Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Information Services, Level C2

Job Title

Manager, Engagement

Department

Director | Transit Projects | Campus and Community Planning

Compensation Range

$8,305.08 - $12,952.33 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

October 13, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Ongoing

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY

Campus and Community Planning is responsible for the planning of the Point Grey campus, both the academic core and the growing residential neighbourhoods, as well as strategic planning for the Okanagan campus. Planning activities include land use, sustainability, transportation and infrastructure planning, campus and urban design, heritage and public realm planning, and community services planning. In addition, this department plays a key role facilitating the relationship between the University and the University Neighbourhoods Association, which provides a range of community services for the over 12,000 residents currently living in residential areas. The Board adopted Campus and Community Planning "Engagement Charter" provides guidance and direction for the department's engagement practices. The department is supported by four functional units:

• Campus Planning and Design
• Sustainability and Engineering
• Planning: Development Services (including all permits and inspections for the Vancouver campus)
• Community Development and Engagement
• Okanagan Campus Planning & Development (dotted line relationship)

Together these units ensure that any choices made about the campus lands, buildings, infrastructure and transportation serve UBC's academic mission and advance sustainability. Traditional community planning functions, like land use and transportation planning, urban design review, development planning, heritage management and building permitting are handled in this department, as well as transit programs and building of cycling infrastructure. The department takes a strong role in the creation of a sustainable, complete on-campus community for faculty, staff, students and other residents that includes housing, transportation options, social and recreational facilities, green space, shops and services. Campus Sustainability activities include development of green building standards, programs to reduce waste, conserve energy, develop sustainable forms of energy production, effectively manage storm water, and coordinate community engagement in sustainability.

JOB SUMMARY
The Manager, Engagement, is a mid-level position within the Campus and Community Planning team with broad-reaching influence across the University as well as external reputational impact. The incumbent is responsible for strategy, design, implementation, reporting and evaluation of consultation initiatives for planning and policy projects for all units within Campus and Community Planning. Reporting to the Director, Engagement and Communications, the Manager also works closely with all other Campus and Community Planning Directors. In addition, the position has a dotted report to the Director, Communications. The Manager will be responsible for designing engagement approaches, managing consultation processes and for representing Campus and Community Planning to a broad range of individuals and groups, including students, faculty, staff, campus neighbours, external agencies and local governments. This position works closely with the Public Engagement team and other staff across the department.

Organizational Status
This position reports to the Director, Engagement and Communications and is also accountable to the Director of Communications on specific projects. The position requires extensive contact with the Directors of Campus and Community Planning, in addition to staff from C+CP, UBC Communications, UBC Sustainability Initiative, UBC Properties Trust, various UBC departments, the AMS and GSS, UNA, and others. The position requires extensive contact with the campus community and others through ongoing communication and consultation activities.

Work Performed

• The work involves project managing the engagement component of comprehensive university-wide planning projects, including conceptualizing, recommending, implementing, managing and evaluating a full range of public engagement plans focused on campus planning, and designed to enhance planning decisions and the reputation of the University. Examples include the planning of a new long range campus-wide plan, and updating Campus and Community Planning’s Engagement Charter taking into account EDI commitments and opportunities. The approach to public engagement goes beyond communications and includes strategies that enable two-way conversations with faculty, staff, students and residents at UBC that encourage a diversity of perspectives and create opportunities for those who participate to shape the outcomes..
• Develops, designs and implements engagement strategies, plans, programs and initiatives to ensure broad opportunities for input into planning initiatives. These plans are developed in collaboration with others in Campus and Community Planning and other departments and groups as appropriate.
• Evaluates and adjusts engagement programs and plans based on feedback from participants and stakeholders.
• Manages, participates in and occasionally leads public meetings, information sessions and planning sessions tied into campus and community planning work. This work often will require work outside normal working hours.
• Oversees and develops a wide range of public engagement techniques, including in-person workshops, open houses, surveys, online feedback and social media.
• Manages the development of public consultation materials, including display boards, info sheets, and presentations and works with engagement staff responsible for these tasks
• Facilitates public meetings and internal meetings, as required.
• Oversees and provides analysis and reporting for engagement processes. This includes summarizing input from consultation exercises for relevant planning teams and writing reports and consideration memos.
• Identifies opportunities and strategies to weave Campus and Community Planning's Engagement Charter into engagement initiatives.
• Scopes and leads an update to Campus and Community Planning's Engagement Charter, to ensure it reflects best practices in public engagement, including applying an equity, diversity and inclusion lens for engagement planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Develops strong rapport and relationships with all stakeholder groups, allowing for open and constructive communication and achievement of Campus and Community Planning objectives.
• Ensures all engagement activities at Campus and Community Planning are compliant with Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
• Acts as a spokesperson for Campus and Community Planning on engagement initiatives, when required.
• Exercises a high level of diplomacy and discretion in all interactions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Makes recommendations concerning engagement projects relating to Campus and Community Planning. Exercises professional and managerial judgment in advising senior administration on a variety of matters in which planning has potential university-wide impact. The consequence of error associated with this position is very serious in that poor judgment in the handling of these issues could have a negative impact on the reputation of the university; i.e., incorrect or erroneous information could cause embarrassment and loss of credibility for senior administrators. The campus community also has high expectations in terms of the level of engagement. The issues surrounding campus and community planning, if handled incorrectly, have the potential to alienate members of the local and neighbouring communities toward the university.

Supervision Received
Works under administrative direction of the Senior Manager, Public Engagement and has a dotted report to Director, Communications. Supervision and direction provided through a combination of verbal and written instructions. Recommendations are normally accepted as technically sound and feasible. Work is reviewed for attainment of objectives, effectiveness of results and soundness of judgment.

Supervision Given
May direct and manage the activities of other staff, including the assignment of duties and responsibilities and setting of priorities. May supervise contractors.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum seven years of related experience, or communication services, or the equivalent combination of education and experience

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

A university degree in Communications or Community Planning is preferred. Experience in a public engagement and consultation role dealing with local communities, regional and municipal governments, stakeholder groups and the general public preferred. Has the proven ability to develop, implement and evaluate effective and diverse community consultation strategies, programs and initiatives using a wide range of consultation styles and methods.
Experience in project management, managing teams of staff and/or consultants in complex dynamic environments.
Interest in continuing to develop innovative approaches to engagement, including in-person, online and through the use of social media both for themselves but also to assist the development and capacity building of peers and staff.

Experience or training in the development of engagement programs that foster respectful, diverse and inclusive participation and engagement.
Exceptional oral and written communication, presentation, facilitation and interpersonal skills.
Has the ability to establish a high level of rapport with senior management within the university community, stakeholders and opinion leaders; utilize judgment and sensitivity in presenting issues; and provide leadership and direction in determining appropriate courses of action.
Takes a proactive stance in solving problems and exhibits understanding and empathy, particularly when dealing with emotional topics of public concern. Able to quickly grasp the scope of specific issues and the potential impacts on the organization.
Understands the value of building relationships for the long-term.
Is comfortable with controversy and can effectively manage sensitive issues.
Exercises a high degree of diplomacy and discretion in all internal and external interactions.
Understands the dynamics of a fast-paced, ever-changing environment and can prioritize effectively. Is flexible and can manage changing priorities within a dynamic work environment.
Possesses a collaborative, team-focused working style.
Experience working in a municipal or university environment an asset.
Interest in issues related to sustainable community development.