Manager, Operations & Strategic Initiatives - Jobs in Vancouver, BC

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Staff - Non UnionJob CategoryM&P - AAPSJob ProfileAAPS Salaried - Administration, Level BJob TitleManager, Operations & Strategic InitiativesDepartmentMBA Program Managers | Robert H. Lee Graduate School | UBC Sauder School of BusinessCompensation RangePosting End DateJanuary 17, 2022Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.Job End DateSep 15, 2023This is 18-month term leave coverage position.Job Description SummaryUBC 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.UBC Sauder is situated on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh people.When you join UBC Sauder School of Business you become part of a team of academics and professionals committed to making a positive impact through business education.UBC Sauders Robert H. Lee (RHL) Graduate School delivers all aspects of a portfolio of six professional graduate degrees in business, independent of Graduate + Postdoctoral Studies. Our MBA programs and specialized Master s programs operate within a highly competitive international environment. The RHL works closely with multiple and distinct stakeholders - faculty, staff, students, business community and alumni - to remain competitive through the delivery of an exceptional student experience. We thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a strong service culture and a commitment to continuously innovate and improve all aspects of our work. We are proud of our transformational programs and our students - the next generation of changemakers.The Manager, Operations & Strategic Initiatives provides operational leadership and direction in establishing systems and practices to improve the value, quality and effectiveness and the delivery of policies, programs and initiatives pertaining to administration, scheduling and registration, curriculum, data management, human resources, and finance. The Manager, Operations & Strategic Initiatives develops, oversees and implements special initiatives related to RHLs strategic plan and evolving needs to enhance our program offerings, curriculum, student experience and units productivity.Organizational StatusThe Manager, Operations & Strategic Initiatives reports to both the Director, Masters Program and Director, MBA programs and receives direction from all other RHL Directors. The incumbent works in conjunction with the Deans Office, RHL leadership, directors, managers, and administrative employees. The position is responsible for directly managing a team of M&P and CUPE employees.Work PerformedStrategic Initiatives & Partnerships:

• Provides operational leadership, develops and implements initiatives related to RHL s strategic plan and evolving needs to enhance our program offerings, curriculum, student experience and productivity.
• Maintains ongoing awareness of university policies and practices and provides interpretation, advice and guidance on processes to directors and employees.
• Oversees the implementation of faculty partnership arrangements and ensures effective ongoing communication for the successful delivery of the partnership arrangement; negotiates changes with Senior Leadership across campus to the MOU agreements as per the evolving needs of the partnerships.
• Maintains positive relationships with employees, faculty, students, and numerous central UBC departments and faculties at the University. Represents the RHL Graduate School on various committees.

Project Management:

• Manages and executes a range of RHL projects from the conceptual stages through planning, designing, and follow-up. Projects may be of academic nature (e.g., creating new degree proposals, course reviews) or of administrative/operational nature (e.g., UniForum, office space upgrade, etc.).
• Prepares project proposals to define objectives and timelines; develops project plans, budgets, tools and templates for management and for reporting on project activities.
• Develops key performance metrics and evaluation data to monitor the project progress.
• Supports and/or contributes to working groups and other bodies established to manage various projects.

Administration:

• Oversees management of all non-program operations; exercises extensive judgment and decision making with respect to daily operational matters.
• Creates and implements changes to RHL-wide policies, provides feedback on behalf of RHL for changes to UBC policy, and analyzes impact and develops strategies to build cooperation and identifies training needs.
• Manages reception and executive assistant services to Assistant Dean to ensure service standards and processes meet the needs of a variety of stakeholders and programs.
• Leads the review of major office equipment and furniture needs, space needs (office & learning space) and recommends changes, renovations, and training and ensures correct allocation of resources (office space, supplies, technology) in place for all RHL employees.
• Determines office closures to meet operational and team development needs and determines office closure/service reduction in the event of adverse weather conditions and other emergency circumstances.

Course Scheduling & Registration:

• Oversees the annual scheduling strategy and process, working with multiple stakeholders within the faculty including Division Chairs, and other senior faculty, to negotiate instructor allocation for multiple programs across 300 sections.
• Negotiates with central UBC units to ensure RHL program needs are met by UBC-wide systems, processes, and policies.
• Manages communications with members of faculty on sensitive issues related to their course delivery, such as class sizes, room restrictions, scheduling conflicts and course cancellation. Recommends and facilitates effective solutions.
• Manages the course registration process and priorities for all professional graduate course offerings.

Curriculum Management:

• Develops deep and updated knowledge of UBC curriculum approval processes, policies and guidelines.
• Manages all RHL curriculum changes and new proposals including the submission, review, revision, approval, and advancement of all proposals in communication with faculty and employees of the RHL Graduate School and Deans Office.
• Serves as a resource for faculty and employees on curriculum procedures, timelines, proposal requirements and expectations and investigates and reports back as to how the change may affect program and operations.
• Chairs RHL Curriculum Meetings and maintains regular communications with RHL Leadership, Sauder Academic Programs, Teaching & Learning (APTL) committee and the Deans Office.
• Manages and maintains the systems to archive all curriculum changes and additions from initiation to final approval and implementation. Leads the annual review and updating of RHL program information in the UBC Academic Calendar.

