Senior Labour Relations Consultant at University of Waterloo in Waterloo, ON

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. Job Requisition ID: 2026-03466 Time Type: Full time Employee Group: Staff Job Category: Human Resources Advisory Employment Type: Permanent Department: Associate Vice-President, Faculty and Academic Life - Faculty Relations Hiring Range: $87,620.25 - $109,525.32 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 labo