Director, Research Operations, BioProducts Institute

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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
The BioProducts Institute (BPI) a UBC Global Research Excellence Institute is a globally recognized research and innovation hub advancing the adoption of bio-based materials and chemicals to drive a sustainable bioeconomy. The Director Research Operations provides institute-wide leadership in research operations research administration and strategic engagement to translate scientific innovation into real-world impact. The role leads the development and adoption of innovative technologies and methodologies to advance BPIs scientific agenda and foster excellence across programs. This role oversees all BPI research facility operations directs research administration in collaboration with UBC and faculty leadership team and provides authoritative guidance on compliance agreements and reporting. The Director leads financial sustainability strategiesincluding endowments gifts and diversified fundingwhile advancing commercialization pathways and high-quality personnel (HQP) training.

The Directors portfolio also includes research program development and external engagement with foundations government and key stakeholders. Core responsibilities include securing research funding overseeing program and project managementincluding workforce planning and organizational effectivenessand ensuring compliance and safety in coordination with UBC units.

Operating in a co-leadership model with the Director Innovation and Strategic Partnership the position shapes and implements long-term strategies for research excellence knowledge mobilization and talent development ensuring BPIs continued global leadership.

This position requires travel to attend conferences partner meetings training and other events as required to acquire and maintain proficiency in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position. This role requires occasional/regular evening and weekend work travel and availability as an emergency contact.

Organizational Status
Reports to the Scientific Director and collaborates closely with the Deans (Applied Science Science Forestry Land & Food Systems) UBC Finance (IPO) and UBC VPRI to facilitate research and administrative delivery across BPI.

• Co-leads BPI strategy and governance sharing defined responsibilities with the Director Innovation and Strategic Partnership (see Responsibilities).

• Works with UBC Finance Development/Advancement Safety/Risk Brand & Marketing/Communications and partner units to enable institute level research operations and partnerships.

Work Performed

1. Research Operations & Institute Leadership

Provides strategic leadership for BPIs research programs and projects in collaboration with the Scientific Director and Director of Innovation & Strategic Partnerships setting priorities that align with institutional goals and strengthen BPIs position as a leader in technological innovation and economic impact across BC Canada and globally.

Co-leads institute governance including Board of Advisors agenda-setting decision implementation and accountability for outcomes.

Manages the planning logistics and research operations of BPIs facilitiesincluding renovations space & equipment allocation and safety complianceto ensure efficient resource utilization and alignment with UBC standards.

Champions the design and delivery of enhanced HQP programs that provide advanced technical training leadership development entrepreneurship and commercialization skills while fostering interdisciplinary learning across engineering chemistry forestry and data science; embeds EDI principles throughout research and training activities.

Leads workforce planning recruitment and performance development for BPI staff and provides functional direction to professional staff researchers research facilitators and technical staff.

2. Strategic Government Partnerships & External Engagement

Develops and stewards strategic partnerships with provincial and federal government departments to advance BPIs research and innovation agenda.

Leads the development of collaborative research programs and initiatives with government departments securing funding and expanding BPIs strategic reach.

Facilitates dialogue between researchers stakeholders and policymakers at provincial and federal level to inform evidence-based frameworks that advance Canadas bioeconomy through innovation and collaboration.

3. Financial Sustainability

Owns institute budget strategy including project finance multi-year fiscal planning forecasting and resource allocation in collaboration with partners across the University (UBC Finance founding faculties UBCs Research Innovation Council).

Drives the development of long-term fundraising strategies aligning research priorities with high-impact funding opportunities and prepares business cases for major initiatives and shared infrastructure. Builds a diversified funding pipeline through government co-funding philanthropic partnerships and major gift campaigns.

Leads institute-level fundraising campaigns in collaboration with UBC Development to secure philanthropic and strategic investments.

Champions and manages endowments and gifts for compliance and optimized draw strategies aligned to long-term vision.

4. Technology Advancement & Commercialization

Champions technology advancement commercialization and technology transfer initiativesincluding LaunchBPI and proof-of-concept developmentby supporting development of innovative research techniques and methodologies and connecting with deployment opportunities and funding sources from provincial and federal governments.

Leads the development and implementation of a collaborative framework that strengthens partnerships between BPI government stakeholders and Indigenous communities to accelerate equitable knowledge mobilization capacity building and technology adoption while defining clear IP pathways and commercialization milestones.

5. Research Administration Reporting & Compliance

Provides strategic oversight and expert guidance on pre- and post-award administration research agreements data governance and institutional reporting. This also includes planning and developing administrative frameworks and process improvements to enhance research operations efficiency.

Leads the preparation and integration of official research reports performance output and annual summaries that capture research metrics and EDI outcomes to inform institutional planning and decision-making.

Aligns BPIs strategic and operational plans with UBC institutional priorities and GREx Phase-2 objectives to maintain coherence continuity and long-term sustainability. Collaborates with UBC VPRI Finance (IPO Office) and University Counsel to ensure full compliance with institutional policies contractual obligations and risk management frameworks.

Oversees institutional authorization processes and when delegated provides approval on behalf of the institute.

Ensures timely and accurate compliance reporting to funding agencies aligning submissions with

UBCs standards policies and governance requirements.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position works with wide latitude in decision making and is required to exercise sound judgement in management staffing funding proposal and report preparation and the development of government relationships and networks. Errors in judgement could impact funding levels and institutional reputation. The consequences of error could lead to delayed launch interruption or cancellation of projects and/or reputational damage to BPI the Faculties of Applied Science Science Forestry and Land & Food Systems and the University.

Supervision Received
This position reports to the Scientific Director-UBC BPI. Work is performed independently under broad goals and objectives established by the Scientific Director. This position engages with BPI Deans UBC VPRI and other Faculties and units at the University and requires a high degree of executive independent decision-making ability.

Supervision Given
Manages M&P staff members and will be responsible for the recruitment and management of several support staff both M&P and union.

Minimum Qualifications
For research project leadership a post-graduate degree or an equivalent professional designation is required with a minimum of five years of related experience including experience in a field of specialization or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Otherwise an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline is required with a minimum of seven years of related experience or an 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

PhD in relevant discipline (Chemistry or Chemical Engineering)with deep understanding of advanced/biobased materials and technology translation; andMBAor equivalent senior management training is preferred.

Demonstrated experience providing leadership for complex programs or institutes engaging multi-stakeholder governance environments and building effective external relationships with government industry and academic partners.

Track record leadingmultimillion dollar research portfolios endowment/gift stewardship or diversified funding pipelines (tri-council federal/provincial philanthropic industry).

Experienceoverseeing research facilitiesand complex operations (safety compliance shared infrastructure).

Demonstrated success incommercialization enablement(proof of concept partnerships IP pathways) andknowledge mobilization.

Knowledge and experience in advanced materials research is an advantage.

Superior communication partnership building and representation skills; effective engagement with boards senior government and industry leaders.