Director, Student Housing and Community Services, Okanagan

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - Service Unit Director

Job Profile

SUD - Business Operations Mgmt, Level I

Job Title

Director, Student Housing and Community Services, Okanagan

Department

Senior Leadership | Student Housing and Community Services

Compensation Range

$12,755.08 - $19,905.67 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.

Posting End Date

April 5, 2026

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 Description Summary

Business Operations is comprised of five ancillary operational units on the Okanagan campus: Student Housing, Conferences and Accommodations, Food Services, the UBC Okanagan Bookstore, and Parking Services.



The Director, Business Operations is responsible for providing strategic leadership, vision and overall direction to a diverse group of University service units dedicated to providing the University community with products and services focused on the customer s needs and enhancing the UBC experience.

Organizational Status

Works independently under the direction of the AVP, Finance and Operations and the Managing Director of Student Housing and Hospitality Services. The position also has functional responsibilities to the AVP Students Okanagan and the Managing Director, University Community Services.

This position develops and maintains positive productive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders including the Okanagan Leadership Team (OLT), Faculties and Academic Departments, Campus Planning and Development, and UBC Vancouver departments.

Work Performed

General

- Formulates and leads the strategic plan and vision for the overall management of Student Housing, Conferences and Accommodations, Food Services, the Okanagan Bookstore and Parking Services.

- Accountable for the long range planning initiatives, which coordinate with the goals and objectives of the Campus, and identify critical issues in the success of achieving these goals and objectives. The Strategic Plan will clearly articulate the service orientation of the Departments and five year financial plans to ensure that they meet the ongoing needs of the University and maximize new business and service opportunities.

- Develops business plans and other reports for senior administration of the University.

- Accountable for achieving the objectives established in this Plan with the AVP Finance and Operations and sets out the rationale for variances and recommends appropriate modifications for the remainder of the year.

- Develops and delivers strategic updates to the University Board of Governors on activities within Business Operations.

- Accountable for the overall profit and loss of the unit and is accountable for creating, achieving and reporting annual financial forecasts and business plan goals.

- Assesses overall management effectiveness and leads continuous improvement initiatives throughout the departments, establishing appropriate management responsibilities and organizational structures and ensuring the departments and the services they provide are running effectively and efficiently.

- Strategically liaises with key stakeholders, leading others toward the achievement of the department s goals by effectively communicating the department s vision, coordinating resources, advancing priorities, building commitment and ensuring effective execution on key integration projects.

- Developing and overseeing the implementation of mechanisms, policies, procedures and programs for the departments within Business Operations.

- Setting the direction for the management of human resources issues within the Leadership Team of Business Operations, including labour relations, recruitment, orientation, training, performance evaluation, discipline and dismissal.

- Utilizing best practices in Human Resources across the portfolio, ensures a high quality of personnel in each of the units through effective staff selection, communicating clear operating procedures and expectations, appraisal, promotion, succession planning, and retention programs.

- Providing overall leadership and direction to team members and fosters the development of management practices and a positive, caring work culture with a focus on continuous improvement in the relationships with customers.

- Identifies & develops strong relationships and networks across the University including with the Executive, Deans, Unit Heads, Faculty, UBC Properties Trust, AMS, Alumni Association and Board of Governors.

- Identifies, develops and maintains effective relationships with vendors, publishers, other institutions and organizations with an interest in furthering the goals and interests of the University.

- Performs other duties as required.



Student Housing

- Strategically leads and directs student housing at UBC Okanagan ensuring student service standards, systems and financial targets.

- Leads the provision of a living environment for students that is consistent with University goals and standards and is conducive to social and developmental needs.

- Ensures occupancy is effectively managed to meet the strategic enrollment and recruitment initiatives of the University.

- Leads and oversees capital growth plans and on-going maintenance of capital assets.

- Responsible for maintaining long term financial viability of operation.

- Leads and directs residence life practices and oversees the provision of a quality residence life program.

- Leads and oversees the development of an effective client survey, ensuring it is in place to evaluate the service provided the areas of responsibility are meeting or exceeding customer expectation. Takes action to improve on departments performance as needed.



Conferences and Accommodations

- Strategically leads and directs the operations and is responsible for optimizing yield management to support the financial pro formas.

- Leads and cultivates an active sales focus to drive summer use of campus.

- Maintains up to date knowledge on the conference and accommodation industry to remain competitive in the field.

Bookstore

- Oversees the overall direction for merchandising, inventory management, sales and customer services standards, marketing, systems and financial targets.

- Manages the Bookstore Manager and regularly reviews results to the established goals and customer service indicators, making adjustments as required

- Maintains an up to date knowledge of retail trends in the college store marketplace, especially related to the evolving coursebook industry, and adjusts the store s operations to meet the changing needs.



Food Services

- Provides leadership to the management team that is accountable for the ongoing management of the business segments within Food Services at UBC Okanagan, and ensures that management activities are consistent with the mission, philosophy, culture and goals of SHHS and the University.

- Analyzes financial reports, approves Meal Plan pricing rates, all departmental budgets, and selling prices for the Okanagan campus. Is fully accountable for the financial integrity of the department.

- Champions principles of health, well-being, and nutrition for all areas of responsibility

- Ensures all employees work in a correct, safe manner, and are trained in regard to all necessary safety and environmental regulations, standards, practices and procedures. Ensures safety practices are in compliance with applicable WorkSafeBC regulations, UBC Student Housing and Hospitality Services policy and UBC policy.

- Provides direction to ensure provision of diverse, high quality menu offerings, including a focus on healthy and sustainable options.

- Leads and approves all new operations and renovation projects for the Okanagan campus within Food Services. Works closely with off-campus consultants and/or designers in order to ensure market demands are being met.

- Develops and approves partnerships and/or franchise agreements with off-campus food operators and departmental suppliers, including contracts and other service agreements as required.

- Proactively monitors changing food trends to ensure that the provision of food to the Okanagan campus community meets current and future demands.

- Represents the Department and/or the University in its relations with both external and internal organizations, government representatives, associations, departments, agencies and committees and handles escalated problems or complaints.

- Develops and maintains relationships with key clients, faculty, industry partners and contacts in relevant associations.



Parking Services

- Leads, develops, and directs the implementation of the parking master plan for the Okanagan campus.

- Strategically leads and directs budget growth and strategies that maximize business opportunities to ensure physical assets are maintained and future needs are addressed and support the UBC Okanagan Campus Plan.

- Delegates and sets priorities to ensure all required capital and routine maintenance, operations are carried out in full compliance with operational protocols, building codes and regulations.

- Promotes and implements sustainable options and choices whenever possible.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

The position is critical to the success of the departments within Business Operations and the products and services that they provide. The Director, Business Operations is accountable to the AVP Finance and Operations and the Managing Director Student Housing and Hospitality Services for the successful planning and operation of service units at the Okanagan campus. The Director, Business Operations must apply judgment, tact and discretion due to the broad and extensive implications for the success of Business Operations in the areas of strategic, operational, financial and human resource management. Decisions made could impact the reputation of the University and the departments within Business Operations, across campus, and within the broader community. Errors in judgment could lead to harm to students, diminished student success, unnecessary loss of revenue, or shorten the useful life residence, food service, parking and book store facilities. Inappropriate decisions or communications could jeopardize the reputation of the University, or put the University at risk liability claims.

Supervision Received

The Director, Business Operations has a dual report to the Associate Vice President, Finance and Operations and the Managing Director of Student Housing and Hospitality Services.

Supervision Given

Responsible for hiring, training, coaching, evaluating and terminating staff. Provides direction to staff by establishing work objectives and reviewing work as required. The position has three managers and two associate directors as direct reports which oversee an addition five managers. The position indirectly supervises a minimum of seventeen union staff members, fifteen seasonal union staff members and more than sixty-five student employees. Additional indirect supervision of contract food service staff in excess of 120 employees.

Minimum Qualifications

- 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

Undergraduate degree in relevant discipline. Over ten years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in retail sales or operations management. Strong communication skills to effectively represent issues and options to the campus community. Experience in preparing and presenting information at the Board and Executive level to assist in decision-making. Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate staff using coaching and empowerment. Strong interpersonal and oral and written communication skills, emphasizing listening, and negotiating; bargaining, compromising, and conciliation; ability to summarize needs, determine priorities and necessities. Demonstrated leadership and organizational abilities; mature judgment, ability to make decisions under time constraints, managing risk and uncertainty, multi-tasking, and ability to set priorities. Knowledge and skills in financial planning, project management, and marketing activities including analysis of customer transactions and the incorporation of new marketing and communications vehicles (social networking, web capabilities). Advanced level computer skills, specifically with MS Windows programs.