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Position Summary
Reporting to the Senior Director, Labour and Employee Relations, with a dotted line to the Associate Provost (Academic Policies and Faculty Affairs) the Lead Advisor provides counsel and guidance to the University community focusing on academic labour relations for tenured and tenure-track academics and contract academic staff. The incumbent will lead negotiations with academic unions to establish academic collective agreements that support institutional goals. This role will develop strategies that foster the effective management of human resources in a labour relations climate that enables a stable and productive workforce. The Lead Advisor will also provide strategic guidance to support the achievement of institutional priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal negotiator in discussions with unions representing professors to reach collective agreements that align with institutional objectives.
• Develop and implement strategic labour relations plans based on best practices, ensuring alignment with the university’s mission and values.
• Provide expert advice to senior leadership on labour relations issues, including collective bargaining strategies, unionization implications, and compliance with relevant labour laws, supported by benchmarking analysis and reports.
• Integrate academic labour relations expertise into the development of negotiation strategies and agreement language to reflect the institution’s governance structures and operational realities.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with union representatives and other stakeholders to facilitate productive negotiations and long-term engagement.
• Mediate and resolve labour-related disputes including leading grievance resolution, preparing for and attending arbitration hearings, and drafting final settlement documents.
• Monitor and manage labour relations processes and agreements to ensure compliance with legal requirements and institutional policies.
• Translate negotiated terms into practical provisions that can be implemented within existing information systems and operational constraints.
• Assemble and lead internal negotiation teams by coordinating relevant subject matter experts across the University to ensure cohesion and alignment.
• Ensure that University collective agreements and policies are interpreted and applied correctly and consistently.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Undergraduate degree
• Five (5) + years’ related experience

Other Qualifying Skills And/Or Abilities:

• Ability to develop and implement long-term labour relations strategies aligned with institutional goals.
• Capacity to anticipate and manage the implications of collective bargaining outcomes on academic operations.
• Advanced negotiation skills, especially in unionized academic environments.
• Experience leading collective bargaining processes and drafting agreements.
• Strong mediation and conflict resolution abilities, including handling grievances and arbitration.
• Deep understanding of Quebec labour law, especially as it applies to academic institutions.
• Familiarity with collective agreement interpretation, dispute resolution, and union-management dynamics.
• Excellent bilingual (French & English) written and verbal communication skills for drafting agreements, reports, and strategic advice.
• Ability to communicate complex legal and policy issues clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Skilled in building trust and maintaining collaborative relationships with union representatives and internal stakeholders.

As one of Montreal’s Top Employers, here is what we offer:

• Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
• Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
• Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
• Competitive vacation policy
• Two (2) personal days
• Two (2) floating holidays
• Nine (9) “Summer Fridays” - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
• Paid time off over the December holiday period
• Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
• Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.
Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level # (qualifier) on a scale of 0-4.
For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click
here.
Minimum Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree 5 Years Related Experience /
Annual Salary:
(MPEX Grade 07) $90,170.00 - $112,710.00 - $135,250.00
Job Profile:
MPEX-HRM3C - Labour & Employee Relations - Senior Professional/Manager
Hours per Week:
33.75 (Full time)
Supervisor:
Senior Director, Labour and Employee Relations
Position End Date (If applicable):
Deadline to Apply:
2025-09-23
McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence,
accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.

• Serve as the principal negotiator in discussions with unions representing professors to reach collective agreements that align with institutional objectives.
• Develop and implement strategic labour relations plans based on best practices, ensuring alignment with the university’s mission and values.
• Provide expert advice to senior leadership on labour relations issues, including collective bargaining strategies, unionization implications, and compliance with relevant labour laws, supported by benchmarking analysis and reports.
• Integrate academic labour relations expertise into the development of negotiation strategies and agreement language to reflect the institution’s governance structures and operational realities.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with union representatives and other stakeholders to facilitate productive negotiations and long-term engagement.
• Mediate and resolve labour-related disputes including leading grievance resolution, preparing for and attending arbitration hearings, and drafting final settlement documents.
• Monitor and manage labour relations processes and agreements to ensure compliance with legal requirements and institutional policies.
• Translate negotiated terms into practical provisions that can be implemented within existing information systems and operational constraints.
• Assemble and lead internal negotiation teams by coordinating relevant subject matter experts across the University to ensure cohesion and alignment.
• Ensure that University collective agreements and policies are interpreted and applied correctly and consistently