Manager, Strategic Initiatives

University of British Columbia — UBC Okanagan Campus - Kelowna, BC, Canada

Posted 2026-11-05

Job Title

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Administration, Level B

Job Family Group

Staff - Non Union

Department

UBCO | Staff | Faculty of Management

Compensation Range

$7,158.42 - $10,292.25 CAD Monthly

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.

Job End Date

Ongoing

Posting End Date

November 18, 2026

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

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 Description Summary

The Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Projects is responsible for planning, managing and evaluating projects that advance the Faculty of Management’s approved strategic priorities. Working with the Dean, Associate Deans, Director, and designated project sponsors, the Manager translates objectives into defined projects, coordinates contributions across units, and is accountable for delivery within agreed timelines, resources and quality expectations.

The position provides project management expertise from initiation through implementation and evaluation. The Manager develops project plans and business cases, manages project resources and risks, prepares recommendations, and supports the transition of completed initiatives to the responsible units.

Organizational Status

This position reports directly to the Director and works closely with the Dean, Associate Deans and other members of the Faculty’s leadership team. Project priorities, objectives and decision-making responsibilities are established with the Dean, Director, or designated project sponsor.

The Manager collaborates with faculty members, staff, students, academic and administrative units, and relevant campus and University service partners. The position also works with external organizations and partner institutions in connection with assigned projects, coordinating their contributions with the appropriate University units.

Work Performed

Strategic Project Planning

Works with the project sponsors to define project objectives, intended outcomes, scope and priorities, and recommends sequencing based on available capacity and dependencies.
Assesses proposed initiatives through research, consultation and analysis of requirements, feasibility, resource needs and risks; prepares options and recommendations for decision.
Develops business cases, project charters and implementation plans that establish deliverables, milestones, responsibilities, estimated costs and measures of success.
Establishes project governance, decision points, approval requirements and escalation processes with the project sponsor.
Builds integrated project schedules that identify dependencies between initiatives and account for academic planning cycles and stakeholder availability.

Project Delivery and Coordination

Manages multiple approved projects from initiation through implementation and closure, maintaining accountability for agreed scope, timelines, budgets and quality.
Leads project teams, defines work assignments with relevant unit managers, establishes delivery expectations and follows up on commitments.
Monitors progress, dependencies and resource availability across assigned projects; adjusts work plans within approved parameters and resolves barriers to delivery.
Assesses delivery issues and competing requirements, develops practical solutions, and brings decisions that exceed the project mandate to the Dean or project sponsor.
Manages assigned projects involving partnerships, program development or other strategic initiatives, coordinating requirements and contributions with responsible University units.
Reviews project deliverables against agreed requirements and coordinates revisions and sponsor acceptance.

Project Resources and Risk Management

Develops project resource requirements and budget estimates in consultation with Finance and the units contributing to delivery.
Monitors approved project budgets using expenditure and commitment information provided by the responsible units; forecasts variances and recommends corrective action.
Maintains project risk and issue records, assesses potential impacts, identifies responsible owners and mitigation measures, and monitors their implementation.
Evaluates proposed changes to project scope, cost, timing and expected outcomes; documents decisions and updates project plans following required approvals.
Coordinates with procurement teams, consultants and service providers where project resources are required, clarifying requirements and monitoring agreed deliverables through established University processes.

Stakeholder Engagement and Implementation

Builds effective working relationships with internal and external project participants to support coordinated delivery and timely decisions.
Plans and facilitates consultations, working groups and project meetings to gather requirements, address concerns and reconcile competing needs.
Prepares project communications, presentations and decision briefs tailored to their audiences, coordinating delivery with the appropriate units.
Assesses the effects of project changes and coordinates readiness, training and implementation activities with the units responsible for the resulting program or service.
Incorporates accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion considerations into project planning and engagement, and seeks relevant expertise and Indigenous perspectives where appropriate to the initiative.

Reporting Evaluation and Project Closure

Provides regular reports to the Director on milestones, budgets, risks, dependencies and decisions required, with recommendations where intervention is needed.
Evaluates project delivery and outcomes against agreed measures of success, gathers stakeholder feedback and recommends improvements or follow-up actions.
Coordinates project closure, including acceptance of deliverables, documentation of outcomes and lessons learned, and handover to responsible units with clear ownership and follow-up requirements.
Develops and refines practical project management templates, reporting methods and delivery practices for use across the assigned portfolio.
Undertakes other related project and strategic initiative responsibilities as assigned.

Consequence of Error and Judgement

The Manager exercises judgement in planning, prioritizing and delivering projects within approved scope and authority. Inaccurate analysis, poor planning, inadequate risk management or delayed escalation may result in missed milestones, budget overruns, unsuccessful implementation or disruption to participating units. Project advice and communications can affect stakeholder confidence, partnerships and the Faculty’s reputation.

The position requires tact and diplomacy when working with competing priorities and diverse perspectives. The Manager maintains confidentiality and handles institutional, personal and project information in accordance with University requirements.

Supervision Received

Works under the overall direction of the Director and with guidance from designated project sponsors. Exercises independent judgement in selecting project management approaches, coordinating work and resolving delivery issues within approved plans. Keeps the Director and project sponsors informed through regular reporting and agreed review points. Seeks direction on significant changes to project scope, budgets, timelines or priorities, and escalates matters requiring decisions beyond the assigned authority.

Supervision Given

Provides functional direction to staff and other contributors assigned to approved projects. Establishes project work priorities and responsibilities in consultation with relevant supervisors, monitors agreed deliverables, and provides guidance and feedback to support effective project delivery.

Qualifications

Minimum

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three 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.

Preferred

Demonstrated experience managing projects from initiation through implementation and evaluation, with accountability for scope, timelines, resources and results.
Project management certification, or equivalent training and applied experience.
Experience developing business cases, project plans, resource estimates, budgets and reports that support informed decisions.
Experience assessing project risks, managing dependencies and changes, and resolving issues across multiple concurrent projects.
Ability to lead multidisciplinary project teams, establish clear expectations and secure cooperation across reporting relationships.
Strong consultation, facilitation and relationship-building skills, including the ability to reconcile competing needs with tact and diplomacy.
Experience supporting organizational change, implementation readiness, stakeholder communications and the transition of projects to responsible units.
Strong research, analytical, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to varied audiences.
Knowledge of university or public sector governance, academic environments and decision-making processes; experience working with academic and administrative units is an asset.
Understanding of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and their cultures, histories and contemporary contexts, and the ability to apply this understanding respectfully in relevant project planning and engagement.
Ability to apply inclusive and accessible approaches to project design, consultation and implementation.
Proficiency with project planning, scheduling, collaboration and reporting tools, and the ability to maintain clear, accurate project records.
Sound independent judgement, strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities with attention to detail.

Apply on University of British Columbia's careers site