CUES Program Manager

University of British Columbia - Staff; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Vancouver is seeking a CUES Program Manager to manage a community engagement funding program. The role involves developing policies, evaluating outcomes, and fostering partnerships between the university and community. Ideal candidates will have experience in community engagement, a commitment to equity, and strong project management skills. This position offers a dynamic working environment focused on inclusive practices.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years' experience in community engagement or related role.
• Strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Experience building relations with stakeholders and community leaders.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver the Community University Engagement Support (CUES) funding program.
• Evaluate the CUES program to inform future initiatives.
• Develop and maintain program materials and facilitate training sessions.

Skills

Community engagement

Project management

Communication skills

Data analysis

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

Graduate degree preferred

Tools

Client Relationship Management (CRM) tools like Salesforce

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

MS Teams

Sharepoint

Zoom

Job description

Job Summary

As a core member of the Community Engagement (CE) team, the CUES Program Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating the Community University Engagement Support (CUES) funding program, in close collaboration with others within and external to UBC. CUES is a major, cross-campus funding initiative under the Office of the VP, External Relations and VP, Research and Innovation that furthers the commitment to community engagement articulated in UBC's strategic plan. The job also entails running the smaller, low-barrier Partnership Recognition Fund (PRF), until it is streamlined into the CUES fund (a process the incumbent will also be responsible for). Leading this project requires the ability to understand and interpret complex issues, to build relations across disciplines, hierarchies and with external partners, and to think strategically about how to align outcomes and impacts of funding program with university and community priorities.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Manager, Community Engagement (CE). The CE office is charged with providing system-wide support, service and strategy for community-university engagement, to advance reciprocal community-university engagement for a more equitable and just world. Our team contributes to and leads efforts to make reciprocal CE core to the academic mission by making sure the expertise and assets that communities bring to UBC are valued. We work collaboratively across UBC to proactively address barriers so community partners, particularly equity-deserving groups, can engage meaningfully with UBC.

Work Performed

Responsible for managing and delivering the Community University Engagement Support (CUES) funding program, which includes:

• Revising and implementing the CUES program, policies, and procedures

• Evaluating the CUES program, through the collection and analysis of relevant data, and assessing funding outcomes and impacts to inform the broader work of the CE office; supported by the Advisor

• Streamlining CE’s existing Partnership Recognition Fund into the CUES funding program

• Developing project plan and timeline with colleagues in VPRI

• Developing, maintaining and updating project timelines, application materials, reviewer resources, and reports

• Prepare and facilitate information sessions for prospective applicants; prepare and facilitate training sessions for reviewers

• Facilitating steering committee meetings and incorporating feedback into the program accordingly

• Working with community partners and UBC faculty and staff to support the development of funding applications

• Conducting research and learning in collaboration with internal and external partners to decolonize and reduce systemic barriers to CUES, in line with UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan

• Collaborating with the CE Advisors to advise on additional supports for applicants (i.e., grant-writing, partnership development, connecting with other resources at UBC and beyond, etc.)

• Developing a communications strategy with support from the CE Communications Specialist, including funding announcements and Dean’s letters

• Working closely with the CE Operations and Program Coordinator on all administrative components of the CUES program, including budget, invoicing, and tracking of fund distribution

• Working closely with CE Advisors to support applicants from inside and outside UBC and connect with other units and resources as needed

• Progress reports to Managers and Associate Vice-Presidents and presenting on CUES inside and outside UBC

• Participating and facilitating weekly team meetings in the CE office

• Tracking and managing CE funding data

• Performing other related duties as required

Consequence of Error/Judgement

A high-level of tact and discretion is required. Errors in judgment, ineffective communication or improper actions may have a serious negative impact on the reputation of the university, its senior administrators, faculty and staff and/or on the relationship of the office with internal and external stakeholders. Data sets contain sensitive personal and confidential information whose security and privacy is mandated by FIPPA and UBC Policy. Failure to ensure security and privacy of such data would contravene BC and federal laws. The incumbent will have access to confidential documents, discussion and information. Breach of confidentiality could adversely affect the office’s association with faculty, staff or community partners.

Supervision Received

Works independently under general managerial direction, receiving guidance and support from the Manager on unusual and complex matters.

Supervision Given

May manage the activities of other subordinate staff such as work-study students, graduate academic assistants, communications technicians or program assistants including the assignment of duties and responsibilities and setting of priorities. May supervise contractors.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Graduate degree preferred

• Minimum of five 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

• Experience related to community engagement, higher education, community-based research / experiential learning, or other community engagement roles engaging with senior managers, local communities, stakeholder groups and the general public preferred.

• Experience with fund or grant program management, preferably in not-for-profit and/or post-secondary education sector

• Experience in a large, complex organization.

• Comfort with having assumptions challenged, managing difficult conversations, and listening.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement engagement and consultation plans, and construct and execute tactics to support the plan.

• Experience with program evaluation

• Experience building relations with all levels of an organization, community leaders and individuals, demonstrating the ability to establish a high level of rapport, utilize judgment and sensitivity in presenting issues.

• Adept in process design and project management.

• Able to quickly grasp the scope of complex issues and the potential impacts on the organization.

• Ability to effectively facilitate groups to achieve appropriate outcomes and develop/deliver effective presentations and workshops.

• Ability to exercise diplomacy, tact and discretion and effectively manage sensitive or controversial issues.

• Possesses a collaborative, team-focused working style while self-sufficient and self-motivated.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Experience as a member of or collaborator with Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led organizations preferred.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS Teams, Sharepoint, Zoom and Internet).

• Experience using Client Relationship Management (CRM) tools like Salesforce valued.