Associate General Counsel - Investigations

UOW; Windsor; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Windsor is seeking an Associate General Counsel – Investigations to oversee workplace investigations and provide legal counsel on HR matters. Applicants should possess a JD or LLB, experience in conflict management, and strong communication skills. The role involves leading investigations, advising management, and contributing to policy development. This position comes with extensive benefits, and applicants are encouraged to apply by January 7, 2026.

Benefits

Health & Dental Benefits

Pension Plan

Tuition Remission

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

UWC Fitness Centre Membership

Employee Discounts

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of experience in human resources, ideally public-sector.
• Experience in workplace policy regarding bullying and harassment.
• Ability to lead comprehensive investigations into complaints.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations and provide expert recommendations.
• Advise on HR matters and develop policies.
• Participate in committees and support institutional goals.

Skills

Workplace investigations

Labour relations

Conflict management

Strong communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Power Point)

Job description

Position Title

Associate General Counsel – Investigations

Department

Office of Legal Services

University Overview

The University of Windsor is a globally relevant, regionally focused university located on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations. It welcomes over 16,000 students across 8 academic faculties and is a partner in cross‑border collaborations with leading American universities.

Why Join

We are committed to creating an exceptional employee experience grounded in well‑being, professional growth, and work–life balance. As a valued member of our community, you will have access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family, including:

• Health & Dental Benefits – extensive coverage for preventative care and ongoing health needs.
• Out‑of‑Province/Out‑of‑Country Coverage – travel protection beyond Ontario.
• Pension Plan – participation in a long‑term financial security plan.
• Tuition Remission – reduced‑cost tuition for yourself and dependents up to age 26.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – confidential support for mental health, family matters, financial planning, and overall well‑being.
• UWC Fitness Centre Membership – complimentary access to state‑of‑the‑art fitness and recreation facilities on campus.
• Employee Discounts – exclusive savings across a variety of vendor and community programs.

Position Description

The Investigation Counsel will play a vital role in the university’s framework addressing complaints and supporting the HR department. The investigative case load will be substantial, and the role will require a true neutral ensuring procedural fairness as the role will be responsible for determining credibility and making findings of fact.

On the counsel side, the role will be responsible to provide advice and guidance to the HR department and to other members of the leadership team in respect of both union and non‑union staff. This will include representing the organization at bargaining, arbitration, and tribunals, and determining the best negotiating and litigation approach to execute instructions while at the same time providing the advice to help inform those instructions. Errors in advice and strategy will result in legal consequences including litigation, grievances, and cost.

Key Job Functions

• Workplace Investigation – Lead and conduct comprehensive investigations into complaints (harassment, discrimination, workplace violence, sexual misconduct), provide expert recommendations, develop investigation strategies, and offer strategic support to the centralized complaints function.
• Legal Counsel – Human Resources Matters – Provide expert legal advice on HR matters to HR, senior leadership, and the Board of Governors, participate in labour relations work, develop HR policies and deliver training and orientation sessions for academic and non‑academic leadership.
• University Service and Ancillary Duties – Participate in internal and external committees, support special projects and assignments that advance departmental and institutional goals, and represent Human Resources in collaborative activities that strengthen campus relationships.

Essential Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized and accredited university.
• Called to the bar in Ontario and a member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience focused on human resources, labour relations, and conflict management, ideally in a public‑sector or institutional environment.
• Experience in workplace investigations and the application of workplace policy in respect of bullying and harassment, workplace violence, and discrimination.
• Experience in conducting grievances, negotiation, and arbitration.
• Experience in human resources policy development and review.
• In‑depth knowledge of human rights, labour and employment law principles and jurisprudence and remaining current with all legal and best‑practices development.
• Ability to develop creative and practical solutions and provide effective legal advice in labour and employment matters of significant complexity and risk exposure.
• Excellent judgment and leadership skill, both personal and professional.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to interact and collaborate well with individuals at various levels and from various backgrounds and disciplines within the institution.
• Strong organizational and case management skills.
• Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team environment.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook and Power Point).
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity and proven ability to deal effectively with a diverse student, staff and faculty population.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a higher‑education or other public institutional setting.
• Understanding of enterprise and fraud risk management principles.
• Administrative law and tribunal experience.
• Training and certification in investigating allegations of sexual violence.

EEO Statement

In pursuit of the University’s commitment to employment equity, members from the designated groups including women, Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), racialized persons/visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity are encouraged to apply and to self‑identify. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Employment Coordinator ([e-mail]).

Application Deadline

Applicants are requested to apply on or before January 7, 2026 at 4:00 PM.

Additional Information

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Applications submitted through employment agencies will not be considered. We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in the University of Windsor.