Faculty Relations Specialist

Summary: The faculty relations specialist provides expert guidance on complex academic and workplace matters involving faculty and sessional lecturers. Working across colleges and units, the specialist helps resolve issues such as grievances, investigations, and performance concerns with discretion and strategic insight. Key responsibilities include supporting institutional governance and legal processes, contributing to collective bargaining, and advising on collegial processes and faculty and sessional lecturer agreements. This position also leads training and capacity building initiatives, providing consistent interpretation of policies and collective agreements while fostering positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This specialist also plays a key role in advancing integrated, principle-based faculty relations practices that support collaboration, compliance, and long-term planning. Duties and Responsibilities: Contributes to collective bargaining, reporting requirements, and faculty relations initiatives. Supports investigations and legal processes, such as discrimination and harassment cases, labour board matters, and civil litigation. Advises office leadership on faculty agreements, university governance, collegial processes, and other related matters, while also serving as a key internal consultant to campus stakeholders on leading practices. Advances policies, programs, and projects of the unit, including reporting to senior leaders on planning, priorities, and initiatives. Facilitates effective and innovative resolution of grievances and faculty relations processes, mitigating risk and maintaining compliance in collaboration with human resources (HR) colleagues and other internal partners. Supports faculty relations issues management, including grievance coordination, conflict resolution, and collaboration with internal partners. Provides timely, sustainable recommendations that support financial viability and address faculty matters, such as interpersonal conflict, performance concerns, and collective agreement compliance. Leads faculty relations training and capacity building initiatives, including designing, coordinating, and delivering programs, while identifying and recommending integrated process improvements that support a shared services model. Fosters a principle-based approach to faculty relations by building positive relationships with labour associations and other stakeholders, while providing consistent interpretation and application of collective agreements, legislation, and university policies. Conducts research and analysis to confirm policies, procedures, and agreements reflect leading industry practices and align with the strategic objectives of the office. Prepares reports and documentation for leadership and other governing university bodies to support informed decision-making. Assists with faculty and senior administration recruitment and oversees planning and organization of development workshops for faculty, leadership, and support staff. Supports committees led by the unit, including standing and ad hoc committees related to faculty review, appointments, and academic leadership. Tracks and reviews case file submissions from academic units for completeness, coordinates distribution to committee members, and liaises with applicants to support the process. Maintains comprehensive records of committee activities, including minutes, votes, decisions, and transmission of recommendations to applicants, while complying with internal reporting and audit requirements. Coordinates with internal governance experts on appeals of committee decisions and supports documentation of records and outcomes for annual reporting to the governing bodies. Prepares official correspondence to applicants on behalf of the university's leadership and governing bodies, maintaining accuracy and alignment with committee decisions. Supports faculty review processes through the evaluation of academic standards and lead ership roles, including chairs and professorships. Supports the accurate, consistent, and efficient submission and maintenance of faculty data and employment records across HR systems. Provides operational direction to administrative supports assigned to overlapping projects. Communicates and acts in a respectful and professional manner, collaborates effectively, abides by policy, and contributes to a positive and productive work and learning environment. Engages in continuous learning by participating in activities, training, and events related to Indigenous engagement, reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Demonstrates respect and dignity for all members of the community, actively contributes to an environment of acceptance and inclusion of others, and responds to different perspectives from a place of curiosity, respect, and non-judgement. Undertakes related duties, as assigned, consistent with the nature of the position. Qualifications: · A bachelor’s degree in labour relations, administration, human resources, or a related field. · A Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation is a strong asset. · Minimum of five years of related experience within a university setting, with demonstrated knowledge of employment legislation and experience in a multi-bargaining unit environment. · Knowledge of university governance, academic structures, and collegial processes is an asset. · Demonstrated leadership and consensus-building skills, with the ability to engage, influence and collaborate across diverse teams and stakeholder groups. · Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, with a proactive approach to risk management and process improvement. · Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. · Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion and sound judgment. · Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines. · Demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines and advocate for innovative ideas and institutional priorities. · Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office applications.