Managing Director

Job Summary

The Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute (QMI) is a venture into research of systems and phenomena explicitly involving quantum mechanics. It is internationally recognized for its research and discoveries in quantum structures, quantum materials, quantum computing algorithms, and applications towards quantum devices. A $200+ million investment including $66.5-million funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) has broadened the scope of QMI's research and operations – and supported development of QMI’s world class capabilities.

The Managing Director (MD) sets strategic directions and oversees the implementation of organizational priorities in collaboration with the QMI Scientific Director, and QMI Executive Committee to strengthen QMI’s position as a world leader in research and commercialization of quantum material science and technology. The MD is responsible for strategic leadership of the operation of multiuser facilities and administrative functions of the Institute, establishing QMI as a recognized model for a high performing research institute. The MD ensures QMI is positioned to achieve its goals, that appropriate policies and procedures are developed and implemented, that plans are successfully executed, that key stakeholder relationships are built and maintained, and that a culture of integrity, collegiality, and agility is fostered. The MD is responsible for development and oversight of the full scope of administrative functions for QMI, including human resources, student training and professional development, communications, and directs the administrative infrastructure for finance, travel, administrative purchasing, training and development, and research activities.

The MD contributes to the development and execution of QMI’s fundraising activities in partnership with Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE). The MD must have and maintain extensive knowledge of all external and internal activities and issues that may impact the Institute, and create or adapt operational strategies and plans accordingly.

Organizational Status

Reporting to the QMI Scientific Director, the incumbent is a member of the QMI Executive Committee and regularly interacts and communicates with the UBC Research and Innovation Council (RIC), the QMI International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB), the Vice President Research and Innovation (VPRI) office, and UBC Research Support Services. The incumbent oversees QMI’s operations team, and provides strategic direction and management.

The incumbent engages in significant stakeholder interaction externally, with donors, granting agencies, and government officials, and internally, at all levels of the organization, including the QMI leadership team, QMI faculty members, academic departments, administrative and professional staff, current and prospective students and post-docs.

Work Performed

- Responsible for development and implementation of the overarching operational vision for the Institute; anticipates changing circumstances (internal and external) that will impact QMI's ability to achieve objectives, adapts priorities and modifies strategies as necessary.

- As a member of the Executive leadership team, accountable for the development, revision, and implementation of the strategic plan for the Institute; understands implications, and advises the Scientific Director and Executive Committee on the implications of the overall Institute strategic plan on the operational, financial and administrative needs of the organization, including the impacts of decisions on reputation, time, and costs of research.

- With the other members of the Executive Committee, sets objectives, establishes priorities, and directs resources, and develops strategies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Institute in achieving its vision and strategy.

- Collaborates with the governing and advisory bodies of UBC and QMI to define criteria for continuance of funding, and leads the development and implementation of plans to meet these criteria.

- Contributes to the development and execution of QMI’s fundraising initiatives in partnership with Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE), including participation in planning, tracking, and execution of fundraising goals.

- Builds and maintains strong relationships with donors and prospects, ensuring coordinated engagement and solicitation strategies in collaboration with DAE.

- Supports DAE-led solicitation and proposal development efforts by providing content expertise and participating in donor engagement activities.

- Responsible for the continuous oversight and implementation of the risk management strategy for the Institute, including ongoing identification of risks to the organization and evolving strategies to optimize probabilities for success; ensures that plans, policies and procedures are in place to mitigate identified risks, implements risk mitigation procedures, reviews risk strategy regularly, monitors risk, and reports as required.

- Collaborates with the Scientific Director in strategizing and conducting negotiations with external stakeholders such as granting agencies, commercial partners, government and academic institutions, to ensure interactions are in line with, and further, the strategic objectives of the Institute. Develops appropriate reporting structures.

- Provides direction to professional staff of the institute. Communicates closely with, and ensures appropriate resources are directed to, managers of each of QMI's functional areas for building and retaining a strong operational team. Works with staff to set and clarify priorities, and reallocates workflows to support shifting priorities.

