Head, Legal Services

The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) is hiring for the position of Head, Legal Services — with one permanent opportunity available for immediate start.

We are seeking a seasoned litigator with strong advocacy experience to lead the organizations legal function in support of RECO’s consumer protection mandate.

About RECO

As Ontario’s regulator of more than 110,000 real estate agents and brokerages (often referred to as registrants), RECO administers and enforces the law that regulates trading in real estate in Ontario and enhances consumer confidence in the real estate services sector. RECO’s commitment to pursuing trust in every transaction means consumers can navigate the real estate market with confidence. 

A modern regulator with approximately 170 employees, RECO is a collegial and dynamic environment where strategic agility, curiosity and empathy are valued.

Hybrid work environment

RECO has a ‘hybrid’ environment, which typically includes a minimum attendance in the office of two days per week, with some teams/positions requiring more frequent in-office attendance.

RECO’s commitment to diversity and inclusion: They aren’t just words to us!

RECO is committed to promoting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that includes awareness, education, and engagement-building opportunities for all employees.

The role

The Head, Legal Services serves as RECO’s senior legal authority, responsible for the strategic leadership, governance, and operational oversight of the organization’s full legal function.

This role integrates litigation, enforcement, investigations, prosecutions, and enterprise legal advisory services into a unified legal framework that supports RECO’s regulatory mandate and organizational priorities. Acting as General Counsel, this role also provides expert legal advice to the CEO, Executive Team, and Board, ensuring the organization effectively identifies, manages, and mitigates legal risk across all areas of operation.

Through leadership of a multi-disciplinary team of legal counsel, managers, investigators, and support staff, this role ensures the delivery of high-quality legal services, consistent legal standards, and a proactive, risk-informed approach to regulation, governance, and decision-making.

Position responsibilities

Enterprise Legal & Governance Support

• Establish and lead RECO’s enterprise legal strategy aligned with its regulatory mandate and strategic priorities
• In partnership with Chief Strategy & Corporate Officer, act as the legal advisor to the CEO, Registrar, Executive Team, and Board on all corporate legal and governance matters including Board and Committee support, by-laws, and governance frameworks
• Ensure the organization maintains a robust legal risk management framework across all operations. 

Litigation, Enforcement & Regulatory Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of all regulatory, litigation, discipline, registration, and enforcement matters, including high-risk and precedent-setting cases
• Ensure litigation and enforcement strategies align with RECO’s mandate, policies, and risk tolerance
• Oversee prosecutions under the Provincial Offences Act and representation before courts, tribunals, and appellate bodies
• Monitor legal and enforcement outcomes, trends, and risks to inform strategy, policy, and regulatory response. 

Corporate, Commercial & Advisory Legal Service

• Oversee the provision of legal advice across all business areas, including regulatory, corporate, operational, and strategic initiatives
• Provide legal oversight on contracts, procurement, and third-party/vendor agreements
• Advise on employment, privacy, data protection, and corporate compliance matters
• Ensure consistency, quality, and risk alignment of all legal advice, opinions, and documentation.

Legal Risk & Compliance Management

• Identify, assess, and manage enterprise-wide legal risks, including regulatory, operational, reputational, and compliance risks
• Develop proactive legal strategies to mitigate risk and support organizational resilience
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, professional standards, and regulatory obligations
• Support enterprise risk management initiatives in collaboration with senior leadership

People Leadership & Practice Management

• Lead and develop a high-performing, integrated legal team, including Managers, Legal Counsel, investigators, and support staff
• Establish strong practice management standards, including file oversight, legal strategy alignment, and advocacy quality
• Drive talent development, succession planning, and a culture of continuous learning and professional excellence
• Oversee performance management, employee engagement, and workforce planning.

Operational & Service Delivery Oversight

• Oversee legal operations, including intake, triage, prioritization, and assignment of legal matters
• Ensure effective resource allocation and workload management across litigation, enforcement, and advisory functions
• Maintain compliance with court deadlines, service standards, and professional obligations
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and service quality.

Investigations & Enforcement Integration

• Provide oversight of investigative functions and ensure alignment with enforcement and litigation strategy
• Ensure consistent investigative standards, evidence handling, and procedural fairness
• Integrate investigative and legal insights to strengthen enforcement outcomes and regulatory effectiveness.

Data, Analytics & Strategic Insight

• Leverage legal and enforcement data to identify trends, systemic risks, and opportunities for regulatory improvement
• Provide strategic insights and reporting to executive leadership and the Board Support evidence-based decision-making across enforcement, policy, and organizational strategy

Stakeholder Relations & Representation

• Serve as RECO’s senior legal representative with external stakeholders, including regulators, government bodies, and the legal community
• Represent the organization in legal proceedings, consultations, and professional forums as required
• Foster strong internal partnerships to support integrated regulatory and organizational outcomes

Qualifications and experience

• Minimum 15+ years of progressive legal experience, including significant leadership responsibility in regulatory, administrative, litigation, or in-house counsel environments
• Demonstrated experience operating at a senior legal leadership level
• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario
• Deep expertise in regulatory law, administrative law, litigation, enforcement, and corporate governance
• Experience advising executive leadership and Boards on legal risk, governance, and strategic matters
• Strong understanding of enterprise risk management, compliance, and governance frameworks. 

Core competencies

• Enterprise leadership and strategic orientation
• Advanced legal expertise and judgment
• Governance and risk management
• People leadership and organizational development
• Operational excellence and decision-making
• Stakeholder influence and executive communication

Why work for RECO?

Working at RECO means contributing to an organization that supports a fair, transparent, and consumer-focused real estate marketplace.

What you can expect

• Purpose-driven work: Your contributions help protect consumers and strengthen one of Ontario’s largest and most important sectors.
• A modern, evolving regulator: We are innovating how we regulate and engage with the real estate sector, and your ideas and expertise will help shape the future.
• Professional growth: We invest in employee development, ongoing learning, and cross-functional exposure.
• Hybrid flexibility: Our hybrid model supports balance, flexibility, and wellbeing.
• Inclusive culture: You’ll work with people who care deeply about doing what’s right and delivering high-quality public service.

Join us

If you’re passionate about meaningful work, eager to grow, and want to make a tangible impact on an industry that touches every Ontarian, RECO is the place to do it.

Apply today and help shape the future of real estate in Ontario.

Posting date: May 6, 2026
Closing date: May 20, 2026
Range: $185,000 - $212,000

Qualified applicants are invited to submit a detailed resume specifically addressing RECO’s needs along with salary expectations to Human Resources at careers@reco.on.ca. 

RECO is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest.