Manager, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and

**OUR COMPANY BACKGROUND & CULTURE**

University Pension Plan Ontario (UPP) is a new jointly sponsored pension plan (JSPP) and the first of its kind in Ontario’s university sector. We currently serve members and pensioners at Queen’s University, the University of Guelph, the University of Toronto, Trent University, the University of Toronto, and Guelph University Faculty Associations, and UPP employees. We plan to add other Ontario universities who wish to join.

UPP currently serves approximately 37,000 members and manages assets of roughly $11 billion and the related pension obligations.

At UPP, we are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and reconciliation - across race, place, culture, gender expression and sexual identity. We actively seek talent who share in this commitment and bring their whole selves to work. We are committed to supporting our employees to do their best work and develop in their career.

**THE ROLE**

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced and passionate professional with experience developing and driving Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Reconciliation (“EDIR”) programs to join a high-performing organization and make a significant impact.

As Manager, EDIR, you will champion an inclusive environment and focus on driving EDIR for UPP’s purpose-driven culture by supporting the execution of our EDIR strategy and roadmap. Reporting to the Senior Director, People and working collaboratively across the People team and broader organization, your work will include development, rollout and ongoing support for workplace programs, practices and initiatives that demonstrate UPP’s commitment to being an inclusive employer that enables every member of our diverse community to thrive.

You have a minimum of five years’ related experience in a fast-paced working environment. Ideally, this includes startup and/or new program development initiatives - we’re still building from the ground up at UPP Strong communication skills, attention to detail, drive, and care for this important work are keys to success in this role.

And as an integral member of UPP’s People team, you will lean into and support a culture defined by meaningful work, ample fun, deep employee engagement and strong, inclusive leadership. Individually, but more importantly together as a team, the UPP will outperform peers as an employer of choice.

UPP has adopted a Hybrid Work Model which allows staff the flexibility to work remotely with the opportunity to work in person at the office ~2 days a week. Our office is located in downtown Toronto.

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES**:

- Champion UPP’s EDIR roadmap and intentional culture work
- Take ownership of UPP’s 3-year EDIR roadmap and the People team commitments therein, tracking and reporting on EDIR initiatives and outcomes
- Working collaboratively with members of UPP’s People team, develop a foundational EDIR training program and establish a multi-year training program
- Work with the Talent Acquisition Team and People Leaders on recruitment strategies and developing targeted programs to help increase representation of underrepresented groups at UPP
- Establish key partnerships to help support and promote UPP’s EDIR commitments (e.g. Black Professionals in Technology, Women in Capital Markets, etc)
- As a skilled facilitator, bring people to the table and create a safe space for open, insightful dialogue that propels EDIR work forward
- Create feedback mechanisms (surveys, listening opportunities, 360 feedback)
- Develop an EDIR policy
- Coordinate and support all workplace EDIR events and groups
- Work closely with the Chief People Officer and Senior Director, People to provide guidance on matters of policy interpretation and practices concerning diversity, accessibility, equity, inclusion, freedom of speech and freedom of expression
- Act as the main point of contact and expert resource for EDIR to all team members and People Leaders
- Propose, implement, and monitor Self Identification and employee surveys and implement metrics to ensure UPP has the information it needs to support a diverse workforce in an equitable and inclusive way
- Coordinate, chair and co-chair UPP committees and employee resource groups that are specifically mandated to address equity, accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation
- Ensure an EDIR lens is applied to all recruitment, onboarding, integration and promotion processes
- Partnering with the Strategic Communications team, build out EDIR messaging on internal and external communications platforms
- Special projects and other duties as required

**QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE**:

- Undergraduate degree
- Minimum 5+ years of experience in an EDIR-focused role with experience developing, leading, and executing EDIR strategies and initiatives
- Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous communities or on reconciliation-related programs. Lived experience as an Indigenous person an asset.
- Experi