Data Management, External Rankings & Accreditations:

• Develops and implements policies and processes for the management of student and program data that ensure its accuracy and availability to required audiences, in line with UBC data management policies.
• Determines the appropriate circulation and usage of RHL data, and works with other units to establish the validity of data requests and approves the presentation of data.
• Prepares and oversees RHL submissions to internal/external accreditation and/or curriculum reviews and multiple external program rankings, which are critical to the brand of the school.
• Acts as the RHLs point of contact with all external rankings providers, discussing complex issues with tact and forethought.
• Researches new and alternative rankings in partnership with the Recruitment & Admissions team and makes recommendations on the schools entry to these rankings.
• Reviews the Board of Governors tuition increases report for accuracy, tracks changes and ensures all relevant documentation has been updated.

Human Resources:

• Hires, trains, disciplines, provides ongoing feedback, and manages the day-to-day activities of M&P, clerical and summer/temporary employees of the Student Experience Team for the effective delivery of RHL programs.
• Provides leadership and guidance by developing and implementing sound performance management practices, ensuring training needs are identified and opportunities are offered.
• Serves as the departmental resource for interpreting and implementing various collective agreements and works with the management team to ensure all employees are conforming to standards as set out by UBC policies, collective agreements, WorkSafe BC and other work regulations.
• Oversees handling and resolution of complaints. Provides expertise and advises on conflict resolution and other human resources policies in relation to complex situations found within the department.
• Develops the onboarding guide for both CUPE and M&P employees to effectively onboard new staff members to meet the expectations and culture of the RHL Graduate School.
• Participates in strategic planning for the business unit and is responsible for the tactical and strategic human resource plan as it relates to supporting new programs. Manages unit-wide coordination for the following:

• Annual vacation approvals, ensuring adequate coverage across programs/activities.
• Usage of overtime in the unit. Works with managers to minimize overtime in the unit.
• Review of the HR system to track and review attendance report data.

Financial:

• Leads budget creation process and timelines for the unit.
• Manages all RHL budgets by assessing financial performance of each program in conjunction with financial projections to year-end, assesses and manages the impact of surpluses/deficits and works with senior management team to ensure financial projections are being met.
• Collaborates on the development of financial models and forecasting to support decision-making.
• Maintains ongoing awareness and compliance of UBC and Sauder policy and procedural changes and provides information and guidance to employees on University policies and procedures.
• Oversees financial transactions, including monitoring and analyzing transactions and provides regular summary reports of revenues and expenditures to Directors and Managers.

Additional Duties:

• Provides coverage to other Managers in the Student Experience Team and Recruitment & Admissions Team in the RHL Graduate School. This requires in-depth knowledge of the professional graduate programs as well as the University s admission procedures, policies and services.
• Represents the UBC Sauder School of Business at public functions and committees within or external to UBC.
• Working with UBC IT, determines, develops, and monitors the appropriate information systems for unit operations, including new technology implementation, custom applications, training needs, etc.

Consequence of Error/JudgementMakes recommendations and decisions regarding the design, management and effective delivery of processes and services to ensure RHL student experience objectives, curriculum needs and HR and financial goals are met. This position has a direct impact on the quality of the programs and services to students and faculty. Inability to work cooperatively with students, staff and faculty will jeopardize the effective provision of programs and services to students. Poor management of employees or student workers may lead to inefficiency, discontent or grievances. Theincumbent manages relationships within a multi-cultural and ethnically diverse staff, students and faculty body. This position has the complex task of coordinating and balancing the distinct objectives of various stakeholders, often with conflicting interests and with limited resources. Decisions must be in line with school goals and integrate with the vision and direction of the university.Decisions impact the quality of academic programs and influence the effectiveness of student management. Poor decisions will have a long-term negative effect on the marketability of the programs and adversely impact the reputation of the School as well as the integrity of all RHL programs. Errors in judgement and failure to meet students expectations may negatively impact the overall image of the school as an institute for superior management education and/or loss of exceptional students to competitor schools. Failure to provide sound decisions could result in a loss of confidence of the school and undermine the Dean s efforts to raise the school s global ranking and reputation to ensure sustained access to resources and success of the school in the long run.Decision-making is based on a thorough knowledge of the policies and procedures of the University, the UBC Sauder School of Business and the Robert H. Lee Graduate School. The incumbent exercises considerable judgement and must demonstrate tact and discretion.Supervision ReceivedWorks independently under broad directions and with minimal supervision. Exercises independent judgment and initiative in prioritizing and completing tasks. Has wide latitude, within authorized prescribed limits, in assessing and resolving problems. Job functions are generally governed by broad instructions, objectives and policies, usually involving frequently changing conditions and competing priorities. Performs most duties independently, occasionally consulting the unit Directors, Program Manager and the Senior Leadership team. Consults with supervisor on complex policy matters or unusual situations.Supervision GivenMember of the Student Experience management team. Hires, trains, disciplines, provides ongoing feedback, and manages the day-to-day activities of M&P, clerical and summer/temporary employees of the Student Experience Team for the effective delivery of RHL programs.Minimum QualificationsUndergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.Preferred Qualifications

• Business administration degree is preferred.
• Significant experience in staff management, course scheduling, curriculum management, project management, financial management and office operations preferred.
• Experience in supervising unionized employees is preferred.
• Technical proficiency using management computer software applications.
• Excellent oral and written communications, interpersonal skills and organizational skills.
• Excellent judgment and the ability to make decisions independently.
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion and diplomacy when dealing with faculty, students, and staff.
• Cross cultural experience an asset.
• Ability to work flexibly on weekends or weeknights is required.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.Pursuant to the BC Human Rights Code Article 42, preference will be given to Indigenous applicants.All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.Quick Apply

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