As a Manager in Justice Legal Policy Services, you lead and direct a team of legal professionals who develop and implement legal policies within the Department of National Defence. You are responsible for providing strategic legal guidance on matters affecting defence operations, personnel, and organizational governance. Your work ensures that DND policies and practices comply with federal legislation, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and Treasury Board directives. In this role, you balance complex legal considerations with operational needs, often working on issues that have national security implications or affect thousands of Canadian Armed Forces members and civilians. You manage team performance, allocate resources, and maintain professional standards within your legal unit. Your work environment includes collaboration with senior leadership, other government departments, and external legal experts. You may be based in Ottawa or other DND locations, depending on organizational needs.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of justice legal policy services services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the justice legal policy services team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Post-secondary education in the relevant field; supervisory and operational management experience
Training
A Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B.) or equivalent from a recognized Canadian law school is required. You must be a member in good standing with a provincial or territorial law society in Canada. Many managers in this role hold additional qualifications such as a Master of Laws (LL.M.) or specialized certifications in administrative law, constitutional law, or public sector management. DND supports ongoing professional development through continuing legal education programs, management training, and access to government leadership development courses. You are expected to maintain your professional law license and meet annual continuing professional development requirements set by your law society. Strong analytical skills, written and verbal communication abilities, and experience in public sector legal services are essential.
Entry Plans
Entry to this Manager position typically requires prior experience as a legal counsel or senior legal advisor in the federal public service or comparable sector. Most candidates progress through the legal services classification system before reaching managerial levels. You may enter through advertised competitions open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or others with work authorization. Some positions are filled through internal DND competitions or Government of Canada-wide legal services pools. Lateral moves from other federal departments with established legal services (Justice Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat, Global Affairs Canada) are common. Some candidates transition to management after several years as individual contributors within DND Legal Services. The Public Service Commission manages most recruitment processes. Networking with DND legal professionals and staying informed about opportunities through the DND careers portal enhances your chances of finding suitable roles.
Part-Time Options
Part-time arrangements for Manager-level positions in Justice Legal Policy Services are limited but may be negotiated on a case-by-case basis, typically at 80 percent or higher of full-time hours. The managerial nature of this role—requiring direct supervision of staff and participation in senior leadership meetings—makes substantial part-time arrangements uncommon. However, flexible work arrangements such as adjusted daily hours or compressed work weeks may be available depending on operational requirements and team needs. Remote work options have expanded since 2020; many legal policy professionals work from home several days per week, though managers may be expected to be present for in-person team meetings and executive briefings. Specific flexibility depends on your team's workload, your department's policies, and agreements with your manager. Discuss your needs during the hiring process or with your direct supervisor once hired, as accommodations are considered within operational constraints.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
