Director, Strategic Research Projects

Job Category

Job Title

Department

Posting End Date

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

Job End Date

This position is expected to be filled by an internal candidate and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

$150,000 annual salary (full-time)

Part-time position (0.5 FTE)

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 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 Description Summary
The Director, Strategic Research Projects is responsible for providing direction and leadership to the School of Engineering by creating and fostering a culture of research excellence and ambitious growth of the School of Engineering's strategic research priorities. Will foster innovation, collaboration, administrative direction, and mentoring of individual and collaborative teams of research faculty as well as research project managers. Will advise in the development of and assist in drafting applications for key projects that are aligned with strategic research initiatives that benefit the School. This work will be carried out with guidance from the Associate Director--Research and in close collaboration with the School of Engineering Director. The Director, Strategic Research Projects serves as the School of Engineering's operational lead in identifying, catalyzing, developing, and facilitating strategic research projects. This position will establish and maintain relationships with key points of contact, including internal and external research sponsors within the School of Engineering, Faculty of Applied Science, and VPRI Office. The position will support the business development activities of the Director, Business Development specifically within the areas of strategic priorities.

Organizational Status
This is a senior level Research Administration position in the School of Engineering. This position reports to the Director, School of Engineering, and works closely with the Director, Business Development, Associate Director—Research, and Associate Dean—Research within the Faculty of Applied Science. This position will work collaboratively with project managers within the School of Engineering. The position involves building relationships with research-related personnel affiliated with other Faculties and Schools as well as UBC's Office of Research Services (ORS), Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation (VPRI), Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic, SPARC, University Industry Liaison Office (UILO), and Institutional Programs Office (IPO) within the scope of the School of Engineering's strategic research priorities.

Work Performed

Collaborating with the Director, Associate Director of Research, and the research faculty to assess institutional, community, and global research needs, driving the development of a 5-year strategic research initiative that aligns with the School's values and resources.

Strategically position the School to secure external funding by cultivating partnerships and fostering collaboration with the Director of Business Development.

Provides strategic leadership to the research development team works with university administrators to identify and expand key strategic areas that enhance the School's research capacity and impact.

Guide and mentor faculty and research members in creating high-impact funding proposals aligned with the strategic priorities.

Ensure the timely and successful execution of strategic research projects by managing key timelines and aligning resources with institutional goals.

Mentoring project management teams to drive initiatives within strategic research priority areas, fostering excellence and innovation.

Identifies challenges in securing research grants and implement strategies to overcome obstacles, ensuring long-term success.

Explore and develop new funding opportunities aligned with the School's priorities, mentoring faculty teams to effectively target and secure these resources.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position plays a critical role in establishing effective research services within the School of Engineering. Decisions made by the Director, Strategic Research Projects could directly impact the successful operations of the School of Engineering and potentially UBC. Decisions could impact public image and reputation. Decisions made can create legal and financial liabilities for the University. Poor decisions and lack of tact, diplomacy, or sensitivity in dealing with industry and government partners could result in missed opportunities and loss of credibility for the University.

Supervision Received
Works with a wide latitude of autonomy and decision making. This position reports to the Director and works in collaboration with the Associate Director, Research.

Supervision Given
In the administrative capacity, provides strategic and administrative direction for research faculty for building research excellence and provides functional direction and mentorship to Project Managers. May assign and oversee direct work of Project Managers for strategic research initiatives.

Qualifications
Minimum

For research project leadership, a post-graduate degree or an equivalent professional designation is required with a minimum of five years of related experience, including experience in a field of specialization, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Otherwise, an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline is required with a minimum of seven 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

Previous senior management experience related to supporting research services or project management/leadership in a post-secondary institution setting.

Strong communication, negotiation, and collaboration skill

Expertise in applying knowledge and experience, both research and administrative, to complex multifaceted problems

Supervision and/or mentorship

High degree of analytical accuracy, innovative thinking, judgment and the ability to work independently

Demonstrated administrative and leadership skills

A broad knowledge of the University policies and procedures related to research administration and the University structure and operations.