At McCarthy Tétrault, we offer challenging and rewarding career opportunities and are delighted to have been selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. Our culture is built on professional excellence, collaboration, innovation, thought leadership and entrepreneurialism. We embrace inclusion in all its forms and we provide the tools and opportunities to help our people develop to their full potential.

We are recruiting a  Manager to join our team in our Toronto office. The successful candidate must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in human resources or payroll and will be responsible for managing employee files, assisting with payroll, and processing changes in the system. McCarthy Tétrault employees enjoy a hybrid work environment.

As a Manager, Legal Support Services (12-month contract), you will be:

• Determining administrative support requirements for Partners and their practices in order to ensure that trained staff is in place.
• Working closely with Senior Manager/Director, Legal Support Services, to propose, implement and maintain LSS resources, including hiring talent, recommending teams, providing feedback, and recommending physical location of legal assistants based on practice requirements.
• Coaching employees to utilize all resources available to them in order to build strong co-operative working relationships and meet practice requirements.
• Managing staff in a hybrid work environment.
• Educating LSS staff and Partners on the Firm’s performance management program encouraging direct and regular feedback for recognition and continuous improvement.
• Leading the performance management process for LSS staff, including: collaborating on performance objectives as appropriate, approving goal plans; coaching to ensure Firm standards are met, providing and collecting ongoing feedback, including facilitating review conversations with Lawyers.
• Recommending annual salary increases and bonus payments for direct reports in accordance with the Firm’s salary administration practices.
• Consulting with the Director, Legal Support Services and/or Manager/Director, Human Resources prior to initiating any formal disciplinary procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and evaluate alternative courses of action.
• Leading change management initiatives within LSS teams to support successful and positive outcomes.
• Identifying process improvements, including driving improved workflow & optimization and use of AI, and coaching Continuous Improvement Committee members to achieve their team goals.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues – i.e. peers, IT Trainers, other functional areas – to determine content and delivery mechanisms of training, including new processes, new software applications and conducting skills assessment of both new hires and existing staff.
• Ensuring that LSS staff are fully conversant with firm technology applications applicable to their roles.
• Influencing and encouraging Partners and LSS staff to support the LSS model firm-wide by educating people about available resources and provide assistance as may be required to access and utilize those resources.
• Responsible for identifying problems, seeking innovative solutions, communicating with stakeholders and following through until the problems are resolved.
• Working collaboratively with LSS management team to support operational needs, share best practices, to improve efficiencies (including determining where AI tools may be relevant), to standardize working processes and to participate in projects related to Legal Support Services.
• Preparing monthly and annual reporting on relevant metrics, operational and project progress.

As our ideal candidate, you will distinguish yourself by the following profile:

• University degree in Business Administration, Human Resources. Related field or extensive relevant work experience will be considered.
• Minimum 10 years of related experience with at least 3 years in a supervisory role, ideally in a professional services environment.
• Highly developed problem solving, conflict management and negotiation skills, including the ability to successfully resolve performance and disciplinary issues.
• Ability to visualize and deliver creative solutions.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in numeracy skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong familiarity with the MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
• Works well under pressure and adjusts to changing needs of the Firm. Proven ability to prioritize and communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of the Firm, in a fast-paced environment and on a national platform while maintaining composure.
• Ability to develop strong trusting relationships in order to gain support and achieve results.

As a member of the McCarthy team, you will have access to:

• Outstanding benefits from day one, including insurance premiums paid by the Firm and wellness and technology reimbursements.
• Competitive compensation and generous time off, including a day off to volunteer and a day off for your birthday.
• A commitment to professional development and growth opportunities for our people at all levels, supported by a culture that fully embraces and encourages two-way feedback.
• Strong community involvement and a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• A collaborative, cohesive culture that connects lawyers and business teams through collective purpose.