Director, Faculty Relations

Wilfrid Laurier University; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilfrid Laurier University is inviting applications for the position of Director, Faculty Relations. Reporting to the Provost and CHREO, the Director leads academic labour relations and collective bargaining for full-time faculty, contract teaching faculty, and graduate teaching assistants.

The role provides strategic guidance to ensure fair, compliant practices across academic units and builds collaborative relationships with university leaders, unions, and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in HR, Industrial Relations, Law (JD/LLB) or related field preferred.
• 8–10 years of progressive HR and labour relations experience, including in academia.
• Deep understanding of university faculty employment terms, governance structures.
• Knowledge of the Ontario Labour Relations Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, and related legislation.
• Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigeneity.
• Ability to foster relationships with leadership and union partners.
• Strong analytical, research, and decision-making skills.
• Conflict resolution, mediation, and ADR expertise.
• Excellent communication, writing, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for faculty labour relations, including interpretation, administration, and negotiation of academic collective agreements.
• Lead collective bargaining strategy, mandate development, costing, and advisory support to university bargaining teams.
• Oversee grievance management, arbitration, and dispute resolution, working with legal counsel for fair outcomes.
• Advise academic leadership on complex faculty relations and employment matters in alignment with legislation.
• Drive strategic planning related to academic labour relations and risk identification/mitigation.
• Monitor sector trends, analyze data, and lead program evaluations for decision-making.
• Ensure consistent application of academic policies and governance alignment.
• Foster collaborative relationships with internal leaders, HR, unions, and external stakeholders.
• Lead and develop the Faculty Relations team, including recruitment and development.
• Oversee budget, systems optimization, data governance, and performance monitoring.

Skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Policy interpretation

HR analytics

Education

Master’s degree in HR/IR/Law

Job description

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Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year)

Campus: Waterloo

Reports to: Provost and Vice-President: Academic and the Chief Human Resources and Equity Officer (CHREO)

Employee Group: Management

Requisition ID: 10371

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With acommitment to Indigenization andcommitment to equity, diversity, inclusion , Laurier's thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, aflexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Applications are invited for the position of Director, Faculty Relations to join Wilfrid Laurier University. Reporting jointly to the Provost and Vice-President: Academic and the Chief Human Resources and Equity Officer (CHREO), the Director leads faculty labour relations and collective bargaining while providing strategic guidance to ensure consistent, fair, and collaborative practices across all academic units.

About Wilfrid Laurier University

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With acommitment to Indigenization andcommitment to equity, diversity, inclusion , Laurier's thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, aflexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Position Overview

Reporting jointly to the Provost and Vice-President: Academic and the Chief Human Resources and Equity Officer (CHREO), the Director, Faculty Relations is responsible for leading academic employment and labour relations matters, including administration of collective agreements for full-time faculty, contract teaching faculty, and graduate teaching assistants. This role provides advice and guidance to academic leaders to ensure consistent, fair, and compliant practices across all academic units and fosters collaborative relationships with university colleagues, leaders and union partners. The Director, Faculty Relations oversees a small compliment of team members to execute on this work including a Manager, Faculty Relations, Faculty Relations Specialist, and Faculty Relations Coordinator.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership for faculty labour relations, including interpretation, administration, and negotiation of academic collective agreements.
• Lead collective bargaining strategy, mandate development, costing, and advisory support to university bargaining teams.
• Oversee grievance management, arbitration, and dispute resolution, working closely with legal counsel and ensuring fair and compliant outcomes.
• Advise academic leadership on complex faculty relations, performance management, and employment matters in alignment with legislation and best practices.
• Drive strategic planning related to academic labour relations, including risk identification, mitigation, and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Monitor sector trends, analyze data, and lead program evaluations to inform decision‑making and continuous improvement.
• Ensure consistent application of academic policies and alignment with governance, legislation, and institutional standards.
• Foster collaborative relationships with internal academic leaders, HR colleagues, unions, and external stakeholders, representing the university on key committees and forums.
• Lead, develop, and manage the Faculty Relations team, including recruitment, performance management, and professional development.
• Oversee operational effectiveness, including budget management, systems optimization, data governance, and performance monitoring for faculty relations services.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Law (JD/LLB), or related field preferred.
• Minimum 8-10 years of progressive human resources and labour relations experience, including experience working within an academic environment.
• Deep understanding of university faculty employment terms and conditions, culture, and governance structures
• Knowledge of the Ontario Labour Relations Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, and other relevant legislation.
• Demonstrated commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigeneity.
• Proven ability to foster positive and productive relationships with organizational leadership and union partners.
• Strong analytical, research, and decision‑making skills.
• Proven ability to resolve complex issues, and foster positive labour relations.
• Excellent communication, writing, and presentation skills.
• High level of integrity, judgment, and organizational skills.
• Expertise in conflict resolution, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
• High emotional intelligence and change management capability.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and community engagement skills.

Salary Range:$150k- $180k

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier's core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility.

Wilfrid Laurier University and KBRS will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please [e-mail] [e-mail]