Pension & Benefits Committee

A representative on the Pension and Benefits Committee is needed with the qualifications necessary to exercise care, diligence and skill in the administration of the university’s pension and benefits plan.

Committee members have fiduciary responsibility to act in the capacity of trust and confidence and exercise discretionary authority over decisions of the plan’s funds.

Openings: 1
Term: September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2028 (with the possibility to renew for an additional three years)
Deadline: July 18, 2025

What’s involved

The Pension and Benefits (P&B) Committee monitors and evaluates the performance of the pension and benefits plan. The Committee recommends and initiates changes and improvements to the plan as required. Committee members must balance their fiduciary duty as a plan representative with advocating for the best interests of UW staff and other employees.

Committee members will be required to respond to questions from plan members about the pension and benefits plan. Committee members must be able to communicate effectively about the plan, proposed amendments and changes to the plan, and any other aspects of concern to plan members.

Staff representatives on the committee will be asked to keep communications open with pertinent updates to the UWSA leadership and for UWSA members.

Please see the Pension and Benefits Committee Terms of Reference for more details.

Qualifications

We encourage applications from members with the following qualifications:

• Numeracy skills, including probability, statistics, and financial analysis
• Strong analytical skills and understanding of actuarial accounting
• Relationship-building and collaboration skills
• Previous experience on committees and/or governing boards
• A willingness to share their opinions in a university committee setting and stand up for the best interests of staff
• Public speaking skills

The UWSA will provide training and conference attendance to help you improve your knowledge about pension programs, trends, relevant legislative developments, and more.

Time commitment

The committee typically meets monthly from September to March, and in May and June. Substantial meeting preparation time is to be expected.

Relationship with the UWSA

UWSA appointees on University of Waterloo committees are asked to keep in touch with the UWSA Operations Team regularly so we can work together to gather input, coordinate responses, and keep members informed. All appointees are also ex officio members of the Area Representatives Council and may have opportunities to share updates at meetings or on Teams. The two Pension and Benefits Committee representatives together will be asked to submit a brief annual report summarizing the activities of the committee for the year.

How to apply

Please submit the UWSA committee application form by July 18. Please direct any questions to uwsa@uwaterloo.ca. Applications will be reviewed by the end of July. The UWSA Appointments Committee may call upon applicants for interviews.