Who we are

Mount Royal University has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university with a greater focus on bachelor degrees in 2009. More than 100,000 Mount Royal alumni are contributing to their communities worldwide.

Students consistently rank Mount Royal University among Canada’s best universities for quality of teaching and overall educational experience. From aviation and midwifery, to broadcasting and child studies, we boast a number of unique and innovative degrees. Currently, nearly 15,000 credit students choose from 12 bachelor degrees and 36 majors. To meet the rising demand for post-secondary education in Calgary and Alberta, our goal by 2025 is to have more than 16,000 credit students choosing from 15 degrees and 60 majors. 

At Mount Royal, we are committed to four brand pillars: provide personalized learning; be outcome focused; deliver quality teaching; and be community responsive. 

What we offer

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace.

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees and the public. 

Our campus and the broader community

Located near the Glenmore reservoir in picturesque southwest Calgary, the Lincoln Park campus offers an exceptional experience for students, employees and visitors. As a good neighbour, we maintain a safe and welcoming campus. Community members come to our campus to take non-credit courses, enjoy recreation facilities, see a performance, rent space, use our conference services or access our Library’s resources. The Conservatory is the largest teaching institution of its kind in Canada, offering music and speech instruction for students of all ages and ability. 

The University provides state-of-the-art facilities and excellent customer service for hosting events, conferences, training sessions, trade shows and performances. The Bella Concert Hall within the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts draws performers from around the world for the enjoyment of local audiences. The Riddell Library and Learning Centre is a learning space for the 21st century — a hub for the campus and the community to connect and interact with information in all of its forms.

We constantly seek ways to partner with and contribute to the community. Students are encouraged to be responsible and engaged citizens. Mount Royal is considered a national leader in Community Service Learning, with nearly 25 per cent of students providing more than 300,000 hours of community service last year. Our annual impact on the community includes spending more than $200 million in operational expenses, providing an education for about 10,000 full-load-equivalent students, employing 1,700 full-time equivalent Calgarians and adding nearly 2,000 employees to the labour force each year.

Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi  (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is "Mohkinstsis." The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

With more than 200 ethnically diverse communities, Calgary is diverse. And, with a population of more than 1.2 million people, it is the largest city in Alberta.

About the Role

The AVP, Faculty Affairs will work collaboratively with leaders and professionals across a number of university offices to provide guidance and oversight of the labour environment as it applies to academic staff. This includes oversight and improvement of administrative processes, strategic relationship management, and grievance management. This role must have a thorough understanding of human resources practices including, but not limited to: equity, diversity, human rights, privacy and due process.

The AVP, Faculty Affairs is a complex role and requires a high level of discretion and ethics in decision making based on personal experience, a depth of knowledge of academic labour relations, legislation, policies, and good judgement. The role will be guided by the principles of fairness, value of diversity of people and ideas, risk mitigation and continuous improvement. The incumbent must be able to effectively and sensitively navigate and plan for the impacts that their advice and work will have on individual academic staff members and strive for optimal outcomes.

It will be important for the AVP, Faculty Affairs to consult and consider how indigenization and decolonization efforts can be applied to the labour relations context to enhance the labour environment for academic staff and contribute to fostering an inclusive and productive work environment.

 Matters that come before the AVP, Faculty Affairs will range from routine to complex. The incumbent is required to work with confidential information and must exercise discretion and tact. The work involves demanding and competing deadlines and requires a high level of accuracy and thoroughness. There will be periods of time where workloads are demanding. The incumbent must be able to analyze and interpret information obtained from a variety of sources in order to provide recommendations to university leadership for strategic decision making and will be expected to collaborate closely with Human Resources and other university offices.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

Labour Relations

• Chief negotiator for the university in the negotiation of the Collective Agreement for academic staff.
• Engagement with Provincial Bargaining Coordination Office and Faculty Bargaining Services.
• Leadership in shaping labour relations strategy relating to bargaining and faculty affairs by consulting with Provost’s Council and other campus stakeholders.
• Establishes and maintains effective communications with the staff and executive of the MRFA.
• Primary responsibility for the implementation of the MRFA collective agreement including training Human Resources and other administrative personnel regarding changes to key procedures.
• Works directly with Human Resources, Office of General Council, Deans, and Provost providing advice regarding grievances and investigations.
• Contributes to fostering diversity and equity within the academic workforce.
• Provide sound advice related to the terms and conditions of employment and the university’s statutory obligations to academic staff. 

