General Manager – Hamilton Office{
Gowling WLG is an international law firm with more than 1,500 client-facing professionals and more than 2,100 business services team members in 19 cities around the world. Gowling WLG delivers in-depth legal advice in key global sectors and a full suite of legal services and innovative solutions to its clients, and is recognized repeatedly as a top employer as a result of its commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and innovation. Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP is the Canadian arm of Gowling WLG and is one of Canada’s leading law firms.
Locally, the firm's roots in Hamilton truly run deep—Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP was the first national law firm to locate in the Hamilton area. Since opening its doors in 1995, the firm has established itself not only as one of the city's prominent providers of legal solutions but also as an important driver of economic activity, innovation and community engagement.
Currently, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP’s Hamilton presence spans two offices and includes almost 50 lawyers and 150 support staff, offering core services in corporate/commercial, advocacy, IP, recovery, real estate & lending, and wills, estates and private client services. The firm has grown consistently year-to-year and recently enhanced its reach by merging with ESB Lawyers, one of the region’s most respected local full-service firms. The firm will be combining its two offices and moving to the McMaster Innovation Park, which will include institutional tenants, start-ups, retail and wellness facilities as well as a daycare centre.
Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP is seeking a General Manager (“GM”) to lead its Hamilton operations. Reporting to the firm’s national Chief Operating Officer, the GM will work strategically with the Office Managing Partner and the Office Management Committee to direct all aspects of the office operations in contribution to the success of the firm. They will empower and coordinate a business services team to ensure appropriate service and support is provided by all functional areas of the office within a matrix organizational structure: finance/accounting, facilities management, human resources, associate and student programs, marketing and business development, and office services.
Immediate priorities will include implementing a post-pandemic operational plan. Additionally, the GM will lead the Firm’s move and immersion into its new purpose-built office at the McMaster Innovation Park. The project will include harmonizing operations between the firm’s two local offices, continuing to build upon its post-merger integration plan, and proactively managing and creating relationships to optimize potential partnerships within the Park’s network.
The ideal candidate is a proven operational leader with a track record of successfully managing an office or multi-departmental division. Experience within a professional services firm or a comparably sophisticated multi-stakeholder environment would be considered an asset as candidates must demonstrate an ability to understand the Firm’s core service areas, the practical and operational nuances between practice groups and the subspecialities within each group.
Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP has successfully integrated GMs from a variety of backgrounds including operations, HR, finance, IT and marketing. A strong grasp of HR, team leadership, change and project management combined with a high EQ will be top priorities for this position. Additionally, it will be an asset for the GM to be fluent in data-driven decision making: gathering, analyzing, and communicating key financial and operational data to inform business approaches and outcomes.
To further strengthen the diversity of the candidate pool for this recruitment, Griffith Group Executive Search and Mosaic Executive search are partnering together. To apply, or explore this key leadership position for Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP’s Hamilton office, please contact Dave Namkung (dave@mosaicsearch.ca), Jane Hill (jhill@mosaicsearch.ca) or Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca). You can also visit https://griffithgroup.ca/gowlingwlggm/
Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP is proud to offer equal employment opportunities, and it is proud to actively encourage equity, diversity, and inclusion in its workplaces. Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP welcomes applications from women, racialized persons, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual and gender identities and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Candidates must therefore indicate in their application if they are a permanent resident or citizen of Canada. In accordance with the provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, Griffith Group Executive Search, and Mosaic Executive Search throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for interviews will be contacted.