Assistant Director, High Risk, Investigations & Alternative Resolution

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 106,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Toronto seeks an Assistant Director for High Risk, Investigations & Alternative Resolution. This role includes conducting and overseeing complex investigations related to sexual violence and harassment, developing alternative resolution pathways, and advising university senior administration on case management and safety matters. Candidates must have at least eight years of relevant experience and a strong background in trauma-informed practices and policy interpretation. Commitment to equity and diversity is essential.

Benefits

Excellent benefits

Pension plan

Qualifications

• Minimum eight years of recent experience in investigations regarding sexual violence.
• Experience in policy development and interpretation.
• Proven commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and oversee investigations related to sexual violence and harassment.
• Develop and implement alternative resolution pathways.
• Collaborate with multiple university departments on safety matters.

Skills

Trauma-informed investigations

Alternative resolutions/mediations

Strong oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor degree

Graduate level university degree in a related field

Job description

Assistant Director, High Risk, Investigations & Alternative Resolution

Date Posted: 12/17/2025
Req ID: 46421
Faculty/Division: People Strategy, Equity & Culture
Department: People Strategy, Equity & Culture
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

The Office of Safety and High Risk at the University of Toronto is a high-performance, award-winning office, mandated to address high-risk and safety concerns related to university community members and institutional reputation. As part of this dynamic team, the incumbent will assume a key leadership role at a world-renowned university. This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a complex field, supported by excellent benefits and a pension plan that promotes long-term professional and personal well‑being.

Under the general direction of the Director, High Risk, Investigations, and Divisional Support and the Director, High Risk, Community Safety & CEP, the incumbent assesses reports, develops investigative plans, conducts investigations, and produces final investigative reports for high‑risk sexual violence related matters and other ad hoc issues. The incumbent is also responsible for the development and implementation of alternative resolution pathways, which would be considered and utilized dependent on the case.

Specifically, investigative types include, but are not limited to, High Risk Code of Student Conduct, Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, and Protocol on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Complaints involving faculty members and students of the University of Toronto arising in Independent Research Institutions, Health Care Institutions and Teaching Agencies, Workplace Violence, etc.

Additionally, the incumbent acts as an expert consultant and support for cases in which they are not the investigator and/or there are no identified or perceived conflicts of interest. This also includes developing training sessions and materials for Central and Divisional Investigating Officers, under the Code of Student Conduct.

Working closely with the Directors, the incumbent resolves high‑risk matters involving students, staff, faculty/librarians and other community members, and advises members of the senior administration on the University’s response to complex case issues including investigations, workplace safety matters, violence risk, threats and mental health concerns and ensures that subsequent case management is compliant with all applicable policies, protocols, and legislative frameworks. The incumbent is responsible for assessing case management needs and the jurisdiction of multiple policies within the legislative framework to determine and make appropriate referrals for support and case management recommendations, identifying and communicating points that require institutional decision making and approvals.

The incumbent develops relationships with senior academic leaders and service providers across the University and is expected to exercise excellent judgment and professional discretion in all matters, consulting with the appropriate individuals as needed.

The incumbent acts as a liaison between the Office of Vice‑Provost, Students the Office of Safety and High Risk and the leadership of the faculty or department where the concern is presenting, providing high‑level case briefings, comprehensive case management, consultation, and advice on managing and mitigating a variety of risks of harm, and to ensure that key stakeholders are kept apprised of that status of cases within their jurisdiction.

In addition to working knowledge of the Ontario Human Rights Code, Bill 132, Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Mental Health Act and the Criminal Code of Canada, the incumbent is familiar with the University of Toronto, Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (the Policy), Code of Student Conduct, Supportive Leaves Policy, Residence Codes, Athletics Codes, Human Resources Guideline on Civil Conduct, The Guideline for Employees on Concerns and Complaints Regarding Prohibited Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment, Conflict of Interest, Professional Standards for Faculty and the University of Toronto Workplace Violence Program, Protocol on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Complaints involving faculty members and students of the University of Toronto arising in Independent Research Institutions, Health Care Institutions and Teaching Agencies, Workplace Violence, etc.