Policy Interpretation and Advising

• Advisor (to Provost, Deans, Human Resources etc.) regarding complex issues and labour relations matters relating to MRFA members.
• Interprets the collective agreement and policies and advises on such matters.
• Advises on the resolution of complex faculty matters involving academic personnel. Provides advice, consulting with General Counsel and HR, when required.
• Advises on complex discipline cases and supports implementations of decisions made. 
• Leadership role in the resolution of problems and grievances involving MRFA members in accordance with the Collective Agreement.
• Resolves academic personnel problems through proactive and reactive conflict resolution. 
• Advises Deans regarding personnel management and proactively advises on strategies to deal with situations to avoid formal disciplinary action.

Academic Career Progression

• Working closely with the University Tenure and Promotion Committee,  Human Resources, the Academic Development Centre and other campus offices to provide strategic leadership and guidance regarding the administration of the university’s faculty affairs functions, including: recruitment, promotion, tenure, sabbaticals, annual reports, retention strategies, academic staff planning, and employee development.
• Working closely with the Provost to support the annual review process and reappointment for Deans and AVPs.

Planning and Program Leadership

• Leadership in the planning, development, and implementation of programs, policies, and services to support academic staff.
• Oversees professional development opportunities including for chairs and associate deans related to their roles as managers and leaders.
• Constructively engage in consultative decision-making processes.

Reporting

• Work with university systems and offices to ensure that reporting required under the collective agreement is provided

Environmental Health and Safety

• Ensure all work conducted is in compliance with the Government of Alberta Occupational Health and Safety legislation and practices; Have knowledge of and adhere to MRU safety systems, policies, procedures, and safe work guidelines.

Qualifications

• Terminal Degree in the applicant's academic field of expertise, labour law, labour relations combined with experience in the post secondary labour environment.
• Experience in an academic environment is preferred.
• A minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible labour relations experience, including experience in a management/leadership role.
• Experience leading collective bargaining.
• Experience with the investigation process.
• Ability to lead and work well under pressure with minimal supervision and provide positive solutions while working within a complex environment. Possess the ability to manage competing priorities and heavy workloads.
• Proven experience partnering with leaders to provide effective and practical advice considering operational interests.
• Proven experience managing grievance procedures and managing settlements.
• Demonstrated ability to foster and maintain relationships with senior leadership, operational managers, as well as union representatives.
• Demonstrated communication, interpersonal, organizational and negotiation skills.

Skills and Additional Requirements

• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Effectively manages conflict and works to deescalate contentious matters. 
• Effectively communicate competing objectives related to complex concepts that are not well known or understood.
• Exhibit leadership and influence decision making to ensure strategic priorities are met.
• This position requires complex analysis and interpretation of information related to the University’s labour strategy. Interpreting the information is important to best understand the problems that may arise and ability to develop multiple solutions may be required to minimize the impact of staff and students.
• A demonstrated ability to be collaborative and consultative.
• Knowledge of employment in the public sector.
• Establish and maintain strong and effective working relationships with others.
• Deal with highly emotional situations and individuals who are in crisis.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships within the university community and the broader community.
• Exercise diplomacy, tact, sensitivity, and discretion.
• Ability to document processes and provide clear instruction to others.
• A demonstrated practical approach to risk management.
• Ability to address dissension and work toward consensus.
• A personal commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

What We Offer

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. 

At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.
Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, paid winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre.

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, tournaments and certifications for students, employees and the public.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999.pdf).