Director, Strategic Planning & Operations

Job Title

Director, Strategic Planning & Operations

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Administration, Level D

Job Family Group

Staff - Non Union

Department

School of Biomedical Engineering | Faculty of Medicine | Provost and VP Academic

Compensation Range

$8,810.92 - $13,202.50 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.

Job End Date

Ongoing

Posting End Date

November 11, 2026

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

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 of Strategic Planning & Operations is responsible for providing comprehensive strategic oversight and management in all areas of administration and school operations including human resources, financial planning, resources allocation, space management, capital projects, health and safety, strategic plan implementation, project management, policy development and implementation, IT and communications for the School of Biomedical Engineering. This senior leader role provides direction in establishing innovative practices and programs in support of strategic priorities and operational requirements to meet the School s mandate of teaching, research and service. This position provides authoritative administrative advice to the School Director on finance, human resources, resources allocation, school operations and implementation of strategic priorities.

The incumbent requires a high degree of independent, executive decision-making, an ability to assess and implement work required to achieve objectives, strong organizational skills, diplomacy and the ability to provide leadership in creating positive and supportive work environments. The incumbent provides indirect and direct supervision and oversight to staff in all units in the School. The incumbent provides authoritative advice to faculty and develops infrastructure systems of support in all areas of administration, policy and procedure interpretation, human resources, financial planning, proposal development, IT support, and other resources to support faculty in their work.

The incumbent is required to develop, foster and maintain excellent relationships, both internal and external to the School, with an awareness of external and internal political and economic environments. This position acts as the senior administrative representative for the School, contributing to the School, the Faculties of Applied Science and Medicine, UBC units and partner organizations through participation in various committees, working groups, meetings and projects.

Organizational Status

The School of Biomedical Engineering (SBME) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) was established as a strategic partnership between the Faculties of Applied Science and Medicine in 2017, with more than 20 core and joint faculty currently. The School is a nucleus for education and training, research, and innovation in biomedical engineering, creating new knowledge, new academic and training programs, and fostering translation and innovation, aspiring to be a global leader in the field. Over the next few years, the School will be recruiting 15+ new faculty. At steady state, SBME will be responsible for as many as 400+ undergraduate students, 150+ graduate students, 45+ faculty and 15+ staff. In addition, the Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), an interdisciplinary research centre with over two decades of history focused on regenerative medicine that also acts as a technology hub on the UBC campus, has been transferred into the School, which has over 30 faculty, staff and students.

The Director of Strategic Planning and Operations is the school s senior administrative liaison for the Faculties of Applied Science and Medicine and central UBC units, responding to queries and directives, contributing to administrative policies and processes, participating in committees, and disseminating communications and changes in institution and specific policies of the Faculties to School members as appropriate. This position develops relationships with those internal to UBC and the Faculties of Applied Science and Medicine as well as those external including partner institutions, health authorities, collaborative research partners and others as required to facilitate appropriate administrative support and ensure consistent application of policies and practices in School operations and relationships.

Work Performed

Strategic Initiatives and Direction

Participates as a member of the School’s Leadership Team in the development of strategic priorities, goals and objectives for the School; establishes and participates in other School committees, working groups, task forces as required in support of strategic priorities and administrative and operational efficiencies ensuring stakeholder representation;

Works under the direction of and in partnership with the School Director, meeting weekly to develop strategies to improve School operations, advance strategic priorities, and implement new initiatives;

Develops and provides leadership, direction and guidance for strategic administrative and financial efficiencies for the School and its members; aligns overall management and administrative functions of the School within its mission, vision and strategic priorities and those of the Faculties of Applied Science and Medicine and UBC;

Directs the development and implementation of specific initiatives in support of School strategic and operational priorities and opportunities; provides administrative leadership, project oversight and reporting as needed;

Responsible for maintaining and reviewing faculty demographic data and salary information as a part of 5 and 10 year financial planning for faculty retention and recruitment for the School considering salary award end dates, secondments, study leaves, etc.;

Works with the School Director, Director Graduate Program and Director Undergraduate Program to further advance and improve core education programs and to establish priorities for the development and implementation of new education programs;

Develops and implements School policies and procedures to achieve administrative and financial efficiencies while ensuring compliance with UBC and Faculties of Applied Science and Medicine policies, procedures and employment agreements; advises School members on policies, procedures and employment agreements;

Initiates and provides direction for business and workflow process reviews in the School; develops and implements changes to improve administrative efficiency and internal controls in support of new initiatives and priorities within the School, Faculties of Applied Science and Medicine and UBC; and

Authorizes staff appointments; hires, develops, supervises, coaches, evaluates, disciplines and terminates staff; overall responsibility for directly or indirectly managing 15+ staff appointees.

Human Resources and Leadership

Directs the strategic planning and management of human resource activities in the School ensuring equity and compliance with employment agreements;

Provides leadership and oversees School human resources services, employee relations, staff development, equity and terms