Senior Manager, Strategic Research Engagement

University of British Columbia • Vancouver, BC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio provides strategic leadership to advance UBC’s research and innovation priorities and strengthen the University’s position as a leading global research institution. The Senior Manager, Strategic Research Engagement leads the development of institutional strategies to position UBC for success in major mission driven research initiatives and national and international funding opportunities aligned with university priorities. The role provides strategic advice and decision support to the Vice President Research & Innovation. Working across the VPRI portfolio, Faculties, and central administrative units, the Senior Manager is accountable for institutional research related analysis, executive briefing materials, and external engagement to advance UBC’s research priorities. The role leads the development of institutional responses to major mission driven research related opportunities and issues, and manages key relationships with government, funding agency, and international partners to strengthen UBC’s competitiveness in major research initiatives and collaborative programs, including international opportunities such as the European Union’s Horizon Europe framework.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of eight years of related experience, 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.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience supporting strategic research initiatives, or major research funding proposals within a large research intensive university or comparable environment.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with government, funding agencies, faculty and external partners on strategic research initiatives including involvement in the development of large scale funding applications.
• Demonstrated success navigating complicated or contentious issues with stakeholder groups who may have competing or conflicting priorities.
• Comfortable in an ambiguous environment where diplomacy, discretion, and tact are paramount; Impeccable judgement in handling matters of a sensitive or non routine nature.
• Strong understanding of provincial, federal, and international research funding landscapes.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information and develop strategic briefings, reports, and presentations for senior leadership.
• Excellent written, communication, and presentation skills.
• Experience coordinating institutional responses to government consultations or strategic policy initiatives.
• Experience interpreting research related data and translating insights into strategic recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development of institutional strategies and coordinated approaches for UBC’s participation in major mission driven provincial, federal, and international research funding opportunities, ensuring alignment with UBC’s research priorities.
• Independently assesses strategic fit, institutional readiness, and competitive positioning for major research initiatives, and develops recommendations, briefing materials, and response plans for the Vice President Research & Innovation and senior leadership.
• Leads and coordinates university wide institutional responses to government consultations, federal policy initiatives, and requests for information on research related issues, convening and directing input from Faculties and central portfolios, including Vice President External Relations.
• Develops and is accountable for the quality of strategic research related documents prepared on behalf of the VPRI, including reports, white papers, briefing notes, executive correspondence, and responses to government, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and messaging in collaboration with VPRI Communications.
• Develops executive ready presentations, briefing materials, and strategic analyses for the Vice President Research & Innovation in advance of meetings and engagements with key external partners and stakeholders on research related matters, including provincial and federal governments.
• Leads and manages strategic relationships on behalf of the VPRI with key provincial, federal, and international stakeholders, identifying and advancing opportunities that enhance UBC’s ability to secure major research funding and participate in high value collaborative initiatives.
• Leads strategies to support and strengthen the success of UBC researchers in mission driven federal and international funding opportunities, partnerships, and consortia, including UBC’s participation in the European Union’s Horizon Europe program.
• Leads the identification and mapping of UBC’s research strengths to strategic research opportunities in order to inform institutional positioning, external engagement, and coordinated pursuit of major initiatives.
• Collaborates with the VPRI data analyst to interpret data and develop strategic insights, analyses, and recommendations that inform institutional priorities, opportunity assessment, and external engagement strategies.
• Proactively monitors and maintains expert knowledge of emerging provincial, national, and international research opportunities, funding directions, and policy developments, and advises the Vice President Research & Innovation on implications for UBC’s research strategy and positioning.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Benefits

• UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential.
• New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work.
• Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged.
• We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior