Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level C

Job Title

Manager of Operations, Partnerships and Strategy

Department

UBCO | Strategic Research Initiatives | Vice Principal Research Office

Compensation Range

$7,851.50 - $12,243.25 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

August 11, 2026

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

Job End Date

September 30, 2026

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

Job Description

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

The Survive and Thrive Applied Research initiative (STAR) is hosted by the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus. UBC STAR seeks to be known as the premier global convener of research and development supporting human performance in extreme environments. We develop technologies, standards, and strategies for deployment in defense, sport and health sectors. We focus on use of intelligent materials, sensors and decision-support to enable near- and long-term response to before and after disaster situations, found in multiple scales from individual to regional crisis. We convene partnerships amongst university-sector researchers (UBC, Western Canadian, and global) and research-intensive partners (private, public, NGO). We bring these partners together in idea-generation symposia and in daily and research use of our technical facilities and enterprise incubator, as well as the facilities of our partners. We seek to generate applied research results needed by our partners, and to support regional development by engaging regional small and medium firms in value chains driven by international medium and large firms occupying long-term, leading roles in our Research and Development (R&D) consortia. We additionally seek to engage and benefit public sector actors, whether in use of our region as a living lab or as a co-development partner.

This position develops and manages relationships between key stakeholders and identifies and cultivates new partners and research relationships. Ensures sound governance, internal client engagement and external service client outreach. This position is responsible for communications, events and educational activities related to the large collaborative research projects. This position will work with considerable latitude and independence, engaging and collaborating with UBC researchers, students and staff together with UBC STAR facility service-users and external research partners.

Organizational Status

Reporting to the Director of UBC STAR and Vice Principal, Office of Research and Innovation if a Director is not in place, this position will ensure effective operations, management, and communication enabling achievement of UBC STAR strategic goals. Liaises with UBC researchers, students and staff, STAR service-users from beyond the university community, as well as research partners and prospects in private, public and NGO sectors locally, regionally and nationally.

Work Performed

Operations

Develops and manages the research and network infrastructure (including governance) with specific responsibility for day to day operation of STAR facilities. Manages all elements of the Airborne Sensing Laboratory project including daily problem solving, PacifiCan reporting requirements, project team leadership meetings facilitation and chairing, partner relations, communication, and tracking, researcher coordination, and controlled goods oversight and security plan implementation and adherence. Responds to STAR operational enquiries, identifies problems and makes recommendations. Manages the performance of STAR administration staff, establishing clear definitions of responsibility and workload for each employee to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the initiative. Establishes project timelines and workflow, including setting priorities and goals Develops and implements administrative and financial policies and procedures including documenting operations. Manages UBC STAR’s budget, including all budget approvals, lab costs, lease and sub-lease agreements and payments. Oversees the development and implementation of training/safety protocols for all personnel that enter the various STAR Laboratories and impact testing and machining facility Manages space and facilities planning for laboratory and research space needs both on campus and off Oversees timely and coordinated input of data from UBC STAR facilities operations, projects, partnerships and other sources into UBC STAR project management software and develops and produces regular and specialized reports Develops and delivers events; support for educational activities including speaker series, seminars and summer schools

External Liaison and Research Development

Facilitates and manages relationships with internal and external partners

Acts as a lead liaison to investigators, user's, employee's, UBC departments, vendor’s, industry professionals and SME stakeholders and clients to respond to, manage and monitor any tasks or inquiries. Develops strategies for finding new SME’s and research partners for the initiative Communicates and documents all new and emerging research partnerships, and service-user needs Works with Principal Investigators to identify research synergies and create research project opportunities for networked collaboration. Facilitates strategic planning workshops and team meetings; assist with the articulation of research plans. Advises researchers in writing project proposals, reviewing documents, identifying funding sources and developing funding applications for UBC STAR related research Articulates the vision, purpose and values of the VPRI and Provost/VP leads while communicating policies and priorities to stake holders and users.

Governance and reporting

Negotiates nonroutine contracts as needed

Facilitates the UBC STAR Management Committee and UBC STAR advisory groups Implements key performance indicators measuring UBC STAR-specific performance Creates progress reports identifying progress against project plan, outlining issues (both resolved and outstanding) and summarizing critical decisions made Creates reports for funding bodies and industry partners Other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position is expected to exercise considerable judgment and makes professional decisions and recommendations on all aspects of the facility. The position requires a high level of organizational skill to fulfill responsibilities, to balance priorities and to ensure workflow. Ineffective communication with the Office of Research and Innovation and UBC STAR staff, researchers and UBC STAR collaborative network research partners would result in operational delays, unmet deadlines, and could jeopardize the status of ongoing funding opportunities for the future of UBC STAR. Errors in judgement could severely jeopardize the reputation of UBC STAR and its relationships with stakeholders and potential partners. Provision of inaccurate information could lead to ineffective strategic planning, wasted resources or failed relationships leading to significant embarrassment or legal implications.

Supervision Received

The position works in a context of daily independence contributing to collective implementation of the UBC STAR Strategy, reporting to the Director and/or Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation. This position is expected to meet goals and objectives in a flexible and adaptive manner and be responsive to the dynamic nature of a research initiative that brings together a facility, a diverse group of UBC researchers, and a global network of researchers and partner organizations. Research facilitation activities are reviewed for conformity to established objectives and standards.

Supervision Given

Provides direction to, and works collaboratively with stakeholders (industry, academia, and government), staff, and faculty members to accomplish the tasks specified. Manages STAR staff.

Minimum Qualifications

For research work, a post-graduate degree or equivalent professional designation with a minimum of four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Otherwise, an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline is required with a minimum of six years of related experience, or an 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

Master’s degree in a relevant discipline preferred. Business management experience and training an asset. Government relations experience or demonstrable aptitude is an asset ideally demonstrated in the context of disaster management and recovery. Experience working within large organizations with complex partnerships is preferred. Demonstrated ability to work effectively independently and in collaboration with team members, staff and faculty. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community; and the ability to exercise tact and discretion. Ability and enthusiasm for working across organizational boundaries, and to be imaginative and creative in identifying and solving challenges and opportunities. Advanced verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to groups. Ability to exercise sound judgment, and the ability to exercise tact and discretion. Excellent organizational skills, and the ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines. Ability to identify, obtain, and effectively manage organizational resources (e.g., people, materials, assets, budgets). Intermediate skills in word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications. This position will require an individual who is comfortable in an atmosphere of ambiguity while systems, programs and projects are being established and continually developed.