Executive Director, Academic Life & Faculty Relations

Position Summary

The Office of the Vice Provost, Faculty & Academic Life provides tri-campus oversight and guidance on institutional policies and practices in relation to faculty issues, providing strategic, principle-driven leadership and coordination across the University to increase accountability and effective implementation of policy and best practice. Central to the work of the Office is the systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of data relating to faculty and librarians; and the development, implementation, and evaluation of University-wide programs designed to improve faculty life and the quality and consistency of academic HR practice across the University.

Reporting to the Vice-Provost, the Executive Director provides operational leadership, strategic direction and effective management of a team responsible for the development and oversight of a wide variety of policies and programs to support the institutional goal of appointing, promoting, and retaining excellent faculty. The Executive Director oversees the efficient and effective management of the Office’s resources in the areas of faculty and academic life services, faculty relations and academic programming. The Executive Director develops short and long-term strategic plans for the office, in consultation with the Vice-Provost, ensuring that the Offices priorities are appropriately aligned with those of the Office of the Vice-President & Provost.

The Executive Director leads the development and implementation of policy and processes in relation to academic human resources, academic policy and academic planning in consultation with Faculties/Divisions, Colleges and the School of Graduate Studies. The Executive Director builds capacity within Faculties/Divisions through education and communication to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach to implementing policies and guidelines.

As a key member of the University’s bargaining team, the Executive Director oversees the provision of faculty relations matters, including labour relations advice in respect of negotiations with UTFA; acts as the primary liaison role with UTFA in relation to faculty and librarian matters, serving as the point person in bargaining, grievance and issues management and addresses complex faculty and librarian employment matters that require urgent attention and resolution.

Qualifications Required

Education:

• Graduate degree or with a specialization in labour relations and/or human resources or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

• Minimum ten (10) years’ recent and related experience in a university environment.
• Thorough knowledge of University policies and procedures.
• Deep familiarity with academic HR life cycle, tenure process, and University academic HR norms.
• Experience interpreting Human Resources policies, legislation, and guidelines.
• Experience in Labour relations and negotiations.
• Experience examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Demonstrated achievement in managing complex workflow and being accountable for timelines.
• Clear evidence of success in providing advice on how to respond to / manage cases that diverge from the norm.

Skills:

• Proficiency with MS Office and project management tools (e.g., Excel, Microsoft Project).

Other:

• Highly professional with demonstrated ability to manage sensitive matters with all levels of University faculty and administration.
• Requirement to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Must be able to move complex initiatives forward in situation characterized by high levels of ambiguity and political sensitivity.
• Superior oral and written communication skills
• Superior interpersonal skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Superior analytical and organizational skills
• Ability to establish credibility and work with senior University officers and Senior academic leaders in a manner that facilitates discussion and agreement on principles
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Capacity to think creatively and exercise appropriate flexibility in the application of policy and norms
• Ability to work with a high level of tact and in a highly consultative/collaborative manner
• Ability to work under pressure without instruction/direction
• Proven capacity to think in systems terms and develop and implement process and system improvements
• Experience working collaboratively with colleagues and team members to achieve common goals and complete projects

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca.