Why Guelph:
What we offer
We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:
Key duties and responsibilities
Qualifications and requirements
Hours of work
35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m and 4:30 p.m. This position is eligible for hybrid and flexible work arrangement options (as per current corporate policy).
Pay/Salary
Non-Union Grade 8: $117,673.92-$147,092.40
How to apply
Qualified applicants are invited to apply using our online application system by August 7, 2025. Please note all applicants must complete the online questionnaire specific to this position at the time they submit their resume and cover letter in order to be considered.
The City of Guelph is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where employees feel welcome, valued and engaged. Our employment policies strictly prohibit all forms of discrimination on any of the grounds in relevant laws. All employment practices are solely based on individual merit, qualifications, and organization's needs at the time. In keeping with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, we are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals in our job application procedures. If you need an accommodation in order to participate in the hiring process, you may contact us to make your needs known in advance.
Personal information collected through the recruitment process will be used solely to determine eligibility for employment. We thank all candidates in advance; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.
When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities within our organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.
What we offer
We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:
- Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service• Paid personal days;
- Hybrid and flexible work arrangements;
- Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching;
- Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account;
- Employee and Family Assistance Program;
- Parental leave top up program;
- Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
- Employee recognition programs.
Resumes are being accepted for the position of Manager, Realty Services / Associate Solicitor Real Estate and Development in the Legal and Court Services Department within the Corporate Services service area. Reporting to the City Solicitor, you will provide legal representation and strategic advice to City Council and City Departments regarding real estate and development matters. This is an exciting role with opportunities to gain exposure to the businesses of an innovative, progressive municipality.
Key duties and responsibilities
- Contribute to the long-term strategic direction for the Realty Services department aligned with the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and the service area business direction.
- Ensure the effective and efficient operation of the department and explore opportunities to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery to the organization and external customers.
- Lead and manage a staff consisting of a Realty Specialist, a Realty Law Clerk and a Legal Assistant, ensuring compliance with City of Guelph policies and procedures, industry regulations and best practices.
- Provide leadership to staff within the department by fostering positive relationships; establish objectives and evaluate performance; monitor results and provide coaching, training and development opportunities as needed.
- Develop and implement a business plan and annual work plan for the department aligned with corporate strategic objectives.
- Provide input on the capital and operating budgets; monitor Realty Services’ portions of the departmental budget, including revenue forecasting, management and oversight of expenses, and establishment and updates of user fees; and provide input on variance reporting.
- Work collaboratively with other leaders in the organization to ensure that the activities and programs of the department align with and advance organizational initiatives, strategies and priorities.
- Participate in cross-functional teams for City projects and provide strategic legal advice on complex commercial real estate, development, construction and strategic projects.
- Negotiate and complete acquisitions and dispositions of City property, including fee simple purchase and sale, leases, easements, and transfers arising from development.
- Provide legal advice and opinions on land development matters, including drafting and negotiating development agreements, site plan control agreements, subdivision agreements.
- Provide legal advice and opinions on major construction and infrastructure projects and housing-enabling initiatives, such as municipal services and financing agreements, community improvement plan agreements, grants and special projects.
- Negotiate, prepare and review contracts, by-laws, policies and other legal documents related to municipal, real estate, land development and construction law.
- Develop and maintain precedent bank of contracts and agreements.
- Negotiate with external groups, lawyers, government bodies and others.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to determine appropriate legal structures and instruments to achieve goals and objectives of client departments, including assessment of likely outcomes.
- Retain and manage external specialists/consultants as required to provide service to the organization.
- Review and update realty-related municipal by-laws, as well as City policies relating to acquisition and disposition of interests in real property.
- Respond to and address questions/concerns from members of the public on realty-related matters, including encroachments, easements, permission to enter and mitigation measures in connection with municipal infrastructure projects.
- Respond verbally and in writing regarding issues related to the department’s service delivery from members of Council, the general public, media, other staff, departments, and customers.
- Provide information and advice to members of Council in connection with constituent questions or concerns and participate in public meetings.
- Support City departments to plan and implement major projects, including those with material impacts to the community, private property, and use and access of public property.
- Prepare and review Council and Committee reports, and attend meetings as required.
- Identify and explain risk and advise on risk transfer and mitigation.
- Perform other duties and undertake special projects as assigned.
Qualifications and requirements
- Bachelor of Law degree (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor (JD).
- Licensed to practice law in Ontario; member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
- Extensive experience in commercial real estate, land development law, and complex project leadership involving interdisciplinary teams.
- Proven success managing professional teams in a public sector or legal setting.
- Excellent customer service skills with the ability to resolve inquiries in an effective manner.
- Proficient in drafting, negotiating, and managing legal agreements, including leases, site plan agreements, subdivision agreements, and development-related contracts.
- Demonstrated ability to review and assess engineering documentation and property appraisals in the context of real estate and land development.
- Considerable knowledge and understanding of the Municipal Act and real estate and land development statutes, regulations and by-laws.
- Exceptional research, analytical, and organizational skills with capacity to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
- Strategic thinker and innovative problem-solver with a pragmatic approach to complex or sensitive issues.
- Strong negotiation, political acuity, and business acumen to support organizational goals and service delivery.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and collaborate across diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills that foster a positive work environment and high-performance culture.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of staff, stakeholders, elected officials, public, and media.
- Committed to delivering high-quality customer service and resolving inquiries with professionalism and tact.
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).
- Experience working on complex real estate developments, P3 initiatives, construction projects, or expropriation matters considered an asset.
- Experience with corporate/commercial, construction, procurement, and/or municipal law considered an asset.
Hours of work
35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m and 4:30 p.m. This position is eligible for hybrid and flexible work arrangement options (as per current corporate policy).
Pay/Salary
Non-Union Grade 8: $117,673.92-$147,092.40
How to apply
Qualified applicants are invited to apply using our online application system by August 7, 2025. Please note all applicants must complete the online questionnaire specific to this position at the time they submit their resume and cover letter in order to be considered.
The City of Guelph is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where employees feel welcome, valued and engaged. Our employment policies strictly prohibit all forms of discrimination on any of the grounds in relevant laws. All employment practices are solely based on individual merit, qualifications, and organization's needs at the time. In keeping with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, we are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals in our job application procedures. If you need an accommodation in order to participate in the hiring process, you may contact us to make your needs known in advance.
Personal information collected through the recruitment process will be used solely to determine eligibility for employment. We thank all candidates in advance; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.
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