Labour Relations Consultant

University of Waterloo; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Waterloo invites applications for a Senior Labour Relations Advisor. This role provides senior-level expertise to support operational and strategic objectives, advising leaders on complex employee and labour relations matters and promoting consistent agreement interpretation and policy administration.

The position leads grievance handling, investigations, and bargaining support, while strengthening labour-management relationships and mitigating institutional risk across the

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in HR, Business, Law, Industrial Relations.
• Minimum four years of related labour relations experience.
• Strong knowledge of collective agreements and policy interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior labour relations advice to leaders on complex employee matters.
• Support grievance resolution, investigations, and dispute resolution.
• Promote compliant administration of collective agreements and policies.
• Develop bargaining strategies, conduct sector scans and benchmark trends.
• Maintain constructive labour-management relationships and risk mitigation.

Skills

Labour relations

Employee relations

Negotiation

Investigation

Policy interpretation

Change management

Education

Undergraduate degree in HR/Business/Law

CHRP/CHRL preferred

Job description

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day. Learn more about our recruitment process.

Time Type: Full time Employee Group: Staff Job Category: Human Resources Advisory Employment Type: Permanent Department: Human Resources - Labour Relations Hiring Range: $80,248.28 - $100,310.35

Posting Information: This posting is for an existing vacancy. The internal posting deadline for this position is Thursday, October 1 2026, at 11:59PM.

Job Description

Primary Purpose

Provides senior-level labour relations expertise to support the University’s operational and strategic objectives. The position advises leaders on complex employee and labour relations matters, promotes consistent collective agreement and policy administration, supports grievance resolution and collective bargaining, strengthens constructive labour-management relationships, and identifies and mitigates institutional risk. Through sound professional judgment, research, analysis, and collaboration, the role delivers practical and defensible solutions aligned with institutional needs.

Key Accountabilities

Labour Relations Advisory

Provides specialized advice and guidance to leaders on labour relations, collective agreement interpretation, and employee relations matters. Advises on the labour relations implications of organizational change, restructuring, workforce planning, and strategic initiatives.

Grievance, Dispute Resolution, and Case Management

Facilitates the resolution of complex labour and employment matters, including grievances, complaints, workplace disputes, and investigations, in collaboration with employees, leaders, and union or employee association representatives. Supports the University in grievance meetings, mediations, and other dispute resolution processes by preparing and presenting information, recommendations, and supporting documentation. Oversees labour relations case files and ensures records are accurate, complete, confidential, and maintained in accordance with legislative, regulatory, collective agreement, and institutional requirements.

Collective Agreement Administration

Promotes consistent interpretation, application, and administration of collective agreements, policies, and employment practices while supporting compliance and mitigating institutional risk.

Collective Bargaining Support

Provides strategic bargaining support through sector scans, benchmarking, and analysis of labour relations trends, emerging issues, and institutional priorities. Supports the development and evaluation of bargaining proposals, strategies, and collective agreement language through research, analysis, and recommendations aligned with institutional goals. Prepares reports, settlement agreements, bargaining documentation, and related labour relations materials.

Labour Relations Risk Management

Identifies, assesses, and mitigates labour relations risks through proactive consultation, analysis, and recommendations that support compliant and effective employment practices.

Labour-Management Relations

Develops and maintains effective working relationships with unions and their representatives, faculty and staff associations, and leaders to support constructive labour-management relations. Participates in labour relations and other institutional committees as required, providing labour relations expertise and recommendations.

Program, Policy, and Process Improvement

Contributes to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of labour relations policies, programs, practices, and resources. Collaborates with leaders to develop tools, resources, and training that strengthen leadership capability and support effective labour relations administration across the University.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Undergraduate degree specializing in Human Resources, Business, Law, Industrial Relations, or a related field, or an institutionally recognized equivalent combination of education and experience. Formal education in Industrial Relations is preferred. Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) or Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum four years of related work experience, preferably in a unionized post-secondary environment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong labour and employee relations expertise, including collective agreement and policy interpretation, risk and issue management, workforce planning, organizational design, change management, and conflict resolution. Strong consultation, negotiation, investigation, and conflict-management skills, with the ability to provide strategic advice and guide leaders through complex matters involving competing interests. Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish trust, foster productive labour-management relationships, and work effectively with stakeholders through high-conflict situations. Demonstrated ability to conduct or support workplace investigations, assess facts and evidence, prepare clear and comprehensive reports, and develop defensible recommendations. Strong organizational, analytical, critical-thinking, and communication skills, including the ability to synthesize information, manage competing priorities, maintain detailed documentation, anticipate emerging issues, and develop proactive solutions. Ability to work independently and collaboratively, exercise professional judgment with minimal supervision, use technology to improve efficiency, adapt to diverse contexts, and lead work within the assigned area of responsibility. Knowledge of the post-secondary sector and labour relations considerations within an academic environment is preferred.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources [e-mail] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

At the University of Waterloo, we think differently, we act with purpose, and we work together. We advance learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship, nationally and internationally, in an environment of free expression and enquiry. We are a leading global research-intensive university, renowned for entrepreneurship and innovation, providing co-op and work-integrated learning at scale with impact.

Learn more about Waterloo