Director, Human Rights Office

University of Ottawa; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 162,000 - 202,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Ottawa seeks a senior leader to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion across the university, guiding policy, training, and complaint resolution. This role reports to the Secretary-General and shapes an inclusive culture within the campus community.

Responsibilities include advising senior management, developing regulations, and handling complex, confidential cases under federal and provincial law, while promoting safe, respectful environments for faculty, students, and staff.

Qualifications

• Law degree plus a master’s degree or certification in related field.
• 10+ years of work experience in human rights or labour law.
• Certification or experience in mediation or dispute resolution.
• Over 10 years in conflict resolution, including active listening and crisis intervention.
• Experience handling confidential, complex complaints under HR Code and OHS Act.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational guidance to senior management on equity and inclusion.
• Develop regulations and procedures to foster inclusive culture and prevent harassment, discrimination, and violence.
• Advise the university community in complaints or conflicts; write reports and issue recommendations.
• Review current regulations to ensure compliance with legislation and update as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Conflict resolution

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Bilingualism

Education

Law degree (LLL/LLB/JD)

Master's degree or certification

Mediation certification

Job description

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Posting Reason:

Replacement of a regular position

Job Type:

Employee

Job Family:

Student and Campus Support

Faculty/Service - Department:

Office of the Secretary General

Campus:

Main Campus

Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD):

2026/10/15

Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD):

2026/10/26

Salary Grade:

Non-Union Grade NM5

Salary Range:

$161546,00 - $201932,00

Position purpose:

Under the direction of the Secretary-General, acts as the University’s senior adviser, expert, and leader in equity, diversity, and inclusion. Ensures that complaints are processed and that the University policy on student rights and responsible conduct is properly managed. Promotes and maintains a healthy and safe learning environment and an equitable and inclusive workplace. Leverages their expertise and leadership skills to ensure that the University meets its goals in these fields and responds appropriately to various issues. Ensures that the University complies with all current federal and provincial legislation, designs new regulations and procedures, offers expert advice when conflicts arise, and adds to the training and continuing education of members of the University community.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Provides strategic and operational guidance to senior management and University leaders to assist them in taking decisions on issues related to equity and inclusion, particularly in terms of preserving employment equity and preventing harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence, to ensure that the University is well-positioned on these issues.
• Guides the strategic planning and development of activities related to equity, inclusion, and the prevention of harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence at the University (including regulations, procedures, and practices) in order to foster an inclusive organizational culture and environment that benefits the entire University community (professors, support staff, students, and visitors).
• Provides advice and expertise to the entire University community (professors, students, support staff) in cases of complaints or conflict, analyzes complex situations, manages complaints, writes reports that comply with applicable laws, and issues recommendations to resolve complaints or conflicts, or proposes other resources.
• Directs the review of current regulations to ensure that they comply with current legislation, and changes or elaborates regulations and procedures as required.

What you will bring:

• University education in law (LLL, LLB, or JD) in combination with a master’s degree or certification.
• Over 10 years’ work experience in the field of human rights and/or labour law.
• Certification or experience in mediation and other dispute resolution methods.
• Over 10 years’ direct and intensive experience in conflict resolution, including active listening, mediation, and crisis intervention.
• Appreciable experience (10 years’) in investigatory techniques and in investigating and processing highly confidential, complex complaints involving harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence (Human Rights Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act), and in seeking positive outcomes.
• Strong personnel management skills
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
• Knowledge of university environments
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills
• Self-reliance, diplomacy and tact
• Bilingualism

*This position may be eligible for a telework arrangement.

#LI-Hybrid

The University of Ottawa is committed to ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion in the scholarly and leadership environments of our students, staff, and faculty. Accordingly, we strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples in Canada, visible minorities members (racialized persons), persons with disabilities, women, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with equitable, diverse, and inclusive communities. Candidates who wish to be considered as a member of one or more designated groups are asked to complete the confidential Self-Identification Questionnaire, to be completed at the time of application.

The University of Ottawa provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you are invited to proceed in the selection process, please notify us of any accommodations that you require by contacting the Office of the Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations by email at [e-mail]. Any information you send us will be handled respectfully and in complete confidence.

The University of Ottawa is proud of its 160-year tradition of bilingualism. Through its Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute, the University provides training to staff members and to their spouses in their second official language.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.