General Counsel (500-09)

Title: General Counsel (500-09) (Permanent)
Work Location: Legal Services Division, OPSEU/SEFPO Head Office, 100 Lesmill Rd, Toronto, ON, M3B 3P8
Reporting to: President’s Office
Start Date: To be determined
Search Type: Open to all – staff, members and the community

Ontario Public Service Employees Union / Syndicat des employés de la fonction publique de l’Ontario

OPSEU/SEFPO represents approximately 180,000 members across Ontario. They are full-and part-time workers, as diverse a group as you could imagine. OPSEU/SEFPO’s members work for the Ontario government, inside community colleges, for the LCBO, in the health care and education sectors, and they are employed in a wide range of community agencies within the broader public sector.

OPSEU/SEFPO has an incredibly talented, knowledgeable, and dedicated workforce that provides the highest level of support to its diverse membership. We are striving to reflect the communities we serve while fostering a workplace that is diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, equitable, and respectful.

OPSEU/SEFPO is pleased to invite applications for one (1) permanent General Counsel position.

OPSEU/SEFPO supports employment equity and encourages applications from racialized individuals, people with disabilities, Indigenous, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. Candidates must have a demonstrated ability to foster an inclusive union culture and to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessible programs, strategies, and principles.

Role Overview:

The General Counsel is a key member of the senior leadership team, providing strategic legal leadership and supporting transformative organizational initiatives. This role requires building trusted relationships across the executive team and the broader organization, with significant influence at all levels.

The General Counsel leads the organization’s legal function, delivering sophisticated legal advice, while helping guide critical organizational decisions in a dynamic, progressive environment. The role is instrumental in supporting OPSEU/SEFPO’s continued growth, protecting its interests, and enabling strategic initiatives across the province. As a strategic advisor, the General Counsel provides leadership on corporate governance, compliance, litigation, labour and employment matters, and organizational risk management.

This is a unique opportunity for a senior legal professional with experience in the labour movement, who combines strong legal expertise with sound judgment, operational agility, and a pragmatic approach to managing risk within a unionized environment.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic legal advice and counsel to senior leadership on corporate, operational, service, policy and political issues, including advising on bargaining in a high participation organizing model.
• Identify legal and business risks and develop proactive mitigation strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
• Lead and oversee litigation, dispute resolution, contract enforcement in collaboration with external counsel.
• Develop criteria and benchmarks for the selection of external counsel, select external counsel and enter contracts for service.
• Assist the President of OPSEU/SEFPO in the interpretation of the constitution.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of OPSEU/SEFPO operations, positions, and strategic objectives to inform legal strategy and risk management.
• Liaise with Executive Committee members, the Executive Board, staff at all levels, union members, and external counsel on a wide range of legal issues.
• Ensure compliance with applicable provincial and federal legislation, regulations and governance standards.
• Strengthen governance frameworks, policies, ethical standards, and compliance initiatives.
• Contribute meaningfully to strategic decision-making alongside the executive leadership team.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate is a highly credible, seasoned legal professional with strong technical expertise, and sound business acumen. In addition to highly developed communication and research skills, and a demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in teams, you are recognized for providing practical, solution-oriented legal advice while effectively balancing risk and opportunity.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LL.B. from an accredited law school
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive legal experience, preferably in a unionized environment
• Membership in good standing with a Canadian law society
• Experience working on complicated legal matters that require consideration of compliance, litigation and organizational processes
• Experience managing an internal legal team as well as overseeing external counsel
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, case law, labour relations, and socio-political issues affecting the labour movement
• Experience advising senior leadership in complex, political, and fast-paced environments
• Exceptional negotiation, analytical, conflict resolution and relationship management skills
• Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication, and presentation skills
• Organizational and multitasking skills with attention to detail
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• A high level of integrity, professionalism, fairness, judgment, discretion and diplomacy
• Demonstrated commitment to labour and social democratic philosophy

Remuneration:

Annual salary of $192,793.12, a comprehensive fully employer-funded benefits package along with a defined benefit pension plan.

Application Submission:

Applicants must complete the two-step submission process noted below. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from consideration.

1. Complete the OPSEU/SEFPO Job Applicant Survey;
2. Submit your application (cover letter and résumé) as a single Word or PDF document to AdministratorPAC@opseu.org quoting “26.035 – General Counsel (500-09), Legal Services Division” no later than July 20, 2026 by 11:59pm (Eastern Daylight Time).

Please advise in your email if you require disability related accommodation to participate in this competition.

Posting Date: July 6, 2026