Ville : Vancouver

Catégorie : Full time

Industrie : Educational Services

Employeur : University of British Columbia

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level C

Job Title

Manager, Research and Strategic Initiatives

Department

Administrative Leadership | Department of Civil Engineering | Faculty of Applied Science

Compensation Range

$7,622.83 - $11,886.67 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

April 21, 2026

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

Job End Date

December 31, 2026

 

 

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 Manager, Research and Strategic Initiatives supports the Head of the Department by providing leadership and strategic direction in the development of special projects of strategic importance in the Department, in addition to providing research support in the development of competitive, institutional, and industry-based funding proposals. The role will primarily work with the Head and faculty to identify and develop initiatives that align the Department’s priorities with the broader UBC and APSC Strategic Plan while further strengthening collaborations among faculty, research priorities, and academic programming in the Department. 

In addition to working with the Head and faculty in the Department of Civil Engineering, this role will liaise and build cross-department partnerships within and beyond the Faculty of Applied Science to facilitate synergies and efforts to develop projects of strategic importance. Key partners include the Faculty of Applied Science Research Development and Partnerships, UBC Support Programs to Advance Research Capacity (SPARC) and other grant administration units such as ORS, IPO, UILO etc. to provide services to increase the ability of faculty members to secure NSERC, industry-based, and other related funding. The Manager, Research and Strategic Initiatives will also work with the Faculty of Applied Science, to align Department initiatives with broader strategic goals while driving projects that build capacity for strengthening the profile of the Department of Civil Engineering. This role involves designing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion resources for the Department as it aligns with broader services provided by the UBC Equity and Inclusion Office and the Faculty of Applied Science EDI Committee. The Manager, Research and Strategic Initiatives will also assist faculty with recruiting top graduate students and postdoctoral fellows by providing support on -major scholarships, as well as competitive postdoctoral fellowship programs. This role will include identifying interdisciplinary research synergies, matching funding opportunities and working with teams of faculty and possibly external researchers and other stakeholders to submit highly competitive funding proposals. The role supports the strategic promotion of the Department’s research, academic, and special initiatives through the development of communications strategies, outreach materials, and stakeholder-facing content that strengthen the Department’s profile, enhance engagement, and raise awareness of its achievements and priorities.

 

Organizational Status
Reports directly to the Department Head and works collaboratively with the APSC Research Development and Partnerships, the Faculty of Applied Science Associate Dean of EDI and the Equity and Inclusion Office, and the Faculty of Applied Science Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives team. Manages administrative staff while they support research development, strategic and special projects, and research-related EDI initiatives within the Department.

Work Performed

Research Development

• Works collaboratively with members of the APSC Research Development & Partnerships and SPARC team to expand research-funding opportunities for Civil Engineering faculty, including international opportunities and industry partnerships

• Provides strategic and editorial feedback on grant and award proposals, advises faculty on the review processes and funding requirements, provides one-on-one consultation to faculty and associated teams with the aim of improving the competitiveness of funding proposals   

• Provides grant and research development support to individual teams, collaborators, and other stakeholders on large competitive grants by identifying research synergies, grant opportunities, matching funding, and developing proposals for large-complex competitions

• Maintains a repository of upcoming grant opportunities to guide faculty on developing their funding and grant application trajectory while communicating funding opportunities to a broad audience of faculty, research associates, collaborators, and students

• Plans, manages and coordinates the delivery of educational programs (e.g., information sessions, strategic grant working seminars, CCV training sessions) for the NSERC DG and other NSERC competitions as needed within the Department. This may involve recruiting guest speakers and developing the programs in collaboration with APSC and SPARC

• Plans and manages the support services to improve funding success for researchers applying for a variety of grants such as MITACS, CFI/JELF/BCKDF, UBC Grants for Catalyzing Research Clusters (GCRC), Networks of Centres of Excellence, and others. Directs faculty to services offered by the Faculty of Applied Science & UBC, for example SPARC

• Maintains an up-to-date database of research performance measures for all research faculty in the Department. Benchmarks the Department's performance measures against other comparable units such as other Engineering Departments at UBC and Civil Engineering Departments at other universities. Provides regular reports to individual faculty members and the Department on research performance indicators. Advises individual faculty members on how to improve their performance measures.

• Identifies opportunities to improve the recruitment of top graduate students and postdoctoral fellows by providing support on competitive major scholarships

• Works closely with the Graduate Awards Committee and Student Services on developing nomination packages for competitive graduate scholarships and postdoctoral fellowships

• Provides EDI research and scholarship-related resources and advice to faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and other stakeholders on EDI in a team environment, team composition, training, research design, and impact of research on communities.

Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects

• Guides the development of strategic initiatives that are complex in scope, impact and diversity of stakeholders with significant long-term importance and consequence to the Department. Examples of such initiatives include, but are not limited to, developing research programs with industrial partners, building strategic partnerships with external and international stakeholders, and managing high-profile events.

• Works with Department Head in the development and implementation of short and long-term strategic plans. Monitor compliance with strategic plans to ensure progress is made toward key objectives in a timely manner and that the momentum needed to drive these initiatives is sustained

• Develops and implements Department-wide initiatives that align with the overall APSC strategic plan. Collaborates with key experts across units to develop and implement strategic initiatives that benefits the Department

• Leads project planning; provide solutions; manage, develop and execute identified goals, priorities and objectives from inception through completion in keeping with the strategic directions set by the Head

• Manages the processes and timelines associated with formal consultation and engagement with the Civil community on proposed plans, strategies and approaches

• Independently researches, prioritizes and recommends appropriate course of action, referrals or responses on matters identified by the Department Head, as it relates to strategic initiatives 

• Provides regular reports and updates on strategic initiatives and special projects, including the provision of success metrics, tangible outcomes resulting from changing planning, and options of problem resolution

• Leads strategic communications, marketing, and outreach initiatives to strengthen the department’s reputation, support student engagement and recruitment, promote research and events, and build industry and community relationships. Responsible for developing and managing multi-channel content across web, social media, newsletters, print, and digital platforms, while ensuring brand alignment, message accuracy, and effective stakeholder collaboration.

• Works collaboratively with the APSC EDI Committee and sub-committees, APSC Associate Dean EDI, Equity and Inclusion Office, and EDI Committee in Civil Engineering to develop EDI best practices for the Department. Designs and conducts benchmarking practices such as surveys. Conducts research, analysis, and writes high-level reports on Department-specific EDI initiatives for the annual Research/Annual Report and other Department-based benchmarking initiatives.

• Develops and assists with special projects and initiatives and supports project management, planning, facilitation and evaluation of strategic planning initiatives.

• Assists in coordinating training sessions such as EDI workshops, delivering EDI courses for faculty and graduate training, and assessing impact of training

• Organizes and coordinates the activities for special events associated with strategic planning and research initiatives including, visiting guests, tours, information sessions, workshops and symposia.

• Advises and serves on relevant staff and faculty committees.

• Plans and implements communication strategies for key projects in collaboration with the Communications Manager.

Other Duties

• Performs other duties in support of the Department's strategic initiatives as required

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This is an important research and development role, and has considerable freedom to act in carrying out project tasks in related disciplines. A high degree of judgment and initiative is required to manage an effective review and submission process of research proposals in the department. Research grant applications that are not reviewed or processed properly may result in a loss of funding or may commit the Department to unacceptable award conditions. Must exercise judgement based upon a thorough knowledge of procedures, guidelines and regulations. The Manager is expected to exercise a high level of accountability and judgement. Work requires diplomacy, confidentiality, and an understanding of multi-interdisciplinary research projects and university governance. Requires strong organizational skill to fulfill responsibilities and to balance priorities. Communications are sensitive and demand excellent interpersonal skills and absolute integrity.

 

The position must exercise judgement and strong analytical thinking in the sourcing and selection of potential grants and the relevance of market and industry trends and intelligence. Work requires the ability to quickly absorb large amounts of complex scientific and industry information and an understanding of how to translate this information to economic benefits for the Department. Errors would result in missed revenue opportunities, and/or inefficient use of time and re-sources pursuing unfruitful avenues of funding or commercial partnership opportunities. As such, errors would have a significant negative impact on the financial sustainability of the research in the Department. Work is reviewed in terms of fulfillment of mandates and achievement of unit goals.

Supervision Received
Receives high-level direction from the Department Head. Works collaboratively with members of the APSC Research Development and Partnerships team, SPARC, APSC Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives, and APSC EDI Committee and APSC Associate Dean, EDI. Collaborates with members involved in the Graduate and Awards Committee, Faculty Awards Committee, Large Grants Committee, and EDI Committee. Must exercise judgment in duties and responsibilities and in identifying unusual matters that require consultation, further investigation, etc. before taking action.

Supervision Given
Manages administrative staff while they support research development activities, competitive graduate scholarship and postdoctoral fellowship programs, research-related EDI initiatives, and research-related external communications and outreach material.

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

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Post-graduate degree strongly preferred with a PhD in a relevant field. A minimum of 5 years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Grant writing experience essential. Proven mastery of English grammar, punctuation and matters of Tri-Council writing style is essential.

• Ability to follow and record committee discussions that may involve natural science and engineering, health and social science and humanities terminology.

• Familiarity with graduate student programming, graduate scholarship and postdoctoral programs, Tri-Council writing style and criteria.

• Demonstrated training and experience on equity, diversity, and inclusion or intercultural competencies in related disciplines preferred. Proven experience and demonstrated knowledge in the development, implementation and facilitation of educational and research support programs related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, preferably in a university setting.

• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders across the Department and campus, as well as industry partners, to develop and sustain effective and collaborative partnerships.

• Ability to read difficult or complicated text analytically and critically. Ability to understand and apply policies, procedures, and instructions Ability to make effective presentations is essential. Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities. Ability to deconstruct program guidelines and break them down into clear descriptions of actions and essential steps for new faculty.

• Ability to exercise tact and discretion.

• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with groups and individuals such as senior level academics, researchers, government agencies and UBC administration, is essential.

• Ability to effectively use computer skills at an intermediate level. (e.g., Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and other media software).

• Proven management and marketing experience in a large, multi-functioning, complex organization. Proven ability to take lead on new projects.

• Ability to analyze and interpret data, determine implications, and provide recommendations. Ability to exercise sound judgment.

• Ability to make thoughtful, informed, and thorough decisions. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and to summarize relevant information in clear and succinct English.

• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment. Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve.

• Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.