Director, Academic Relations, Competition # SCHII-23-06, Location: Thunder Bay, ON

Director, Academic Relations

Thunder Bay

Office of the Provost

Full-Time, 17-month Contract

Anticipated Start Date: June 1, 2024

Schedule II

Competition # SCHII-23-06

Lakehead University is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Director, Academic Relations. Thunder Bay is one of Canada’s top emerging cities. Here you will find a mix of modern city living and the best of nature – all on your doorstep. Thunder Bay provides small city affordability, big city opportunities and the bonus of a superior lifestyle. When it comes to location, nature and cost of living, Thunder Bay is one of the best places to live in Canada.

Lakehead is a comprehensive University with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research.  In 2022, for the third year in a row, Lakehead University was included in the top 100 of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. Lakehead is the highest ranked university in the world with under 10,000 students. Maclean’s has once again included Lakehead University among Canada’s top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in the magazine’s 2021 University Rankings.

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the Director, Academic Relations is a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for human and labour relations processes and procedures affecting faculty, librarians and other academic support staff at Lakehead. Academic Relations promotes best practices in academic leadership, provides information and interpretation on the application of the collective agreements, labour legislation, and policies, and creates opportunities for professional training and development. The Director, Academic Relations supports the successful implementation of the University’s Strategic and Academic Plans as it relates to faculty and academic relations.

The ideal candidate for this senior-level administrative position will be an accomplished leader with demonstrated experience in faculty or labour relations within a university or the broader public sector. Additionally:

-        A doctoral, graduate or law degree.

-        Advanced knowledge on the administration of collective agreements and policy interpretation.

-        Knowledge of and experience with policy development and implementation, academic labour contract administration and grievance handling is important, as are advanced facilitation and mediation skills.

-        Experience providing strategic level legal advice to senior level leaders.

-        The ideal candidate will have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, which includes strong decision-making and conflict resolution skills.

-        Familiarity with academic organizational culture, administration and collegial governance would be considered an asset.

Individuals with parallel experience, strong candidates who demonstrate an equivalent combination of education, training and experience may also be considered.

This position offers a competitive remuneration package including salary, comprehensive benefits package, life insurance, pension plan, and tuition waiver.

Interested applicants may apply by clicking on this link to a Google Form and attaching your cover letter and resume in word or PDF format by March 17, 2023.

If you have any technical difficulties in accessing the link, please reach out to careers@lakeheadu.ca.

We appreciate your interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be notified.

Lakehead University is committed to building and fostering a diverse and inclusive university community and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, persons from 2SLGBTQ+ and other equity-deserving groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration laws.

Lakehead University has an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan 2019-2024 with a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of under-represented groups among applicants, candidates and hires. We encourage candidates to self-identify, if you are from an under-represented group, and prefer candidates with the knowledge, competencies and relationships derived from lived experience.

Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343.8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.