Vice President Digital Strategy and IT Services

Vice President, Digital Strategy and Information Technology Services

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is a leading provider of legal services in North America, dedicated to advancing access to justice for low-income Ontarians through innovative, client-focused, transparent, and accountable service delivery. Technology is pivotal in enabling LAO to deliver efficient, effective, and high-quality legal services across the province.

Role Overview

This newly created executive role, reporting to the CEO and serving as a member of the executive team, provides enterprise leadership for LAO’s digital and technology environment. The Vice President is accountable for IT operations, digital strategy, cybersecurity, system architecture, and the modernization of technology critical to LAO’s service delivery.

Key responsibilities include ensuring the reliability, security, and resilience of mission-critical systems supporting over one million client services annually. This encompasses intake, case management, front-line legal services, client and lawyer portals, contact centers, LAO staff in courthouses, community legal clinics, and back-office operations.

Key Responsibilities and Transformation Leadership

• Guide LAO through significant transformation, overseeing the modernization of legacy systems.
• Lead major initiatives, including the replacement of the organization’s client solution platform.
• Shape LAO’s digital future by aligning technology investments with business priorities, client/lawyer experience goals, and operational realities.
• Strengthen cyber and infrastructure capabilities and advance the responsible use of emerging technologies.
• Balance operational excellence with innovation in a complex, high-volume public-sector environment.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an experienced senior technology leader with a proven track record in digital transformation within complex, service-driven organizations. They possess deep expertise in IT operations, digital strategy, cybersecurity, and enterprise systems, coupled with strong people leadership skills in a mixed union and non-union environment.

• Credible, collaborative, and strategically minded.
• Able to engage effectively with legal, operational, and executive stakeholders.
• Skilled in translating business needs into technology solutions.
• Experienced in leading highly specialized teams through change.
• Public sector or highly regulated environment experience is strongly preferred.

Compensation and Application Details

The salary range for this position is $192,324 to $229,040, plus a comprehensive benefits package including participation in the Public Service Pension Plan, health and dental coverage, and generous vacation entitlements.

This is a publicly advertised competition for a newly created executive role. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online by April 17th at: https://careers.odgers.com/en-ca/31118

Legal Aid Ontario has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers to fill this position.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Legal Aid Ontario is an equal opportunity employer. Accommodation will be provided throughout the recruitment and selection process upon request, in accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and applicable provincial accessibility standards. Odgers is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages candidates to complete its voluntary Self-Declaration Form.

Key skills/competency

• Digital Transformation
• IT Operations Management
• Cybersecurity Leadership
• Enterprise Systems Architecture
• Strategic Technology Planning
• Public Sector Technology
• Change Management
• Executive Leadership
• Team Leadership
• Emerging Technologies