Director of Organizing and Labour Relations

Director of Organizing and Labour Relations Canadian Association of University Teachers

Posted:
January 27, 2026

Canadian Association of University Teachers - Director of Organizing and Labour Relations

Since 1951, the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) has defended the rights of teachers, librarians, researchers and other academic staff in Canada’s public post‑secondary institutions. With 75,000 members at over 130 colleges and universities nationwide, CAUT advocates for quality, accessible post‑secondary education. CAUT unites and empowers academic staff associations at Canada’s public universities and colleges. They defend academic freedom, the integrity of the academic job and high‑quality, accessible and affordable post‑secondary education.

Working with associations across the country, CAUT brings national and international perspectives to help solve local challenges. They also bring local priorities to the national agenda, influencing federal policy and investments in research and post‑secondary education.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Organizing and Labour Relations provides strategic leadership and oversight of CAUT’s organizing, collective bargaining, labour relations, education, and applied research functions. The Director is responsible for coordinating staff and activities that strengthen member associations through organizing (including certification drives), bargaining and campaigns, strategic research, education programs, and capacity‑building initiatives. As part of the management team, the Director contributes to CAUT’s strategic, operational, and financial planning, ensuring that labour relations, organizing, and education strategies are fully integrated with the Association’s advocacy, legal, and communications work.

The ideal candidate is an experienced leader with deep labour relations and organizing expertise within a unionized environment, and a proven ability to develop and lead high performing teams. A strong communicator, they build trust and credibility among diverse stakeholders. They bring significant experience advising unions or associations on organizing, bargaining, and contract campaigns, supported by a sophisticated understanding of Canadian labour relations frameworks, certification processes, and collective bargaining strategies, along with strong political acumen in the labour and post‑secondary sectors.

This is a publicly advertised job posting for a new vacancy. Expected compensation 170k – 200k CAD (salary + bonus + other monetary remuneration).

Odgers does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants for a position.

To fill this position, CAUT has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online at  We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.

CAUT is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers and CAUT throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self‑Declaration Form. ()