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
**UBC has partnered with PFM Executive Search on this recruitment. Please visit here for more information and to apply.**
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
The Managing Director, Strategy, Planning and Performance (VPFO) is a senior advisor to the Vice-President, Finance and Operations (VPFO), supporting and prioritizing the VPFO’s vision and objectives to ensure they are delivered effectively and consistently across a complex, multi-unit, multi-campus environment.
The Managing Director provides strategic leadership to advance the effectiveness and cohesion of the VPFO portfolio, with responsibility of human resources, communications, and internal coordination.
The role leads the development, implementation and tracking of the VPFO strategic plan, working with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure performance expectations are clearly established, aligned with UBC’s strategic vision and institutional goals, and consistently evaluated to support continuous improvement and accountability. Serving as a key integrator, the role translates the VPFO’s strategic vision into actionable goals and measurable results, driving operational impact, service excellence, and institutional alignment across the portfolio.
Through operational support, program administration, project management, and continuous improvement initiatives, the Managing Director works closely with the other senior leaders within the VPFO to ensure that internal operations are integrated, aligned, and functioning efficiently. The role facilitates organizational change, fosters innovation, and promotes a culture of accountability, operational excellence, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
The Managing Director plays a key leadership role in coordinating the VPFO Senior Leadership Team (SLT), ensuring that strategic and operational initiatives are tracked, aligned, and executed across the portfolio. It oversees the dedicated VPFO HR and Communications teams, supports cross-portfolio transformation activities, and serves as the key strategic support for executive decision support, Board/Senate materials, and institutional engagement. The role leads the delivery of a cohesive and high-quality experience for internal and external stakeholders — including UBCIM, UBCPT, and academic partners — ensuring that all interactions, communications, and services reflect VPFO values and priorities.
Organizational Status
The Managing Director plays a critical role in ensuring functions within the portfolio operate in a coordinated, integrated, and high-performing manner in alignment with UBC’s institutional goals and strategic plans. Working closely with VPFO senior leaders and operational teams, the role fosters collaboration, drives continuous improvement, and ensures that systems, processes, and services evolve to meet institutional needs while maintaining operational excellence and community trust.
Work Performed
Strategic Planning & Performance
Executive support in the development, implementation, and refresh of the VPFO Strategic Plan.
Collaboratively develops and maintains a robust performance management framework, including KPIs and dashboards and reporting tools across all VPFO units. Tracks and reports on progress, outcomes, and risks associated with major initiatives.
Collaboratively translates the VPFO’s strategic vision into actionable goals and measurable results.
Facilitates the annual and multi-year planning cycles, aligning divisional plans, budgets, and objectives with strategic priorities.
Through SLT members, ensure unit strategic goals are aligned with overall VPFO and University strategic plans.
Executive Decision Support & Office Integration
Advises on policy, institutional initiatives, government relations, and sector developments relevant to VPFO responsibilities.
Provides strategic direction on long-term needs and appropriate resources to support VPFO's mission and long-term goals.
Leads the review, and strategic alignment of all executive decision papers, briefing materials, and presentation content originating from the VPFO portfolio, focusing on substance, clarity and alignment with portfolio and institution priorities.
Oversee issue triage, maintain decision logs, and ensure strategic action items are tracked and followed through.
Provides integrated oversight of cross-functional initiatives to ensure execution aligns with VPFO intent and strategic direction.
Collaborates with the Executive Assistant (EA) and administrative support teams, who coordinate the logistical processes, system entry, and workflow of submissions, ensuring materials are appropriately routed for review and approval.
Human Resource Leadership
Provides strategic leadership and overall accountability for people and culture across the VPFO portfolio, ensuring Human Resource strategies, priorities and practice align to support more than 1,400 staff across operational, technical, and professional roles.
Sets strategic direction for integrated workforce and talent strategies across the portfolio.
Provides executive leadership on HR programs, initiatives, and policies to ensure an effective and progressive Talent Management program.
Champions HR best practices across all service and core operations functions of VPFO, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and inclusion.
In partnership with central HR, exercises oversight and strategic guidance for labour relations, employee relations, and compliance, ensuring risks are managed appropriately while operational matters are handled by HR leaders.
Directs portfolio-wide workforce reporting and analysis, using data to inform strategic decision-making and measure progress against culture, engagement, and performance goals.
Portfolio Operations & SLT Coordination
Reviews opportunities to optimize the day-to-day operations of the VPFO portfolio, ensuring operational functions deliver efficiently and cohesively.
Leads tracking to ensure that both short- and long-range goals are being met and continue to support the VPFO vision.
Designs and develops innovative operational business models/plans, identifying opportunities for operational improvement and growth in support of VPFO's strategic goals.
Leads discussions with senior leaders and external partners in ways that support strategic planning and decision-making.
Oversees the strategic framing and content development of VPFO SLT meetings and strategic sessions, ensuring alignment with VPFO priorities and operational imperatives.
Promotes cross-functional collaboration, operational integration, and continuous improvement within the portfolio.
Communications & Engagement
Oversees the internal and external communication program for the VPFO portfolio.
Ensure appropriate messaging, content development, and engagement strategies for staff and key stakeholders.
