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.
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date
Ongoing
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
UBC Sauder School of Business is one of the world’s leading business faculties. The school consistently ranks among the top 100 in the world and is recognized internationally for excellence in research and learning, an outstanding faculty and unmatched global partnerships. A collaborative and respectful culture within which all members of our community can thrive is a key principle in our strategic plan, and one that underpins our educational mission.
We acknowledge that UBC Sauder at the Vancouver Point Grey campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam. We acknowledge that UBC Sauder at UBC Robson Square is situated on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh.
The Robert and Barbara Atkinson Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UBC Sauder is an anchor point for all innovation and entrepreneurship activities at the school, providing support to current initiatives and defining new ones, as well as enhancing research, teaching, student experience, and external engagement in activities centered in innovation and entrepreneurship.
A key function of the Associate Director is to ensure the centre’s high visibility and outreach in both academic and business communities.
The Associate Director provides operational oversight and management in all areas of administration for the Robert and Barbara Atkinson Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Organizational Status
Reports to the Senior Associate Dean, Research. Works with the centre’s academic director, school’s senior leadership, faculty, employees, alumni, students and community members. Forms relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders across UBC, as well as with relevant business, government and institutional representatives.
Work Performed
Vision and Strategy
Works with the academic director to implement the vision and strategic direction of the centre.
With the centre’s academic director is responsible for developing strategic goals for the business operation. Conceptualizes and implements the short- and long-term strategies and objectives for the centre. Establishes and maintains system and processes. Continually evaluates the effectiveness, offers suggestions for improvement and implements continuous improvement initiatives.
With the centre’s academic director, leads the development and implementation of UBC and UBC Sauder strategic plans as they relate to entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives.
Operational Leadership
Manages and leads the centre’s activities, develops action items and deliverables to centre success.
Develops processes to monitor, evaluate and report on the centre’s activities progress with specified KPIs and OKRs, and makes linkages between operational commitments and the university-wide strategies.
Provides leadership to the centre in the areas of strategic planning, project management, human resources, administration, finance, IT/IS, marketing and communications, as well as the functional activities linked to education, research and outreach.
With the centre’s academic director, develops, implements and monitors the operating/capital budget annually.
Meets regularly with executive leaders and affiliates to provide/obtain reports on activities.
Provides meaningful support for other entrepreneurship initiatives at UBC Sauder (and relevant leaders). Examples would include the Creative Destructive Lab, Founders Lab, and the W. Maurice Young Centre for Entrepreneurship Research.
Academic and Co-curricular Programming
Develops and implements plans relating to new initiatives and expanded programs.
Undertakes planning for and implements further programming in partnership with faculty members to create specialized curriculum and to advance exposure by UBC Sauder students to entrepreneurship.
Develops and oversees internal programming for the centre (e.g., case competition coaching program, speaker events for UBC Sauder community, etc.).
Creates opportunities for hands-on engagement by UBC Sauder students and increases students’ connection to entrepreneurship by supporting academic programming and educational activities in UBC Sauder, across the university, and across a network of educational, business, government, and non-governmental institutions.
Works closely with select student leaders, clubs and activities including coordination to leverage existing opportunities, advance field-based engagements and raise awareness.
Engagement, Fundraising and Communications
Plans and hosts events to raise the profile of the centre and focus attention on each of the centre’s strategic goals.
Through centre’s activities, collaborates and engages with the business community, policy makers and the public to advance discussion, disseminate new research and share best practices related to entrepreneurship.
Develops and maintains a deep working knowledge of relevant research and current theoretical and applied scholarship relating to entrepreneurship.
Contributes to building UBC Sauder’s reputation by serving as a national thought leader on entrepreneurship topics.
Serves as an expert participant to local, national and international initiatives advancing values-based business practices.
Establishes, deepens and nurtures strong, collaborative relationships and partnerships with internal and external partners and engages stakeholders to promote the centre through networking and sponsorship opportunities.
Develops a network of entrepreneurship leaders and experts for the benefit of the UBC Sauder community including faculty, students and alumni.
Oversees the development of communications strategies, communications materials and messaging to effectively promote programs and increase centre’s and UBC Sauder’s external presence in academic and practical context on topics related to entrepreneurship.
Manages all aspects of partnerships and projects, especially those focusing on business development, project management, deliverables and quality outcome.
Responsible for the public relations for the centre and fundraising strategies in conjunction with the UBC Sauder Development Office; engages with donors, manages major gifts and endowments and provides fundraising and relationship management support to achieve goals.
Ensures communication of the centre’s activities and thought leadership by reporting to the Senior Associate Deans and Dean, contributing to UBC Sauder communication for external audiences, and through public reporting such an annual report for the centre.
Performs other duties as required.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
The extensive outreach by the Associate Director significantly affects the business and academic communities’ perception of UBC Sauder and UBC as a leader in innovation, business research and teaching. Poor decisions will impact the short- and long-term goals of the operation, as well as the reputation, and the financial position of the centre and UBC Sauder. Errors in judgement would immediately and significantly affect the administration of the unit, and the contractual obligations and reputation of the school and the University.
Supervision Received
Reports to the Senior Associate Dean, Research. Works independently under consultation with the centre’s academic director. Work is reviewed for attainment of objectives and effectiveness of results.
Supervision Given
Delegates and reviews the work of employees, research affiliates, interns and volunteers. Supervises and mentors project team members including research assistants and graduate students. Identifies staffing and volunteer requirements. Makes decisions related to recruitment, evaluation, termination.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of five 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
Preferred Qualifications
Master's or other advanced degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., business, entrepreneurship, innovation, or related field) is preferred.
Passion for and demonstrated knowledge in entrepreneurship, venture creation, innovation ecosystems, and scaling early-stage ventures.
Experience in a management position involving strategic planning, program development, and execution, ideally within an entrepreneurial or innovation-focused environment.
Demonstrated leadership experience in startups, high-growth ventures, venture capital, or entrepreneurial support organizations (e.g., incubators, accelerators).
Experience working in a large complex environment, preferably within a post-secondary or innovation-driven setting.
Self-motivated with a proven record of accomplishment leading and managing complex projects.
Ability to build collaborative relationships throughout the organization and liaise with internal and external stakeholders.
Experience and skills in writing grants and proposals.
Proficiency with basic MS Office applications.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong presentation skills.