Stone-CIDER Research Centre Manager

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

Job 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 Stone-CIDER Research Centre Manager will manage the growth of the Stone Centre and the Centre for Innovative Data in Economics Research by participating in the creation, development and execution of strategic plans to achieve defined goals. This will be attained through building and maintaining relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and fostering a culture of integrity, collegiality and agility.

The Stone Centre on Wealth and Income Inequality was launched in 2024 following a $5.4 million gift from the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation. The Stone Centre's mission is to understand the causes and consequences of wealth and income inequality, and possible remedies. Housed in the Vancouver School of Economics, the Stone Centre brings together a rich academic community from across UBC's faculties of Arts, Business, and Law, supporting graduate students, faculty, and international visitors engaged in research on the causes and consequences of income and wealth inequality in Canada and abroad.

The Centre for Innovative Data in Economics Research (CIDER) drives a leading-edge research program in the Vancouver School of Economics. CIDER is the outgrowth of a $10 million investment from the Canada Excellence Research Chair program, the very first awarded in the Social Sciences in Canada. CIDER has built a dynamic research environment for graduate students and faculty using innovative data methods.

The Stone-CIDER Research Centre Manager will ensure that University, Endowment, Tri-council and non-tri-council grant policies and procedures are implemented and adhered to while fostering an atmosphere of staff engagement, work excellence and the achievement of industry best practices by focusing on the goals and objectives of CIDER and the Stone Centre.
Organizational Status
The Stone-CIDER Research Centre Manager will report to the Stone Centre Director, the CIDER Director, and the VSE Administrator. The Stone-CIDER Research Centre Manager interacts and communicates with faculty members, students, and staff of the Vancouver School of Economics; managers within the UBC Vice President Research and Innovation Office, and the UBC Faculty of Arts; external funding agencies and organizations; Stone Foundation executives and the general public.
Work Performed

Strategic Planning:

• Designs and implements systems and processes to fulfill the goals and operational needs of the Stone Centre and CIDER.

• Creates an environment that fosters growth, development, productivity and team objectives, by applying appropriate managerial techniques.

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to develop funding opportunities.

• Use tact and discretion to adopt, implement and improve plans beneficial to achieving the objectives and goals of the Stone Centre and CIDER.

• Oversee an annual program of events, conferences and workshops, including directing the planning and implementation, working with vendors, budget oversight, reviewing proposals, coordinating other personnel responsible for aspects of the event, and leading al l post-event activities.

Administration and HR:

• Provides total accountable operational leadership, develops and implements administrative plans, processes and changes to meet initiatives and evolving needs to enhance productivity. Manages and oversees the implementation of administrative policies and procedures to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. Key resource person regarding administrative matters, as well as policy and procedures for UBC.

• Manages administration of the Stone Centre gift and endowment accounts.

• Works with different units within UBC to establish grants for faculty members affiliated with CIDER and the Stone Centre.

• Ensure all files and records regarding the Stone Centre and CIDER are established and kept current and confidential in accordance with the Freedom of Information/Protection of Privacy legislation.

• Manages administrative and steering committee meetings, including the Stone Centre and CIDER events and conferences.

• Oversees handling and resolution of complaints; hiring, evaluating, performance reviews and constructive feedback, discipline and terminating of staff; developing and updating job descriptions for administrative and technical staff.

• Manages all aspects of staff appointments, including pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellows. Reappointments and promotions of the Stone Centre and CIDER staff, including recruitment, advertising, liaising with faculty members to evaluate applicants and scheduling interviews, offer letters, funding arrangements, and HR advisory services.

• Provides consultation and advice to faculty and staff regarding employee relations and human resource issues.

• Manages and implements salary programs, i.e., general wage increases and promotions for Stone Centre and CIDER staff.

Finance:

• Manages and is accountable for the financial accounts for the Stone Centre and CIDER including forecasting, preparing budgets and signatory on appropriate accounts.

• Works closely with the VSE Administrator, FoA Finance Manager and VPRI office to ensure funds are accounted for and correctly allocated according to project budget policy guidelines and plan.

• Responsibilities include financial oversight; preparing financial reports and statements, managing all financial accounts and budgets associated with the Stone Centre and CIDER, monitoring expenditures, and overseeing payment expenses and reconciliation of discrepancies through UBC accounts.

• Provide regular, accurate, and timely reports, ensure year-end deadlines are met and that allocated resources are used most efficiently for the intended purpose.

• Ensure that all Stone Centre and CIDER operations comply with UBC policies and procedures as well as the terms of external funding agreements. Ensure that clear policies and procedures are in place and followed, concerning all aspects of operations, human resources and finance.

• Works with the FoA Finance Manager to ensure accessibility to CIDER grants and Stone Centre funding.

Internal Research Project, Grant funding, Gifts and Endowments:

• Develop strategic and financial plans to meet the goals of the Stone Centre and CIDER's internal and external research grant projects,

• Attract additional funding by supporting grant opportunities, researching necessary information, preparing documents, forms and financial information, and supporting the submission of proposals. Ensures the right funding resources are available to support research activities, research interests of the team, and funding is distributed in an efficient and timely manner.

Communications:

• Manage day-to-day communications with faculty, graduate students, research partners and stakeholders, responding to problems and investigating and resolving such concerns related to budget, project processes, and general project queries.

• Lead the preparation of an annual report for the Stone Centre and CIDER.

• Co-ordinate communication of the Stone Centre and CIDER's successes to internal, and external communities and the general public.

• Oversee the Centres' online presence and social media .

• Perform other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position is expected to exercise an extremely high level of accountability and judgment. Requires a high level of organizational skills to fulfill responsibilities, balance priorities, and ensure efficient workflow. Communications are sensitive and confidential and demand excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and absolute integrity. Poor decisions about policy, budgeting, resource allocations, staffing and a failure to perform in a timely and effective manner would damage the credibility of the Stone Centre, CIDER and faculty member's ability to perform their jobs. Inaccurate budget planning could cause over expenditures and a lack of funds available for necessary operations of the Stone Centre and CIDER. Incorrect interpretation of policies and procedures, union agreements and manuals could cause personnel, financial and reputational damage.
Supervision Received
The Stone-CIDER Research Centre Manager reports to the CIDER Director, Stone Centre Director, and VSE Administrator, with considerable latitude to develop strategies to meet agreed-upon goals.
Supervision Given
Will manage a staff of 6 or more research assistants, Pre-Doctoral, and CUPE 2950 Staff.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years' 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

University, Tri-council and non-tri-council grant-funding, endowments and gifts experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Administrative experience managing and supervising staff in a unionized and non-unionized environment. Ability to interpret and apply collective agreements in a complex, unionized environment. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of human resources principles and procedures for various unionized and non-unionized staff and faculty collective agreements. Ability to manage complex financial arrangements and contracts. Demonstrated thorough financial management and budgeting skills. Working knowledge of tri-council, non-tri-council grant and endowment gift financial policies an asset. Experience managing JELF/CFI grants an asset. Project coordination experience. Ability to conduct detailed and thorough analyses; plan, organize, manage, monitor, complete, and evaluate projects within allocated timelines and resources. Strong organizational skills with the ability to be thorough, accurate and have a high level of attention to detail. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to deal with a diverse group of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner. Ability to exercise tact and discretion. Excellent analytical skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ability to assess situations and make decisions that fall outside the scope of established policies. Demonstrated time management skills including organizing workload, priority setting, multitasking and timely execution of tasks; must be self-directed. Excellent verbal and written communication. Ability to work effectively with all levels within the University. Ability to work within established timelines and solid stress management skills. Ability to take initiative and exercise sound judgment. Ability to make decisions in accordance with the broad research scope. Ability to work with minimal supervision and in a team environment. Ability to effectively use word processing and spreadsheet software applications (Excel) as well as Internet browsers and email applications. Ability to develop and implement strategic business plans. Ability to lead change by creating a vision and taking appropriate action to ensure acceptance and support. Ability to explain, assign, and monitor work. Ability to make decisions and recommendations involving highly complex issues.