Director, Legal Affairs

Polytechnique Montréal is proud to be part of "100 Best Employers in Montreal" by Mediacorp 2026

Polytechnique Montréal is an internationally renowned engineering university. Located on Mount Royal, in the heart of Montreal, it stands out for its multidisciplinary and multisectoral research of excellence on the local, national, and international scene, and for the high quality of education offered at all levels.

Famous for its 150 years of history, it currently welcomes over 10,000 students and relies on the expertise of nearly 1,600 people with diverse skills, including over 300 professors.

Certified STARS, Gold level, in sustainable development, Polytechnique stands out for its cutting-edge advancements and its active role in technological, environmental, economic, and social development. It values the diversity of its staff members and implements an employment equity program targeting women, visible and ethnic minorities, Indigenous people, and people with disabilities. Having received the Gold Gender Equality Governance certification, it offers excellent working conditions, particularly focusing on work-life balance and the well-being of its employees.

Under the direction of the Secretary General, the person sought is responsible for all legal affairs of Polytechnique Montréal, while effectively managing the human, material, and financial resources of their department. They play a strategic advisory role on legal, contractual, and regulatory issues, while ensuring the management of mandates entrusted to external lawyers. They draft legal opinions, negotiate and validate various types of contracts, represent the institution before appropriate bodies, and ensure compliance with the regulatory framework. They also play a key role in internal and interuniversity committees, as well as in the processing of access to information requests.

Main Responsibilities

Legal Affairs Management

• Plans, directs, and controls all legal activities of Polytechnique;
• Coordinates mandates and ensures appropriate follow-ups for cases entrusted to external lawyers;
• Negotiates contractual agreements on behalf of Polytechnique and advises the management, department heads, and service directors on contractual matters;
• Drafts, reviews, and validates, as needed, contract projects of all kinds, including procurement, professional services, construction, and leasing, and ensures their compliance with the law and Polytechnique's regulatory framework;
• For all other contracts, develops and is responsible for the content of standard contracts used by units;
• Represents Polytechnique before judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative courts;
• Coordinates the activities of the student disciplinary committee's secretariat and ensures the development of necessary tools for its proper functioning (schedules, mandatory document templates, process implementation);
• Ensures the analysis and processing of access to information requests made under the Access to Information Act and the Personal Information Protection Act;
• Represents Polytechnique within working groups, committees, or subcommittees such as the subcommittee of legal advisors of the Interuniversity Cooperation Bureau (ICB);
• Drafts and maintains up-to-date the regulatory framework documents (regulations, policies, directives, and procedures) of Polytechnique, in collaboration with concerned services.
• Advisory Role, Professional Support, and Liaison
• Advises the management of Polytechnique, department heads, and service directors on legal matters, raises awareness of potential legal risks, and informs executives, managers, and staff;
• Coordinates mandates and ensures appropriate follow-ups for cases entrusted to external lawyers;
• Analyzes applicable law and drafts legal opinions on matters of interest to Polytechnique;
• Conducts legal research and informs concerned parties.
• Personal Information Protection and Emerging Technologies
• Supports the Secretary General in the exercise of institutional responsibilities in personal information protection and access to information;
• Coordinates the implementation of Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) at the legal level and advises units on identifying and mitigating legal risks related to the collection, use, disclosure, and retention of personal information;
• Accompanies Polytechnique's units regarding legal issues associated with digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and information management;
• Brings legal expertise to institutional initiatives related to information management and governance, in collaboration with responsible units;
• Conducts strategic monitoring of legal and regulatory developments in personal information protection, access to information, and artificial intelligence.
• Human and Financial Resource Management
• Directs human resources and ensures efficient management of material and financial resources under their responsibility;
• In collaboration with the Secretary General, prepares the annual work plan for their sector and ensures that it supports Polytechnique's mission and contributes to achieving its strategic objectives;
• Ensures the implementation of the annual work plan;
• Participates in the selection of personnel under their responsibility, initiates them to their work, assists them in performing their tasks by setting specific objectives, supervises them, and promotes the development of their skills;
• In accordance with the objectives set by the Secretary General, evaluates and verifies the work results of their team and makes necessary corrections, if any;
• Is responsible for maintaining a healthy and harmonious work environment in compliance with applicable rules, policies, agreements, and protocols, as well as health and safety at work regulations;
• Develops and manages the budget and human resources of their department in accordance with institutional priorities;
• Ensures that personnel under their responsibility keep their knowledge up-to-date in their fields of activity, particularly to maintain their adherence to professional orders.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in the legal field.
• Member in good standing of the Quebec Bar or the Quebec Notaries Public.

Experience

• Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience, preferably in an academic environment, including team management.
• Desired Skills and Qualities
• Proficiency with various computer management systems.
• Mastery of spoken and written French. Good knowledge of spoken and written English to interact with non-French-speaking community members.
• Ability to manage priorities.
• Strong synthesis skills.
• Excellent analytical and detail-oriented skills.
• Ability to handle diverse, confidential, or litigious cases involving numerous stakeholders.
• Autonomous in the performance of their duties.
• Salary

Class 6 (from $119,207 to $168,709).

Benefits of working at polytechnique montréal

• 23 annual vacation days
• 16 public holidays
• Social and parental leave
• Reduced work schedule during the summer period
• Possibility of hybrid work (remote/on-site)
• On-site daycare (CPE Les petits génies)
• Employee assistance program and Telemedicine Service
• Dynamic work-life quality and training and development programs
• Comprehensive collective insurance and defined benefit pension plans
• Work Schedule
• Full-time position.
• 5 days/week.

Please note that in-person interviews will take place towards the end of August and the beginning of September.

Application Process

If this position interests you, please submit your application to the Talents and Culture Service by clicking the "APPLY NOW" button.

The University is committed to an employment equity program. Therefore, it invites women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and members of ethnic minorities to apply.