS.

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Hours of work:  This position is a permanent full-time role with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday (8:15 am – 4:30 pm). Flexible work arrangements are not suitable for this position.

Positions currently available: One (1) permanent

Location: Oxbridge Place Building, 4th Floor, 9820 – 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 2J6.

Candidates living outside Edmonton may be considered if there is a Government of Alberta workspace available in their area. They must work from the nearest provincial building and be willing to travel to Edmonton regularly.

This position is not eligible to participate in the work from home or hybrid work arrangement.

Traveling will consist of less than 5% of the work schedule.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.