Director, Operations and Planning Administration

About the role

The Office of the Vice‑Principal Research and Innovation (OVPRI) at UBC’s Okanagan campus seeks a senior leader to drive operational excellence and workforce strategy across its research and innovation portfolio. Reporting to the Vice‑Principal, this role will align people, processes and strategy to support high‑performing, future‑ready research initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee operational effectiveness and ensure efficient delivery of services within the research portfolio.
• Lead workforce strategy, including staffing, organizational design and workforce planning.
• Support and coordinate strategic initiatives such as Shared Research Platforms.
• Collaborate closely with senior academic and administrative leaders to align resources with institutional priorities.
• Provide high‑level guidance on financial planning, communications and cross‑disciplinary partnerships.

Required profile

• Extensive senior‑level experience in operations, planning or administration within a research, academic or innovation environment.
• Proven ability to lead large, diverse teams and manage complex organizational structures.
• Strong strategic thinking and change‑management capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills with senior university leadership.

Required skills

What we offer

• Competitive salary range of $8,305.08 – $12,952.33 CAD per month.
• Non‑union, permanent staff position with comprehensive benefits.
• Opportunity to shape the research enterprise at a leading Canadian university.