Associate Director, Faculty Relations - St. Catharines, Canada - Brock University

Description

This position is part of the

One of Canada's leading comprehensive universities and a Top Employer in Hamilton-Niagara, and ranked #3 as Canada's Best Employers compiled by Forbes and Statista, Brock University is an inclusive, welcoming campus community that offers a wide range of unique career opportunities for those with passion, energy and expertise. We're looking for team members who want to help us continue to deliver an exceptional student experience, perform impact-driven research and generate life-changing breakthroughs for our world. Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock.

Post End Date:

Note to all candidates: This posting will close at 12:01 am on the date listed .

A Day in the Life...
Reporting to the Vice-Provost & Associate Vice-President, Academic and Deputy Provost the Associate Director, Faculty Relations leads and supports the development and delivery of programs and services within the Faculty Relations portfolio, including labour relations, academic human resources issues, faculty onboarding, development, tenure, and promotion.

This role will establish and maintain effective relationships with the Brock University Faculty Association (BUFA) and act as primary point of contact for the President, Vice-Presidents, and Deans across the University on complex matters falling within the purview of the Faculty Relations portfolio. The incumbent will also provide support for bargaining with BUFA and expertise in the interpretation and operation of the faculty collective agreement.

The Associate Director plays an important role in the University's efforts to continuously improve culture and enhance equity, diversity, inclusivity, through advising, coaching, mediation, and driving growth. The role will work very closely with colleagues in People and Culture, which provides immigration, salary, pension, and benefits support to faculty members and librarians.

As the Associate Director, Faculty Relations you will:

• Act as the first point of contact for BUFA labour relations issues and faculties regarding employee relations best practices, policies, and procedures;
• Influence the senior leadership decision-making process through provision of strategic faculty labour relations advice, interpreting and describing the impact/risk of decisions on the University;
• Coordinate, prepare, and/or articulate the University's response to faculty labour relations issues;
• Ensure all legislated, collective agreement, and policy-driven obligations of the University are met;
• Provide feedback and advice, influencing change initiatives that impact on faculty and librarian terms and conditions of employment;
• Represent the University in alternative dispute resolution processes including grievance and arbitration procedures and issues that may be referred to third-party adjudication;
• Connect regularly with the Deans to advise on potential resources, supports and development opportunities to assist faculty in performing and accomplishing their responsibilities;
• Provide strategic support for bargaining of collective agreements respecting Faculty and Librarians;
• Recommend bargaining strategies and objectives based on present and/or emerging internal and external issues that have an impact on the objectives and operations of the University;
• Provide dual oversight for the Faculty and Employment Relations Advisor, including assigning workload, coaching and mentorship, performance management, and making recommendations with respect to professional development opportunities in consultation with the People & Culture Leaders.

What you need to Succeed...

• Undergraduate Degree in Employment Law, Human Resources, Labour and Employee Relations;
• Experience as a labour relations expert (e.g., lead negotiator for collective agreements/renewals, advising leaders on labour relations issues, interpreting, and describing the impact/risk of decisions, overseeing the dispute resolution process including grievance, arbitrations, etc.);
• Knowledge of applicable employment and human rights legislation and collective bargaining, managing the administration of collective agreements, implications and policy interpretation;
• Demonstrated ability in conflict resolution, including successfully resolving issues via third-party dispute resolution;
• Knowledge of University promotion and tenure processes, standards, and requirements;
• Ability to provide foresight in planning and decision making, while ensuring accuracy and attention to detail;
• Ability to remain independent, neutral and impartial, and exercise good judgement in the handling of sensitive information and complaints;
• Demonstrated ability to advise and coach leaders on managing effective communication and interpersonal conflict;
• Ability to diagnose the situation presented in order to identify and define problems from a number of complex and interrelated issues, prior to working on a resolution;
• Adept at developing creative solutions that meet the need of the situation, while maintaining a university-level perspective of the implications to other situations in other areas and future/past circumstances.

Preferred or Asset Skills...

• Formal education in dispute resolution, conflict management, and/or mediation;
• Experience, in a faculty or instructional role, within a research-oriented, comprehensive University; and
• Formal education in coaching and mentorship.

Salary and Benefit Information

• Job Grade (P), Salary Scale ($92,-$,);
• This position includes full comprehensive benefits and tuition waiver.

*The salary range indicated is representative of all positions evaluated at this level. Actual salary is determined by assessing related skills, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness, subject to available budget.