Manager, Faculty Relations

Department: Human Resources Job Type: ContinuingFull-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year) Campus: Waterloo Reports to: Director, Faculty RelationsEmployee Group: Management Application Deadline: November 25, 2025 Requisition ID: 10372 Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier's thriving community has a place for everyone.Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict.  Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Position SummaryReporting to the Director, Faculty Relations, this role manages day-to-day operations of the Faculty Relations team, provides guidance on collective agreement interpretation, and supports grievance resolution and negotiation preparation. As a partner for academic leaders, the Manager provides advice on the resolution of complex faculty relations matters and performance management, ensuring adherence to collective agreements, legislation, and employment best practices. The Manager, Faculty Relations supports the strategic and operational administration of academic collective agreements and faculty-related employment matters.AccountabilitiesOperational LeadershipLead operational planning and service delivery improvements for faculty relations.Guide responses to faculty employment inquiries and issues.Support the development and implementation of academic labour relations strategies.Ensure alignment of internal procedures with collective agreements and university policies.Develop and lead training as mandated in the collective agreement, in partnership with the faculty association. Contract Administration & Grievance SupportProvide guidance on the interpretation and application of academic collective agreements.Responsible for ensuring mandatory compliance reports, within academic collective agreements, are completed and provided to the union.Lead grievance administration, including documentation, meeting coordination, and resolution tracking.Assist in preparing for academic collective bargaining, including research and costing support.Manage documentation and case files related to faculty relations matters. Academic Community AdvisingLiaise with Deans, Chairs, and academic administrators to support consistent faculty relations practices.Provide advice and support to academic leaders on employment-related matters.Coordinate communication with faculty unions and representatives.Participate in university committees and working groups as assigned. Team Supervision & Workflow ManagementSupervise Faculty Relations Specialist and Faculty Relations Coordinator, providing coaching and performance feedback.Manage team workload, scheduling, and professional development activities.Ensure high-quality service delivery and responsiveness to academic units.Promote a collaborative and inclusive team culture. Records & Systems OversightMaintain faculty employment records and ensure data integrity in HRIS systems.Provide reporting and analysis of faculty relations metrics and trends.Ensure compliance with documentation standards and privacy requirements.Lead process improvements and system enhancements for faculty relations.QualificationsUniversity undergraduate degree.Minimum 5 years of experience in labour relations, human resources or academic administration, preferably in a post-secondary or unionized environment.Demonstrated experience supporting or participating in collective bargaining, grievance handling, and negotiation processes within a unionized environment.Demonstrated experience leading process improvements and system enhancements, preferably within an academic environment.Experience advising on or coordinating grievance and arbitration processes, including documentation and case management.Experience interpreting and administering collective agreements.Strong understanding of academic employment structures and governance.Experience supervising, mentoring, or coaching team members to support performance and professional development.Demonstrated ability to manage team operations, delegate tasks, and foster a collaborative work environment.Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.Experience supervising staff and managing team operations.Proficiency with HRIS systems and data reporting tools.Knowledge of relevant employment legislation and university policies (Ontario Labour Relations Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, and other relevant legislation).Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigeneity.Hours of WorkThis is a full-time, continuing position. The normal hours of work are Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.This position is eligible for a flexible work arrangement, as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy). All arrangement must be approved by the direct manager. In-person attendance for events, as required to meet operational needs, is expected. On occasion, this schedule may need to be adjusted to meet operational requirements.This role has a university-wide mandate and travel to other campuses and locations may be required to attend meetings or events.Compensation Level: 2CSalary Range: $95,516 to $119,395Broad salary ranges include a hiring range ($95,516 - $107,456), a target range ($108, $131,335), and a premium range ($132,528 - $149,244).When new employees are hired the appropriate base salary is determined using these sub-ranges as a guide while adhering to rules on hiring as defined in our compensation policy. Considerations for new hire salaries include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier's core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit  for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.