The Writers Guild of Canada has appointed Christine Rutherford as director of strategy and outreach, a newly created position.

Rutherford, reporting to executive director Maureen Parker, will be responsible for developing strategy to strengthen the WGC’s collective bargaining activities, including member engagement.

“By dedicating someone of her skills and experience to this role, the WGC makes an enhanced commitment to collective bargaining,” said Parker in a statement Monday.

The appointment comes as WGC members voted to ratify the tentative Independent Production Agreement deal reached with the Canadian Media Production Association and the Quebec Film and Television Producers Association in September.

Rutherford has been with the WGC for almost 15 years, most recently as manager of agreement administration, a position which will be taken over by the WGC’s Jasmine Spei, who has worked for four years in the WGC’s industrial relations department.

Rutherford’s appointment is effective immediately.