Description
Dalhousie University is seeking an Assistant VicePresident, Labour and Employee Relations (AVP) to provide strategic and operational leadership for labour and employee relations across the university. Reporting to the VicePresident, People and Culture, the AVP is a senior leader who supports the university’s academic and administrative leadership in navigating sensitive and highimpact workplace matters and advancing a respectful, inclusive, and peoplecentred culture.
Dalhousie is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities, distinguished by an exceptional academic and campus experience from year one. Our 13 academic Faculties expand understanding through teaching excellence and a drive for discovery that results in more than $210 million in annual funded research. Our groundbreaking research is rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and has earned Dalhousie a reputation as a national powerhouse and a global educational player.
The People and Culture portfolio provides strategic leadership to support faculty and staff success across the university. Through collaborative partnerships, the portfolio advances peoplecentred practices that strengthen workplace relationships, mitigate organizational risk, and align people-practices with Dalhousie’s values and strategic priorities.
The Role
Working in close collaboration with senior leaders across the university, the AVP is responsible for setting and advancing the university’s labour and employee relations direction and translating that strategy into effective, consistent, and principled practices. This includes collective bargaining, interpretation and administration of collective agreements and employment frameworks, and the provision of expert advice on complex and sensitive workplace matters.
The AVP builds and sustains constructive relationships with unions and employee groups, and supports leaders across campuses to navigate labour and employee relations challenges with sound judgement, emotional intelligence, and a solutionsfocused approach. Throughout this work, the AVP champions the University’s commitment to a collegial culture grounded in respect and inclusion. This role takes a peoplefirst approach, fostering respectful and balanced relationships that positively support employees. The AVP works closely with internal partners and units to ensure the effective administration of academic appointments and the advancement of equityinformed practices.
The AVP provides leadership to a team of labour and employee relations professionals and works closely with the VicePresident, People and Culture to ensure a proactive, accountable, and highperforming function that supports a respectful and inclusive workplace.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing strategic leadership for labour and employee relations across the university, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, legislation, collective agreements, and best practices.
- Leading and supporting collective bargaining strategies and processes, maintaining effective, professional relationships with unions and employee groups.
- Providing expert advice to senior academic and administrative leaders on labour and employee relations issues, including discipline, accommodation, performance management, investigations, workload management, and workplace conflict.
- Overseeing the consistent interpretation and application of collective agreements, handbooks, policies, and employment frameworks across campuses.
- Monitoring legislative, arbitration, and sector trends to proactively manage risk and inform institutional strategy.
- Leading, mentoring, and developing a high-performing labour and employee relations team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Contributing as a senior leader within People and Culture and participating in university-wide committees, initiatives, and governance processes as required.
How to Apply:
If you are passionate about collaborative labour relations, peoplecentred leadership, and contributing to the success of a complex academic institution, we invite you to apply for the role of Assistant VicePresident, Labour and Employee Relations. A complete application will include a full CV and cover letter describing how you meet the selection criteria, why the appointment is of interest, and what you believe you can bring to the role. To be fully considered, please submit your application by May 19, 2026 through this link: https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/20709
For more information, please contact exec.search@dal.ca.
Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity
If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewedhere.
Dalhousie currently has flexible work arrangements available. Within this model, People & Culture currently requires a minimum three-days in the office; flexibility on scheduling of these three days is subject to operational demands. There will be, at times, a requirement for additional flexibility and in-office presence in addition to the three-day minimum. Flexible arrangements may change at any time, with notice.
Requirements
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be a respected and credible senior leader with significant experience in labour and employee relations within a complex, unionized environment. Strong strategic judgment and the ability to navigate sensitive, highimpact issues with discretion and empathy are essential to success in this role.
While the Search Committee recognizes that no single candidate will meet all criteria, the following qualifications will guide the assessment process.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in a related area.
Ten or more years of progressive experience in senior labour and employee relations roles, including collective bargaining and advising executive level leaders.
Demonstrated leadership experience managing and developing professional teams in complex organizational environments.
Strong knowledge of labour relations and employee relations practices, employment legislation, and dispute resolution processes.
Proven ability to build trust and maintain effective relationships with unions, leaders, and diverse groups.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem solving skills.
High emotional intelligence, sound judgement, and the ability to manage sensitive issues in a respectful and constructive manner.
Demonstrated and progressive, commitment, both in scope and application, to creating an inclusive workplace, and to EDIA and strategies related to Indigenization and decolonization, specifically as it relates to labour and employee relations best practices, advice provision, and policy/guideline development.
Assets
Graduate degree and/or law degree.
Experience in a postsecondary or similarly largescale public sector environment.
Membership in, or affiliation with, professional HR or labour relations associations (e.g., CPHR).
Experience leading largescale change initiatives or institutional policy development.
Competencies
Like all senior leaders at Dalhousie, the Assistant Vice President, Labour and Employee Relations is expected to demonstrate the Dalhousie leadership competencies. Of particular interest to the committee are:
Respect & Inclusion
Thinking and Acting Strategically
Relationship Building
Communication
Change and Innovation