The incumbent works collaboratively with the offices of Campus Safety/Toronto Police Service/Peel Regional Police, Community Safety Office, Human Resources, Labour Relations, Workplace Investigations, Office of the University Counsel, Communications, Office of the Vice Provost, Students, Office of the Vice‑Provost, Faculty, Sexual Violence Strategy, and other central University offices.

The incumbent maintains, detailed, secure, and confidential case records, which adhere to all University retention and FIPPA policies.

This role requires the completion of formal training (certificate/degree) in alternative dispute resolutions/mediation and experience.

Qualifications Required:

I. EDUCATION:

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or Juris Doctor degree is preferred. A graduate level university degree in a related field (e.g., social work, psychology, public health, criminology), or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience will be considered, including experience in policing, or work at another organization where the primary role was focused on investigations and alternate resolutions.

II. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Minimum eight (8) years of recent experience in conducting trauma‑informed investigations, alternative resolutions/mediations including but not limited to those in relation to sexual violence and sexual harassment.

• Effectively managing multiple investigative files at one time, in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience with alternative resolution pathways, including the facilitation of mediation processes.
• Strong organizational skills, including the organization and review of large amounts of data/files and evidence.
• The ability to review, analyze and distill large amount of information into clear and concise reports and summaries.
• Exceptionally strong report‑writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate executive summaries and detailed reports.
• Exceptionally strong oral skills, with the ability to provide clear and concise case summaries/factual findings to committees.
• Experience in policy development and interpretation.
• Strong legal background/understanding and experience working with/within post‑secondary education institutions is essential for this role.
• Expert understanding of both criminal and court processes.
• Experience with navigating parallel criminal investigations occurring alongside institutional investigations.
• Extensive experience working with diverse populations including demonstrated effective consultation skills with designated groups.
• Familiarity with a University environment. Familiarity with relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act, OHRC, CCC.
• Experience leading and conducting investigations.

Related experience in a university or public sector setting with a combination of managing and providing consultation to senior leaders on matters of workplace safety, with a combination of applied experience in complex case management, investigations/policy processes, crisis counselling, mediation, crisis intervention, violence risk assessment, and community development projects related to violence prevention/education and participation in the development of training workshops and public education. Experience in the areas of student life and academic administration are an asset.

III. SKILLS:

Proven commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion with a continued commitment to learning and improvement. Excellent oral and written communication skills, a demonstrated ability to assist individuals in crisis; a demonstrated ability to work with individuals dealing with violence and trauma. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. Ability to exercise patience, tact, diplomacy, and discretion. Ability to strategize, develop and deliver effective presentations. Ability to relate to students, staff, and faculty that build trust and confidence; Applied computer skills and proficiency with computer applications (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.); ability to work across different portfolios and disciplines, adept at managing equitable participation between people, achieving resolution when conflicts arise. Knowledge of ROSI (Repository of Student Information) is an asset.

IV. OTHER:

Highly developed oral and written communication, analytical, relationship management and organizational skills. Demonstrated collaborative approach to problem solving. Ability to make sound decisions quickly based on available and sometimes limited information, and to take prompt, decisive action. Demonstrated ability to interact and collaborate with individuals at all levels within the University as well as externally, including students, staff, faculty and community partners. Ability to deal with senior University Officers in a manner which facilitates cooperation. High degree of political acuity and judgment. Flexible listener. Ability to work independently and as part of a multi‑disciplinary team. Ability to manage and resolve escalated conflicts and complaints. Demonstrated ability to act calmly under pressure and to deal effectively and efficiently with stressful and emergency situations. Must embrace diversity and inclusion as an integral component of a quality university experience. Ability to produce detailed and comprehensive reports from a large volume of complex information.

NOTE: THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT MUST RECEIVE A TORONTO POLICE SECURITY CLEARANCE AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYEMENT.

Closing Date: 01/09/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Personnel Subarea: PM
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full‑Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 4 – Hiring Zone: $106,705 - $124,491 – Broadband Salary Range: $106,705 - $177,843
Job Category: People Strategy, Equity & Culture

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see https://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail].