Manager, Infrastructure

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

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 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

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

This 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 position plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity safety and efficiency of the Schools technical infrastructure including equipment space and position leads asset management initiatives contributes to financial planning (both capital and operating) and develops policy for the School of Engineerings labs in partnership with faculty management and leadership staff. They foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration based on the School of Engineerings 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 UBCs Faculty of Applied Scienceone of the largest and most interdisciplinary faculties at the universityserving over 1800 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 UBCs Finance policies.

Health Safety and Risk Management

Leads the Schools 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 UBCs 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 Schools 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 ones own

Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones 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.