Director, UBC Robson Square

Job Summary

The Director provides strategic leadership and executive-level decision-making for UBC Robson Square (UBC RS), supporting UBC’s strategic plan, goals and priorities. Responsibilities include: identifying and implementing business strategies and growth opportunities; ensuring financial viability of the facility as a cost-recovery unit; oversight of facility operations, encouraging varied educational programming and engagement activities onsite; and enhancing UBC’s profile and reputation in the community.

Strategic oversight includes: the unit’s organisational well-being; appropriate staffing and service infrastructure to support excellence in client services; continuing physical enhancements to ensure a quality learning facility; and ongoing development of relationships to enhance connections and grow a diverse client base.

In collaboration with Point Grey Campus colleagues, contributes to the broader University and community, participating with community engagement initiatives, potential redevelopment and expansion prospects downtown, and other appropriate opportunities as and when they arise.

Organizational Status

The Director reports to the Vice President, External Relations. The position provides supervision to both management and unionized staff.

Work Performed

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Leads the creation of UBC RS’ long-term vision and strategic plan, in support of the University’s overall mission and direction. Includes identifying unit goals, objectives and risks while working within the unit’s self-funding mandate.

• Manages a complex business operation and team to provide quality learning environments, ensure smooth operations of the facility and effective client support.

• Responsible for Robson Square’s financial goals. In collaboration with the Finance team, performs goal setting, budget forecasting, and financial tracking for the unit, ensuring long-term sustainability within an entrepreneurial environment. Explore ways to expand financial base through new sources of funds, including partnerships and key community sponsorship opportunities which correspond with UBC's brand and community outreach commitments and further enhances reputation.

• Responsible for maintaining and developing positive partner-tenant relationships with UBC’s onsite academic and research units, ensuring their high satisfaction ratings with Robson Square’s quality facilities, support services and overall cultural engagement.

• Builds and strengthens relationships with broader UBC colleagues and community partners, associations and clients to support innovative and memorable programs and events. Promotes partnerships within and between UBC departments and external clients to leverage and expand engagement opportunities.

• Responsible for communications and public profile that brands, positions and celebrates the downtown success story. Includes development of submissions to UBC Executive, VP briefings, Board of Governors’ presentations, and annual community reports.

• Leads major long-term facilities planning, development and expansion projects, managing progress and milestones. Works to create welcoming learning environments that effectively support programs, innovation and engagement activities.

• Grows the business by promoting and communicating a clear and consistent vision of UBC RS to existing and potential clients]. Employs strategic analysis, proactive contact, and focused presentations, using a range of marketing and communication vehicles.

• Responsible for negotiations, written agreements and overall relationships with landlord, partners, clients and other stakeholders / suppliers.

• Approves principles and policies that guide sound decision-making at all levels.

• Actively works with External Relations Portfolio colleagues to advance UBC’s community engagement goals. Liaises with Public Affairs and Communications and Marketing to keep informed on University communications initiatives and to determine opportunities for synergy and collaboration on messaging.

• Works with the Academic Portfolio to advance academic objectives and programs in the downtown core.

Operational Leadership and Administration

• Leads the UBC RS team in delivering excellence throughout all elements of partners’ and clients’ experience: including reception; accounting; IT systems; general administration; event inquiries and logistics; and onsite support. Increases operational efficiencies and fine-tunes productivity while showcasing UBC expertise.

• Supports the management of all human resources within the unit and establishes the operational framework in which staff will carry out respective roles including hiring, supervising, coaching and developing staff. Conducts annual performance evaluations for appropriate management and union staff.

• In collaboration with Operations Manager, performs ongoing quality assessments of infrastructure and systems to maintain high quality standards and ensure all available resources are utilized for maximum effectiveness.

• Develops strategic performance metrics for unit’s objectives, evaluates results and determines and initiates necessary changes. Successfully implements deliverables with operational efficiency.

• Promotes a safe and respectful work environment for all staff. Includes oversight for site security and related communications.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error

Service quality, program activity and community engagement are keystones of the facility and very visible to the public in this downtown location. Decisions can have significant impact on public perceptions of UBC and UBC Robson Square. Poor decisions or management ineptitude could result in damaged client relationships, a negative image or embarrassment for the University, with potential adverse financial and reputational implications. Inability to successfully develop and implement strategic business development initiatives could also negatively impact UBC RS financial outcome and long-term viability of the campus.

A collaborative decision-making process and ethical communications with effective and fair outcomes will reflect positively on UBC's reputation.

Supervision Received

The Director reports to the Vice President External Relations Works as part of a team and needs to be able to identify circumstances that require consultations with appropriate associates: Financial Officer, Business Operations Manager, lease partners, faculties, RS precinct personnel and other key partners. Works under University policies and guidelines to meet specific goals, exercises judgment and professionalism, and is subject to periodic review.

Supervision Given

Provides supervision to both management and unionized staff (directly and indirectly).

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in relevant discipline. Minimum of ten 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 Qualifications

Leadership Experience & Education:

• Graduate degree in a relevant discipline. Degree or certificate in business, event or project management an asset.

• Minimum of six years’ proven business experience in related management, hospitality or event planning roles. Experience working in an academic setting is beneficial.

• Demonstrated ability to be both a dynamic leader and a team player with proven capacity to exercise initiative and motivate employees. Effectively delegates, empowering staff to make principled decisions.

• Manages complexity, risks and expectations within a principled framework, demonstrating values of fairness, respect, integrity, and compassion in decision-making and leadership.

Communications:

• Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills with a good understanding of differing communication styles. Able to effectively communicate with a broad range of stakeholders, including academic collaborators, governments, businesses, non-profit groups, students and a variety of client groups.

• Creative and forward thinking with proven skills in building and communicating a strong unit vision that supports and extends UBC’s learning, facility, and community engagement goals. Able to raise profile and reputation as an energetic, innovative and productive facility.

• Strong and effective interpersonal, conflict resolution and negotiation skills with the proficiency to effectively analyze and develop solutions while exhibiting diplomacy and tact.

Finance:

• Established skills in budget management and development, activity forecasting and reporting with knowledge of budget processes. Includes business analysis and project management in a dynamic entrepreneurial environment. Integrates UBC RS well within overall University systems infrastructure.

People & Management Style:

• Ability to maintain and enhance a workplace environment with compassion and grace. Includes skills to coach and develop people, creating a strong and effective culture.

• Excellent relationship management ability, building trust across a wide spectrum of clients. Positions unit to be recognized as major contributor to UBC’s downtown presence and strategic vision. Alliance builder on and off campus.

• Well-developed problem-solving and conceptual abilities, along with demonstrated organizational and time management skills. Thoughtful, analytical, idea generator. Whole system thinker.

• Results-oriented, articulate and creative with outstanding customer service skills.

• Self-motivated, able to work well with minimal supervision and demonstrated ability to take initiative.

• Works well under pressure and is able to manage multiple activities simultaneously with high-energy and positive thinking to meet critical deadlines.