UHN is Canada’s #1 hospital and the world’s #1 publicly funded hospital. With 10 sites and more than 44,000 TeamUHN members, UHN consists of Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, The Michener Institute of Education and West Park Healthcare Centre. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of biomedical research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. UHN has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in neurosciences, cardiology, transplantation, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. UHN is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

UHN’s vision is to build A Healthier World and it’s only because of the talented and dedicated people who work here that we are continually bringing that vision closer to reality.

www.uhn.ca

Union: Non-Union
Number of vacancies: 1
Site: Toronto General Hospital
Department: People & Culture, Legal Affairs
Reports to: Senior Director, Labour and Employment Counsel
Hours: 37.5 per week
Status: Permanent Full-Time
Closing Date: October 24, 2025

Position Summary

Reporting to both the Legal Affairs and People & Culture departments, this Legal Counsel position plays a critical role in supporting UHN by providing trusted legal expertise and guidance to leaders across the organization. As a valued member of the Legal team, the Counsel helps safeguard UHN’s legal and reputational interests, while ensuring alignment with the hospital’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.

Duties

• Provide expert legal advice on complex labour, employment, and human rights matters across UHN.
• Partner with the Labour Relations Department to ensure compliance with legislation, collective agreements, and best practices.
• Draft, review, and negotiate labour and employment-related agreements, policies, and legal documents aligned with UHN’s strategic priorities.
• Represent UHN at grievance arbitrations, mediations, labour board, and human rights tribunal hearings.
• Manage litigation throughout the claim life cycle, including oversight of external counsel, preparation of documents, attendance at proceedings, and proactive advice to mitigate risk.
• Prepare legal opinions and conduct research for senior leadership on complex labour and employment law matters.
• Deliver legal education and training to staff, and remain current on legislative developments and emerging health law issues.
• Collaborate across departments to support UHN’s mission and strategic priorities, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of legal services.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL.B. or J.D.) or recognized equivalent.
• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressive experience in labour and employment law, including:
  • Collective agreement interpretation and administration
  • Grievance handling and arbitration
  • Experience in unionized workplace settings
• Demonstrated experience representing organizations at tribunals and hearings.
• Strong foundation in employment law and related HR matters.
• Excellent legal research, analysis, and opinion writing skills.
• Skilled negotiation skills with strong interpersonal and communication abilities to explain complex legal concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ability to apply strategic thinking with the ability to balance legal risk with practical, business-oriented solutions.
• Collaborative and relationship-focused approach, able to work effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Sound professional judgment with tact, discretion, diplomacy, and political acuity.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and handle sensitive matters with professionalism in a dynamic healthcare environment.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and excellence in legal practice.

Why join UHN?

In addition to working alongside some of the most talented and inspiring healthcare professionals in the world, UHN offers a wide range of benefits, programs and perks. It is the comprehensiveness of these offerings that makes it a differentiating factor, allowing you to find value where it matters most to you, now and throughout your career at UHN.

• Competitive offer packages
• Government organization and a member of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP https://hoopp.com/)
• Close access to Transit and UHN shuttle service
• A flexible work environment
• Opportunities for development and promotions within a large organization
• Additional perks (multiple corporate discounts including: travel, restaurants, parking, phone plans, auto insurance discounts, on-site gyms, etc.)

Current UHN employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, have a good employee record along with satisfactory attendance in accordance with UHN's attendance management program, to be eligible for consideration.

All applications must be submitted before the posting close date.

UHN uses email to communicate with selected candidates.  Please ensure you check your email regularly.

Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate. Should it be determined that any information provided by a candidate be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, UHN reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of their application.

UHN is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive recruitment process and workplace. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their requirements known.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.