Operations & Projects Manager - UBC, Vancouver

What you'll do

The Operations and Special Projects Manager is responsible for leadership and oversight of a broad range of functions, resources, and systems for the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre. Central to this role is meaningful, ongoing engagement with Survivors and Indigenous and community organizations.

• Provides oversight of the Centre's special projects, ensuring that projects are initiated, resourced and executed in alignment with the Centre's strategic priorities.
• Identifies and proposes potential projects, drawing on knowledge of the Centre's strategic direction and community relationships.
• Leads projects from inception to completion, including the development of comprehensive project plans, timelines, budgets and risk mitigation strategies.
• Facilitates communication and collaboration between project teams, partners, stakeholders, exercising a high degree of cultural sensitivity, tact and discretion.
• Leads the planning and coordination of Centre-wide events, working with event leads and support staff to assess event logistics and execution.
• Advises Director and Academic Director on strategic planning and Centre-wide policy development.
• Provides strategic leadership for the Centre's operational infrastructure including capital projects and renovations.
• Responsible for office facilities, records management, and service contracts relating to building maintenance, equipment, and furniture.
• Develops, implements and maintains comprehensive operational policies and procedures having broad impact across the Centre.
• Serves as the Secretariat for Indigenous Advisory Committee and other advisory and consultative bodies.
• Manages HR and staffing operations for the unit, including developing consistent and culturally appropriate HR procedures and practices.

Skills and experience

Candidates must meet the minimum educational and professional prerequisites, while possessing strong interpersonal and cultural competencies.

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline with a 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.
• Master's degree in a relevant discipline preferred, such as MLIS or Indigenous Studies.
• Proven record of successfully managing complex projects, including experience with project planning, budgeting, and risk management.
• Strong leadership skills, including experience managing cross-functional projects and teams.
• Familiarity with both traditional and agile forms of project management, alongside proficiency in project management software and the Microsoft suite.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining respectful relationships with Survivors, Indigenous communities, rights holders, or Indigenous-led organizations.
• Demonstrated Indigenous cultural competency including knowledge of the Indian Residential School system.
• High level of emotional intelligence and awareness with the ability to work and lead in a relational manner.

Who you'll work with

This position reports to the Director, IRSHDC, under broad strategic direction of the Academic Director, and interacts widely across the university and external networks.

• Works closely with the IRSHDC's management team, staff, and project teams across all functional areas of the Centre.
• Regularly collaborates with UBC departments and stakeholders including the First Nations House of Learning, Building Operations, academic leadership, and Indigenous elders.
• Engages with external contractors, suppliers, funding bodies, research centres, and governmental organizations such as the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
• Supervises and manages staff including administrative and project coordinators, assistants, and student staff.