Director - Professional Resources & Administration

Our highly regarded client is seeking a Director, Professional Resources & Administration to lead and manage all aspects of legal professional resources, legal support, business services, and office operations in their Calgary office. This is a senior leadership role working closely with firm leadership to support lawyers, students, and staff, while ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the office.

Reporting to the Chief Professional Resources Officer and working in close collaboration with the Calgary Managing Partner, the Director is responsible for the full lifecycle management of legal professionals, oversight of student programs, and coordination of office operations and professional resources.

• Manage all aspects of the lifecycle of legal professionals, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, leaves of absence, secondments, and outplacement
• Act as the primary point of contact for legal professionals prior to and upon joining the firm, addressing feedback, retention matters through day to day consultation, partner and associate relations, and providing coaching and professional development guidance.
• Develop and implement office-wide and legal professional specific initiatives, including mentorship and coaching programs, DEI programs, and training and development programs, in collaboration with colleagues in Toronto.
• Monitor workload allocation by working closely with practice group leaders to understand the organization and the needs of the business.
• Oversee the Calgary law student recruitment process, including attending law school career fairs, coordinating firm tours and panels for candidates and law school groups, reviewing student applications, conducting on-campus interviews, and leading the interview week hiring process.
• Oversee the Calgary student program, including orientation of new students, overseeing performance management, workload allocation, student education programs, and acting as a key point of contact for students; plan and attend related social events
• Work closely with Director, Legal Support Manager, Legal Support and Student Programs and Manager, Client Services & Tech Support with respect to the management of the legal support and business services provided to the office, ensuring exceptional service is delivered, and resources are utilized in the most efficient manner possible.
• Provide oversight to the Manager, Client Services & Tech Support, on all office services related matters. This includes overseeing the maintenance and repair of physical office space and equipment, including boardroom AV systems, and coordinate all interoffice moves, including office allocation, furniture, computer and phone requirements; manage facilities functions, including liaising with building management and external vendors regarding maintenance of premises;
  
  coordinating and recommending the acquisition, lease or rent of office equipment and furniture; liaising with the Chief, Client and Facility Services and brokers re firm premises insurance; overseeing related matters including parking, HVAC, repairs, lighting, keys, security; liaising with building management and security to ensure high level of security and safety for all lawyers and staff, including coordinating annual life safety and emergency response training.
• Work with the COO, CPRO and CHRO to develop annual Calgary office and employee operating budgets, including monitoring and managing Professional Resources, Human Resources and Facility Services expenses in line with established budgets, ensuring management is kept aware of significant variances to plans. Review and manage firm accounts and contracts with vendors; communicate with senior management on any unplanned expenses that will result in budget overage.
• Provide guidance, coaching and developmental support to direct reports to ensure that they are engaged, delivering on their accountabilities and meeting department and firm service standards.

• An LLB or JD degree
• Related experience, preferably within a law firm or professional services environment
• Strong knowledge of legal markets and the…