Executive Director and In-House Counsel

The York University Faculty Association (YUFA) invites applications for the position of Executive Director / In-House Counsel.

Should a candidate that can occupy both roles not be found, YUFA is open to hiring one individual for each role. However, candidates who meet the requirements of both aspects of the position are especially invited to apply.

YUFA was certified in 1977 as the bargaining agent for full-time faculty, librarians, archivists, and post-doctoral scholars at York University. YUFA now has about 1600 members and is led by an elected Executive Committee of fifteen. More information and all governance documents can be found at yufa.ca.

The Executive Director and In-House Counsel will assume duties and responsibilities as directed by the YUFA President and Executive Committee, interacting with YUFA officers and members, the York University administration, and managing YUFA staff (eight employees, represented by CUPE 1281).

The Executive Director’s duties include management and oversight of the Association’s operational and information systems, finances, employee relations, legal services, advocacy services, as well as relations with government and other unions.

The In-House Counsel duties include representation of YUFA members in arbitrations and other legal matters on behalf of YUFA, the provision of legal advice to the YUFA Executive (including on confidential labour relations matters), as well as assisting YUFA in collective bargaining (with both the Employer and the YUFA staff union).

The Executive Director and In-House Counsel will supervise and manage Association staff and assist the Executive Committee in staffing and hiring decisions. The General Operations Manager and In-House Counsel are management positions.

The successful candidate(s) will have excellent communication, advocacy, management, and interpersonal skills, and at least five years’ experience in a supervisory management position. Previous experience working in a unionized academic environment and with the interpretation of collective agreements is essential, and managerial experience in a non-profit environment is an asset. Candidates should have a minimum of a university degree and preferably a postgraduate degree or training in a labour-related field. Salary and benefits are competitive and based on qualifications and experience.

In-House Counsel applicants will have a law degree and preferably postgraduate training in a labour-related area. The successful candidate will have experience working in academic and/or unionized environments. Experience with interpreting collective agreements, the grievance and arbitration processes, and facility with legal/contract drafting is essential. The successful applicant must possess strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills; good writing skills are a must. The successful candidate will be able to work both independently and collegially as circumstances require.

The successful candidate(s) will have a combination of suitable educational background and working experience in staff management, labour relations, union member services and postsecondary education environments. The hiring committee will balance education and experience requirements.

The successful candidate(s) will be skilled in several of the following specific areas:

• Staff and People Management
• Organizing for Power training
• Advocacy work
• Labour relations
• Facilitation
• Communications across a variety of media
• Member engagement and mobilization
• Labour & Human Rights Law
• Union Grievance Principles & Processes
• Collective Agreement Interpretation
• General Dispute Resolution

In addition, they will demonstrate the following:

• Ability to work cooperatively with YUFA members, YUFA Executive officers, and YUFA staff
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to meet deadlines, multi-task, and coordinate work in stressful situations
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload demands
• Database, website, and computer skills
• Initiative and good judgment
• Extreme discretion in handling information, documents and queries

YUFA invites applications from all qualified individuals. YUFA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace. We welcome applications from members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and LGBTQ persons. YUFA will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant's accessibility needs. If you are contacted for an interview and require accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.

YUFA is a hybrid workplace; some attendance at events, meetings, and the YUFA office on the York University campus is necessary. Applicants should be clear about their expectations with respect to place of work.

Please submit an e-mail application with a cover letter, c.v., and full contact information for three references as a combined pdf file to yufa@yorku.ca , addressed to:

The Hiring Committee
YUFA
4700 Keele Street
240 York Lanes
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3

Posting Date: November 24, 2025. Candidates with the qualifications for either one, or both, of these positions are invited to apply. The position(s) will remain open until filled and start date is flexible.

We thank all applicants; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.