Coordinates strategic communications related to Board, Senate, and university-wide initiatives.
Enhances the VPFO’s service delivery reputation and stakeholder trust through consistent, responsive engagement.
Serves as a liaison between the VPFO and key internal and external stakeholders — including central administration, government agencies, sector partners, and the Board — on matters directly related to the VPFO portfolio.
Change Management
Provide strategic leadership to the VPFO portfolio Change Management team, setting direction and ensuring consistent, high-quality change management practices across the VPFO portfolio.
Establish and oversee standardized frameworks, tools, and methodologies to guide effective change management across diverse initiatives.
Advise and partner with senior leaders and project teams to assess change impacts, manage risks, and drive successful adoption and sustainability of change initiatives.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of change strategies, leveraging data and feedback to inform decisions, and enhance portfolio-wide readiness for change.
Champion a culture of adaptability and engagement, ensuring change management supports the VPFO’s strategic vision and institutional priorities.
Service Delivery and Operational Integration
Ensures effective coordination and integration of services across VPFO functions, supporting a consistent, high-quality service experience.
Determines if service standards are being met and provides strategic input innovative solutions to service challenges. Provides direction on service expectations and standards.
Oversee and optimize the delivery of integrated VPFO services to ensure they are efficient, coordinated, and aligned with community needs.
Champions the experience of UBC’s internal community by embedding feedback mechanisms, mapping stakeholder journeys, and addressing service delivery pain points.
Establishes service-related KPIs and community satisfaction indicators, translating data into ongoing improvements.
Provides leadership in establishing metrics, data interpretation, and analysis to identify opportunities for refining services and developing service opportunities.
Provides leadership for prospect research and analytics
Collaborates across internal teams and strategic partners to deliver seamless, responsive services.
Leads training programs to enhance operational consistency, frontline service quality, and readiness for system and process change, in alignment with enterprise delivery models.
Transformation & Change Integration
Promotes an innovative environment for the advancement of VPFO's core services.
Develops cross-functional/integrated service plans to better support the advancement of VPFO's strategic plans.
Provides leadership and guidance for program and project governance for cross-functional and cross-portfolio strategic initiatives.
Oversees development and production of relevant business/operational metrics/data, projections, and forecasts that are required to support VPFO's strategic planning process.
Provides direction on innovative service solutions through the analysis of internal and external data related to the core service activities of VPFO
Advises on planning, communication, and implementation of VPFO-led transformation initiatives.
Works closely with Finance Transformation, technology, and systems teams to ensure alignment.
Promotes innovation and continuous improvement across the portfolio while balancing resource needs.
Monitors benefit realization, feedback loops, and change readiness activities.
Advises on operational risk management in collaboration with Safety & Risk Services, ensuring effective identification and mitigation of risks.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
The decisions and actions of the Managing Director, Strategy, Planning & Performance have a significant impact on the VPFO portfolio and UBC’s culture, reputation, and ability to execute strategic priorities. Errors in judgment, planning, or coordination could lead to misalignment across divisions, reduced employee engagement, and ineffective communication with internal and external stakeholders. Mistakes in managing confidential HR matters may result in legal liability, breach of trust, or reputational harm. Poor oversight of strategic initiatives may delay or derail key projects, compromise executive decision-making, and affect the overall performance of the office of the Vice President, Finance and Operations.
Supervision Received
Reports directly to the Vice President, Finance and Operations. Works independently against set objectives. Reports in as required.
Supervision Given
Directs teams of professional staff in human resources, communications, change management and analysts to support strategic planning, performance tracking, and operational alignment for the portfolio’s strategic and operational priorities.
Minimum Qualifications
A university degree in business, public administration, or a related field; master's degree preferred. equivalent experience may be considered.
Minimum of 12 years of senior leadership experience in strategic operations, planning, or organizational effectiveness within a large, complex institution.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge in human resources management, including understanding of organizational design, workforce planning, and change management principles.
Extensive experience supporting or advising senior executives in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
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
Proven experience managing multi-functional teams and delivering cross-organizational strategic initiatives.
Experience in and knowledge of public sector governance may be beneficial. Strong understanding of governance processes and executive-level decision-making in large organizations or public institutions.
Excellent leadership skills, proven communication, consultative and interpersonal competencies. Demonstrated ability to influence, lead change, drive results, and foster innovation in a decentralized context.
Excellent writing and communication skills with a strong ability to shape high-quality briefing materials and strategic documents; excellent organizational skills and the ability to work well under pressure.
Must be able to perform the role of executive sponsor by driving large, complex projects. Must be able to formulate broad strategic plans and set direction.
Must have the ability to exercise a high level of diplomacy and discretion in both internal and external interactions.
The position requires a unique combination of skills and management knowledge and requires an individual of great energy, creativity, and integrity.
Must be able to effectively meet deadlines and time constraints.
Must effectively demonstrate team leadership and participation skills.
The ideal candidate will be energetic, visionary, and strongly committed to exceptional customer service.
Core Competencies
Strategic and systems thinking.
Executive-level judgment and discretion.
Inclusive leadership and team development.
Results-oriented execution and operational excellence.
Organizational alignment and integration.
Clear and effective communication.
Culture of accountability and continuous improvement.