- Oversees the activities of the Manager, Research Operations & Reporting, to ensure the effective recruitment and management of the people working in all functional areas of QMI, and that the workforce is ready, willing, and able to support the Institute's long- and short-term objectives within an agreed upon budget.

- Oversees the activities of the Manager, Research Operations & Reporting to ensure that student learning initiatives and programs are aligned to QMI's strategic goals with regard to student recruitment and engagement, training and career development. Ensures student training and development initiatives are strategically aligned with the Institute’s equity, diversity, and inclusion goals.

- Ensures that programs are designed and implemented to train the next generation of entrepreneurial researchers and innovators with essential skills in research, innovation, commercialization, and leadership, identify the educational imperatives of GREx priority scientific objectives as they relate to student learning and training.

- Facilitates the development of undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate educational initiatives. Ensures development of programs and initiatives to maintain QMI alumni engagement.

- Develops short- and long-range financial plans to meet the strategic goals of the Institute and attract continued funding by providing necessary background information, reports, and support to submission of proposals. Ensures that funds are properly allocated and that the decision process for allocation of funds is transparent and equitable. Makes recommendations to address concerns and special cases to Executive leadership.

- Coaches and mentors both direct reports and Institute management staff, taking time to connect personally with them, understand their strengths, development needs, and career aspirations, and supports them in their growth and development where possible.

- Conducts regular performance reviews with direct reports and regularly provides constructive feedback.

- Works cooperatively with all staff, faculty and students to coordinate and create opportunities.

- Ensures that appropriate programs, courses and training opportunities are available to QMI faculty, as well as technical, scientific, operations, and administrative staff.

- Ensures the right resources are available to support research activities, that assignments leverage the strengths and, where possible, the research interests, of the team, and that they are distributed in an efficient and timely manner.

- Champions equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) by working with faculty, researchers, students and staff to establish strategy and to design and implement programs, initiatives, policies and procedures related to recruiting, training and culture that will increase diversity in the Institute and embed EDI principles and values in the Institute.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
As a critical player in QMI's Executive Committee, the MD operates with a high degree of initiative, independence and responsibility. Errors in judgement and decision making may jeopardize the reputation of the University and the Institute with national and international partners, and/or compromise the Institute’s ability to attract and retain outstanding faculty and staff. Poor decisions by the MD directly compromise the organization’s cultural capital and financial, human, and technological resources. Success of QMI and continued funding will depend on the quality of work performed by the MD and the use of judgement in operational execution, assigning resources accordingly, and mitigating risk.

Supervision Received
Works within very broad parameters, work reviewed by the QMI Scientific Director, the VPRI, and the UBC Research and Innovation Council in fulfilment of mandate. The incumbent is expected to resolve issues at a senior level with no supervision.

Supervision Given
Supervises the work of direct and indirect reports for all functions of QMI operational and administrative team including HR, Communications, Administrative Support, IT, finance, and student programming.

Minimum Qualifications

Postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline or an equivalent professional designation. Minimum of seven years of related experience with extensive experience in method development, research, facility management, ethical and other legal and regulatory requirements. Internationally recognized level of specialist expertise.

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 Qualifications

Postgraduate University degree in business, science or relevant field preferred.

Minimum 7 years' experience as a senior manager in a research-oriented environment with leadership of a large team.

Expertise in developing strategy, leading implementation and spearheading an annual planning / priority setting process.

Accountability for performance of at least one department including developing annual objectives and overseeing budgets, policies and procedures, hiring, performance evaluation, and coaching. Expertise in managing and evaluating large scale initiatives in a research environment.

Leadership in successful negotiations with external stakeholders such as granting agencies, commercial partners, government and academic institutions.

Ability to apply in-depth knowledge and experience, both technical and managerial, in identifying and resolving complex, multi-faceted problems.

Ability to look beyond existing methodologies and own discipline to anticipate, define, and resolve unique, complex problems.