MDRU Business and Research Manager

This position is located in the Mineral Deposit Research Unit (MDRU) which sits within Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS). This role is responsible for the management of the financial operations and research administration of MDRU. The incumbent exercises initiative and sound judgment in advising and providing expertise and guidance to the MDRU Director, Research Associates, and Faculty on a broad range of issues regarding all facets of financial practices and research administration, both in the Faculty of Science and the University.

Organizational Status
This position reports directly to the MDRU Director, and has a dotted line report to the EOAS Director of Resources and Operations and works closely with all MDRU Research Associates, MDRU staff, faculty associated with MDRU, and MDRU graduate students.

Work Performed
Resource and Operations Management:

Develop processes to improve the efficiency of administration, organization and operation of MDRU and apply consistent measures for alignment with EOAS and UBC policies.
Provide Operational and Administrative leadership, by formulating, interpreting and implementing strategic plans, and promoting efficiency and effectiveness, to meet initiatives and evolving needs and to streamline business processes.
Works in partnership with the MDRU Director and Head EOAS to ensure resources are available to meet the initiatives, objectives and strategic plan of the MDRU and the department.
Works closely with the MDRU Communications and Events Manager and other staff to ensure that MDRU goals are met.
Primary liaison between MDRU and Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences.
Performs other related duties as required.

Research Administration:

Holds a knowledge and understanding of University Policies in order to appropriately formulate and evaluate researcher budgets to ensure that all grant funding agency and university requirements and protocols are met.
Monitors, identifies and disseminates information regarding various award opportunities.
Develop and negotiate contractor engagements as required (e.g., to support IT or Corporate Communications), including identification of external partners and contract review and execution.
Assists the MDRU Director with preparation of grant and academic proposals, letters of intent, background documentation, program rationales, and other reports.
Collects and coordinates relevant grant information, budgets, CVs and statistics.
Develops, implements, and maintains procedures, systems and processes for research file management and application/information guidelines.
Administers multiple large scale projects including: overseeing the management of work plans and collaborating on the most appropriate internal and external communications

Financial:

Participates in the strategic planning of both annual and multi-year resource allocations for MDRU.
Financial oversight of income-generating activities. Analyze operations and income-generating activities and generate recommendations to optimize these activities. Provides advice to both the MDRU Director and Head EOAS Head on budget management for MDRU operational budgets.
Prepares the MDRU’s short and long-term financial plans in conjunction with the MDRU Director and Head of EOAS.
Develop budgets and oversee financial execution of MDRU revenue-generating courses. Generate proposals to optimize revenue generation of future MDRU courses.
Prepares operational and research financial reports for the MDRU Board of Directors for MDRU Board meetings.
Oversees the financial management of MDRU’S budget and all research, expense and revenue budgets. Monitors all operating accounts, on an individual and rollup basis; produces variance analyses of revenues and expenditures or other key financial indicators; develops and produces regular and customized financial reports as a basis for decisions on management resource allocations. Analyzes relationships between budget and actual financial data and determines reasons for variances; develops techniques to improve forecasts.
Directs and oversees the processing of financial transactions (supplier invoices, payroll and accounting journals, purchase requisitions, purchase orders, expense reports, internal service delivery); and the monthly reconciliation of Workday ledger reports

Supervision Received
Reports directly to the MDRU Director and works independently under broad directives from the MDRU Director. Takes direction from the EOAS Director of Resources and Operations and Head of EOAS.

Supervision Given
Directs the work of the MDRU Finance Clerk.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

University degree in business or financial administration or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Experience and knowledge of University policies, procedures, governance and administrative systems in budgeting, financial reporting, procurement, and internal controls preferred.
Experience with process improvement and process improvement education (e.g. LEAN) would be an asset
Minimum of three years experience in financial management, reporting, budget planning and forecasting at UBC, or at a medium-sized company, in the range of $1,000,000 to $3,000,000
Experience with grant proposal protocol/grant writing process is required
Experience with research grant budget preparation preferred
Experience with research administration, particularly NSERC funding rulesand reporting preferred
Experience with stakeholder engagement and/or fundraising desirable
Demonstrated experience with strategic planning and at least 2-3 years experience with managing and/or supervising staff
Outstanding writing skills, including grammar and spelling. Articulate, thoughtful, open and receptive communicator, verbally and in writing.
High degree of comfort with handling new situations, acquiring new skills, and prioritizing competing priorities in a fast paced environment
Ability to work independently in a team environment and work effectively and solve problems under pressure to meet deadlines.
Proven ability to build long term relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders while earning trust, maintaining appropriate confidentiality, using sound judgment, and exercising tact and diplomacy.
Customer focused approach with the ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.
Proven flexible approach, adaptability and comfort with ambiguity and change while dealing with new methods, procedures and changing conditions.

For more information about this posting and to submit your application, please visit https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ubcstaffjobs/job/UBC-Vancouver-Campus/MDRU-Business-and-Research-Manager_JR2940

(Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on July 31st)