Senior Labour Relations Consultant

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.

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Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The internal posting deadline for this position is Thursday, November 5 at 11:59PM.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose 

University of Waterloo is a leading global innovation hub that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. With more than 41,000 students, we are home to the world's largest co-op education talent pipeline, game-changing research and technology, and to an unmatched entrepreneurial culture. Together, these create partnerships and solutions to tackle today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. 

Faculty and Academic Life provides leadership and expertise across three intersecting areas: Faculty Relations, Faculty Life Cycle, and Policy Review and Development. Working closely with Deans and other senior leaders, the Office supports faculty recruitment, retention, performance management, professional development, and faculty relations, while providing strategic advice and guidance on academic employment matters and institutional policy. 

​This role provides senior-level labour relations expertise to support the University’s academic, operational, and strategic objectives. The position acts as a strategic advisor to leaders on complex and sensitive employee and labour relations matters, exercising independence in the assessment, management, and resolution of issues. This role leads grievance resolution, supports collective bargaining, fosters constructive labour-management relationships, and identifies and mitigates institutional risk. Through strategic analysis, sound judgement, and collaboration, the role delivers practical and defensible solutions aligned with institutional priorities. 

Key Accountabilities 

Labour Relations Advisory 

• Provides expert advice and strategic guidance to leaders on complex labour and employee relations matters, and collective agreement interpretation, exercising a high degree of judgement and autonomy. 

• Advises on the labour relations implications of organizational change, restructuring, workforce planning, and strategic initiatives, developing recommendations that balance institutional objectives, operational needs, and risk considerations. 

Grievance, Dispute Resolution, and Case Management 

• Leads the resolution of complex, sensitive, and high-risk labour and employment matters, including grievances, complaints, workplace disputes, and investigations, working collaboratively with employees, leaders, and union/employee association representatives. 

• Represents and advises the University in grievance meetings, mediations, and other dispute resolution processes by developing strategies 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 

• Provides expert guidance on the interpretation, application, and administration of collective agreements, policies, and employment practices while promoting compliance and mitigating institutional risk. 

Collective Bargaining Support  

• Provides strategic bargaining expertise through sector scans, benchmarking, and analysis of labour relations trends, emerging issues, and institutional priorities. 

• Leads or significantly contributes to the development and evaluation of bargaining proposals and strategies, and collective agreement language through research, analysis, and recommendations that align with institutional goals. 

• Prepares and reviews reports, settlement agreements, bargaining documentation, and related labour relations materials to support effective decision making and bargaining outcomes. 
  

Labour Relations Risk Management 

• Independently identifies, assesses, and mitigates complex labour relations risks through proactive consultation, analysis, and strategic recommendations that support compliant, effective, and sustainable employment practices. 
  

Labour-Management Relations 

• Develops, maintains, and strengthens effective working relationships with unions and their representatives, faculty and staff associations, and leaders to support constructive labour-management relations and facilitate the resolution of complex issues. 

• Represents the labour relations function on labour relations and other institutional committees as required, providing expert advice, strategic guidance, and recommendations. 
  

Program, Policy, and Process Improvement 

• Leads and contributes to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of labour relations policies, programs, practices, and resources to enhance effectiveness, consistency, and compliance. 

• Partners with leaders to develop resources, tools, and training that strengthen leadership capability and support effective labour relations administration across the organization. 
  

Required Qualifications 

Education: 

• Undergraduate degree specializing in HR, Industrial Relations, or a related field, or an institutionally recognized equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• A certification in Human Resources or Industrial Relations.

Experience: 

• Minimum 6 years of related work experience, preferably in a unionized, post-secondary environment. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Extensive labour and employee relations expertise, including collective agreement and policy interpretation, labour relations strategy, workforce planning, organizational design, change management, conflict resolution, and risk management. 
• Strong knowledge of employment and labour legislation, including the Labour Relations Act, 1995, Employment Standards Act, 2000, Ontario Human Rights Code, and related employment and human resources principles. 
• Advanced consultation, negotiation, investigation, and conflict-resolution skills, with the ability to provide strategic advice and guide leaders through complex, sensitive, and high-risk employee and labour relations matters. 
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-management skills, with the ability to build trust, foster productive labour-management relationships, influence outcomes, and work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated ability to conduct workplace investigations and complex fact-finding processes, assess evidence, prepare clear and comprehensive reports, and develop well-reasoned and defensible recommendations. 
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, assess risk, maintain accurate documentation, anticipate emerging issues, and develop practical solutions. 
• Proven ability to exercise sound professional judgment, work independently with minimal supervision, and lead initiatives while collaborating effectively in a complex organizational environment. 
• Knowledge of the post-secondary sector and the unique labour and employee relations considerations within an academic environment is considered an asset 

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 at [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.