| Job Title: | UWSA President |
|---|---|
| Reports To: | UWSA Board of Directors |
| Jobs Reporting: | Staff Advocacy Officer; Communications Officer; Operations and Engagement Advisor; Co-op student(s) |
| Salary Grade: | Incumbent’s regular salary + stipend equivalent to 10% of USG 13 |
| Date Approved by Board: | 2024-08-27 |
About the role
The University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) strives to improve working conditions in its unique role representing both non-management and management staff at the University of Waterloo (UW). The UWSA acts and advocates on behalf of UWSA members to the administration of UW. UWSA promotes open communication and collaboration between the UWSA and all members of the UW community, including confronting inequities and acknowledging issues in staff employment across UW.
The President is an elected role that serves as the chief executive officer of the UWSA. This role is unique in that it is available to University UW staff as a one-year secondment to the UWSA, meaning that there is no break in employment with the University. Before assuming the role of President, the successful candidate serves as President-elect for one year. During this year, the President-elect continues in their regular campus role while also working closely with the President, who helps prepare them to step into the role of President. This preparation may include recommending training to bridge any gaps in knowledge, skills, or abilities. At the end of the one-year secondment as President, the candidate returns to their regular campus role while serving as Past President, an additional one-year term. The Past President supports the President and provides continuity. The entire three-year term looks like this:
- Year 1 – remain in UW role and serve as President-elect
- Year 2 – full-time secondment to UWSA as President
- Year 3 – return to UW role and serve as Past President
The President-elect – President – Past President position is a unique opportunity for staff to develop an understanding of how the University works, build cross-campus relationships, and develop leadership capacity.
Primary Purpose
The President has overall strategic and operational responsibility for the UWSA’s employees, its programs & services, and the execution of its mission and strategic plan.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this role, you must meet these criteria for the full three-year term:
- Current regular full-time staff member as defined by UW Policy 54 – Definition of Staff, and
- UWSA active member
Key Accountabilities
Strategy and Organizational Leadership
- Strategic oversight of UWSA operations to ensure that all activities contribute directly to the advancement of its mission
- Lead and support the Strategic Plan by confronting inequities and acknowledging issues in our work across the University
- Maintain awareness of issues impacting members and member perspectives on these issues
- Work with the UWSA staff to develop strategic approach to resolve identified trends faced by members
- Understand and support the Board’s role in decision making
Staff Management
- Hires, manages, coaches, trains and develops UWSA staff
- Conducts regular ongoing performance planning and ensures adherence to the annual performance planning & review process as per university policy
- Supports development opportunities for UWSA employees that are internal and external to the University
Administrative Leadership
- Provide operational oversight to ensure that UWSA employees have the resources needed to effectively fulfill their job accountabilities and make progress toward their goals
- Oversee UWSA practices to minimize and mitigate risk wherever possible
- Recognize distinction between roles of UWSA employees and directors and ensure both have the support needed to excel in their respective roles
- Ensure that all association activities and events are undertaken in a manner that is efficient, effective, professional, financially responsible, and in alignment with UWSA mission
- Ensure that member support and advocacy is delivered in a timely, effective, and compassionate manner
- Oversee UWSA outreach strategy to welcome new members and engage existing members
- Ensure that UWSA employees maintain awareness of the work of University-level committees impacting staff working conditions
- Produce regular reports on programs and services and present to Area Representatives and members
- Ensure that adequate insurance coverage is in place for the corporation and the Board
Governance Support
- Ensure that Board adheres to its own governance model, meets its responsibilities, and always adheres to the laws under which it operates
- Ensure that the board is updated on key operational issues and activities so that they are well positioned to provide high-level strategic advice and guidance
- Plan and prepare information for board meetings in collaboration with the board chair
- Oversight of budget in collaboration with Treasurer and UWSA staff
- Provide the board with resources needed to streamline work and maximize impact
- Produce regular reports on progress toward strategic plan and present to the board
- Serve in ex officio roles assigned to President in UWSA By-laws and policies
Stakeholder Relations
- Serve as the official spokesperson for the UWSA
- Maintain awareness of member perspectives, identify opportunities to express those perspectives, and succinctly and persuasively express those perspectives to decision makers
- Ensure that UWSA has a presence at relevant community events
- Ensure that implementation of UWSA communications plan yields stakeholder communications that are effective, timely, and in alignment with UWSA mission
- Ensure that agreements between the UWSA and the University (such as memoranda of agreement, salary agreements) reflect the perspectives and best interests of members from different areas
- Ensure that UW staff perspectives are considered in policy development and other strategic initiatives
- Represent UWSA member interests on University-level committees responsible for enhancement of staff working environment/compensation
Attributes for Success
Education
- There are no specific educational qualifications required.
- Individuals with education and/or training in areas pertaining to the key accountabilities will be well positioned for success.
Experience
- There are no specific experience qualifications required.
- Experience, aptitude and/or interest in the following may prove beneficial:
- leading a team
- managing projects
- advocating and/or negotiating
- public speaking and/or teaching
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Individuals who possess the Knowledge/Skills/Abilities noted below will be well positioned for success:
- Familiarity with UW policies and procedures and a willingness to learn
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with solid interpersonal skills
- Ability to set the tone and be a role model for approachability, listening and responsiveness
- Ability to effectively manage people and projects
- Ability to learn and adapt to changing priorities
- Ability to collaborate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
- Ability to produce results in a largely self-directed environment
- Strong sense of integrity and trustworthiness with the ability to represent UWSA with tact and diplomacy
- Strong interest in social justice, ethics, governance, and equity
- Desire to continue to learn as a leader
Nature and Scope
- Contacts: Internal contacts include UWSA employees, UWSA Board Directors, UWSA members and prospective members; external contacts include University senior administrators, partners including other UW employee groups, and advocacy organizations at peer institutions.
- Level of Responsibility: Provides leadership and direction to internal contacts informed by UWSA mission and strategic plan; provides advice and support to external contacts.
- Decision-Making Authority: Full responsibility for all operational decisions; seeks input from advisory committees.
- Physical and Sensory Demands: Ability to pay attention to details while working with competing priorities.
- Working Environment: Periods of collaboration with internal and external stakeholders through electronic messaging, meetings, and phone conversations in on campus and remote office work, with frequent meetings (online and in person); periods of independent focus.
Equity Statement
UWSA acknowledges that we work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.
UWSA values the diverse and intersectional identities of its stakeholders. We regard equity and diversity as an integral part of our excellence and are committed to removing barriers for our employees and other partners. UWSA seeks to engage with those who embrace our values. We encourage candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or members of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities.