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
OngoingThis position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.
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
This position is a leadership role within the School of Engineering, responsible for the oversight and operational excellence of all teaching and research laboratories across multiple locations. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity, safety, and efficiency of the School’s technical infrastructure, including equipment, space, and resources. This position leads asset management initiatives, contributes to financial planning (both capital and operating), and develops policy for the School of Engineering’s labs in partnership with faculty, management, and leadership staff. They foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration based on the School of Engineering’s values, with a strong focus on service.
This role demands advanced technical expertise, leadership skills, and the ability to effectively manage complex projects and multidisciplinary teams. This position will ensure operational efficiency, safety compliance, and strong collaboration with internal and external interested parties.
Organizational Status
The School of Engineering (SoE) is part of UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science—one of the largest and most interdisciplinary faculties at the university—serving over 1,800 students at UBC Okanagan. The school offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Computer Engineering.
This position reports to the Director of the SoE and works closely with other members of the leadership team, faculty, technical staff, and other support staff within the unit. This role also engages with UBCO service units such as Facilities, Planning, Finance, Campus Operations, and Risk Management.
Work Performed
Infrastructure & Asset Management:
Leads the planning, acquisition, and lifecycle management of laboratory equipment and infrastructure assets.
Develops and implements asset tracking systems and capital replacement strategies to ensure long-term sustainability.
Collaborates with faculty and researchers to align infrastructure investments with academic and research priorities.
Monitors infrastructure conditions and initiate proactive maintenance and upgrades to mitigate risk and ensure operational continuity.
Operations, Space Planning, and Quality Control:
Manages the day-to-day operations of the SoE research and undergraduate lab facilities, ensuring optimal utilization of space and resources.
Serves as a key member of the SoE Space Committee, advising on space allocation and design to support evolving academic and research needs. Leads space planning initiatives, including renovations, relocations, and technical upgrades, in coordination with the Manager, Administration, and UBC service units.
Oversees major renovation projects and the design of the overall technical environment of teaching labs, including electrical upgrades, overseeing room upgrades and equipment installation, and ensuring relevant stakeholders are included in the planning. Collaborates with other UBC departments (e.g., Campus Operations and Risk Management, Planning, Campus Security, IT Services, etc.) for renovation projects.
Researches, identifies and recommends functional laboratory configurations and space requirements for undergraduate and research laboratories.
Evaluates and improves service delivery by applying lean principles such as eliminating waste, streamlining workflows, and standardizing processes to enhance responsiveness, reliability, and overall user experience.
Develops and implements quality control systems that measure the effectiveness of research resource allocations, ensure fair distribution of research support, compliance with safety standards, and consistently demonstrate an efficient use of resources delivered to undergraduate labs.
Facilitates interactions between researchers and lab technicians to support research activities regarding equipment installation, maintenance and operation.
Collaborates with teaching lab course instructors and other laboratory interested parties to identify new undergraduate equipment needs, and implement decisions in consultation with the Curriculum Committee.
Leadership and Staff Development:
Manages and mentors technical staff, including Technical Leads, Lab Technicians, and the Environment, Health, and Safety Associate, ensuring effective recruitment, development, and performance oversight. Champion staff development by working with staff on goal setting, ensuring follow-up, developing training/education plans, conducting annual reviews, and succession planning. Training plans must ensure effective orientation and adequate qualification to execute work.
Enhances the quality of the workplace experience for staff by leading change initiatives in areas of staff recognition, compensation, and performance development, involving invested parties to ensure change is successful.
Fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
Develops and implements organizational changes to meet initiatives and the evolving needs of the School of Engineering,
Works closely with the Manager, Administration and the HR Advisor in HR-related initiatives and ensure all employee changes are effectively communicated to the appropriate persons.
Budget and Procurement:
Prepares short and long-term operating plans, major equipment procurement, minor budget forecasts, and maintenance schedules.
Provides technical guidance, advice and recommendations to faculty, student clubs, and technicians on the purchase of equipment and services needed for laboratory operations. Oversee equipment procurement and inventory.
Manages relationships with external suppliers to establish new sources of supply.
Coordinates major equipment purchases for researchers, working with various vendors and the SoE Purchasing Assistant, to ensure competitive quotes and cost savings/negotiated savings for the school.
Approves monthly operating expenditures and ensure all expenditures and revenues comply with UBC's Finance policies.
Health, Safety, and Risk Management
Leads the School’s health and safety program, ensuring compliance with UBC, WorkSafe BC, and federal/provincial regulations.
Liaises with UBC Risk Management and Campus Security to address safety concerns and emergency preparedness.
Oversees the development and implementation of shop safety policies and manuals in compliance with UBC's Health, Safety and Environment, WHIMIS, WorkSafe BC policies and federal, provincial and municipal regulations.
Advises the Safety Committee and/or the Director of the School Engineering regarding non-compliance with lab safety requirements.
Ensures that employees and students receive adequate and appropriate safety training through the School of Engineering and/or research supervisors as required.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Strategic Planning
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners, including SoE management, staff, students, UBCV Campus staff, the UBCO Campus community, the VPRI Office, suppliers, and service providers.
Provide strategic input to the School’s leadership team on infrastructure planning, policy development, health and safety, and operational priorities.
Consequences of Error/Judgement
This position is responsible for a high degree of self-direction and is required to exercise excellent judgment and performance in all areas, including effective management of the School of Engineering research and teaching labs.
Work requires a high level of diplomacy, confidentiality, and an understanding of the academic environment, as well as the ability to mentor and guide staff appropriately.
All decisions and recommendations are aligned with the SoE strategic initiatives, financial resources, SoE values, and safety compliance guidelines. Failure to minimize risks will result in consequences encompassing safety, reputation, and the financial position of the School of Engineering and the university.
Supervision Received
The position reports to the Director and is self-directed with broad goals and objectives developed in conjunction with the Director. Work is reviewed in terms of the achievement of strategic goals and the smooth functioning of the School of Engineering undergraduate teaching and research labs.
Supervision Given
Supervises Laboratory Technicians, Technical Leads, and the Environment, Health, and Safety Associate.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
Minimum of four years of 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
Knowledge of business processes, preferably in an educational or public sector environment, would be an asset.
Demonstrated experience with equipment procurement, financial management, including budgeting and forecasting experience, is required. Understanding of space allotments, design and needs.
Supervision experience, preferably in a unionized environment.
Demonstrated effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, leadership, problem-solving, time management, analytical and organizational skills and the ability to exercise tact, use sound judgement, and discretion and diplomacy in a professional setting.
Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
WHMIS, Industrial First Aid Certification is preferred.