The newly established Office of the Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning and Policy supports faculty in delivering on the University’s mission. Reporting to the Director, Faculty Relations, the Associate Director, Faculty Relations and Policy Planning works with University administration, including decision-makers, faculties, and support units, to provide guidance on the interpretation of policies, procedures, and guidelines. This role acts as a resource to University administration, advising on best practices, risk mitigation, and providing support on cases. It also conceptualizes, researches, develops, and recommends policy options, including assisting with the development of new policies, procedures, and guidelines to address emerging areas of concern. Utilizing an awareness of University and societal concerns, expertise in policy interpretation, and strong relationship-building skills, this position ensures that University decision-makers are supported and that practices under policies, procedures, and guidelines are sound.

Faculty Relations

• Providing strategic advice, expertise, and guidance to University and Faculty Leadership on a wide range of matters, including recruitment processes, academic job postings, employment agreements, tenure and promotion, and sabbaticals
• Demonstrate an ability to interpret and advise on key faculty related policies and agreements, such as:
  • Policy 3 – Sabbatical and Other Leaves for Faculty o Policy 8 – Freedom of Expression
  • Policy 33 – Ethical Behaviour
  • Policy 34 – Health, Safety and Environment (particularly allegations of workplace harassment)
  • Policy 42 – Prevention of and Response to Sexual Violence and Protocol and Procedures
  • Policy 49 – Extra University Activity
  • Policy 59 – Reduced Workload to Retirement
  • Policy 69 – Conflict of Interest
  • Policy 76 – Faculty Appointments
  • Policy 77 – Tenure and Promotion for Faculty Members
  • Memorandum of Agreement FAUW/UW, and others
• Assist with the drafting of correspondence and official documents related to complex cases
• Ensure that decision-makers have access to and utilize specialized resources on campus related to particular campus community concerns (i.e., sexual violence, racism, trauma-informed processes)
• Receive feedback from University administrators on gaps in policy, and concerns related to existing policies, procedures, guidelines and practices, making informed recommendations on paths towards improvement
• Report on specific concerns indicative of high risk through the chain of authority

Policy Planning and Renewal

On behalf of administration:

• Review draft policies and policy revisions prepared by Policy Drafting Committees (PDCs), drawing attention to inconsistencies, areas of risk, areas that require further discussion, areas that will require operationalization, and connection to other existing policies
• Combine environmental knowledge with contextual awareness of policy dynamics to support policy development
• Develop and evaluate policy requirements, determining their potential impact and providing recommendations to senior management
• Provide support for administration related to policy development processes by identifying, formulating and recommending approaches to policy drafting and policy amendments, preparing and supporting the delivery of detailed implementation plans (considering University history, strategies and the management of risk) as requested
• Investigate areas of concern as raised by senior administration and report on findings
• Produce timely, high quality, plain-language memoranda, reports, guidance, and tools to assist with policy-based initiatives
• Update senior administration on the work of PDCs and other policy work as requested and where confidentiality requirements do not prevent the same
• Advise administration on appropriate administrative appointments to PDCs and joint appointment committees
• Attend meetings as required to support senior administration on policy work, receiving input from University community members and preparing senior administration to respond
• Provide advice to faculties and academic support units on their own policies, procedures and practices to ensure that they are consistent with best practices across the University
• Assist with the drafting of correspondence and official documents related to faculty and support unit policies, procedures and practices
• Undertake professional development to remain current on issues pertaining to responsibilities
• Keep abreast of new legislation, regulations with Legal & Immigration Services

Miscellaneous

• May be called upon to provide support to special projects as assigned by the AVP, FPP or the Director, Faculty Relations.

• Undergraduate Degree required; preference in Human Resources and/or Industrial Relations
• Graduate Degree or other professional designation preferred, such as MHRM or MIRHR, and/or CHRP or CHRL
• At least 6 years' experience demonstrating knowledge of policy development, implementation and interpretation, analytical abilities to research complex issues, and the ability to evaluate and recommend policy options
• Experience in an academic setting is preferred
• Thorough knowledge of University policies and procedures
• Thorough understanding of employment law requirements
• Demonstrated experience with policy development
• Demonstrated ability to manage highly confidential and sensitive personal information with the utmost discretion
• Proven ability to manage large volumes of work, conflicting priorities and competing deadlines
• Must be an exceptional communicator, both orally and in writing
• Must have a clear focus on relationship management and must be particularly sensitive to relationship management when dealing with senior administration
• Proven ability to take initiative and be both creative and flexible
• Strong organizational and time management skills, and sound judgment
• Demonstrated research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to consider the needs of diverse communities, building consensus on contentious/complex issues
• Ability to effectively lead and collaborate across departments, establishing priorities
• Demonstrated awareness and understanding of equity, diversity, inclusiveness, intersectionality, racism, colonialism, ablism, marginalization and imbalance of power
• Demonstrated ability to exercise mature judgment, diplomacy and discretion
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.