Partnership Development Specialist

University of British Columbia; Electoral Area A; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia Okanagan Innovation portfolio seeks a Partnership Development Specialist to build and maintain external research partnerships, including staffing the City of Kelowna collaborative fund and delivering engagement metrics.

You will support researchers, manage partnership portfolios, and develop high‑quality materials for internal and external stakeholders, including annual summaries and grant opportunities.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of five years of related experience in an appropriate business specialization, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenous ways of knowing.

Responsibilities

• Manage partnership programs and the Research Alliance Fund lifecycle.
• Coordinate Calls for Proposals, oversight of terms and adjudication processes.
• Support faculty in connecting with external partners and funding agencies.
• Develop and deliver communications, resources and reports for internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Partnership management

Project management

Relationship management

Data analysis

Education

Undergraduate degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Title Partnership Development Specialist Job Category M&P - AAPS Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Business Development, Level B Job Family Group Staff - Non Union Department UBCO | Innovation UBC | Vice Principal Research Office Compensation Range $7,158.42 - $10,292.25 CAD Monthly The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Job End Date Ongoing Posting End Date October 28, 2026 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. This position will be filled internally. It is posted for informational purposes only.

Job Description

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 Summary

UBC is committed to working with partners to address priority issues in British Columbia and beyond. We work closely with our partners to ensure that these are well conceived, managed and evaluated from all perspectives. Translating research into societal impact requires deep and long-term relationships with external organizations and communities. The Partnership Development Specialist supports the Innovation Director in building and delivering on these outcomes. As part of the Innovation team and Innovation UBC within the UBC Okanagan Office of the Vice-Principal Research & Innovation (OVPRI), the Partnership Development Specialist has an important role in broad operations on the innovation team and in developing and facilitating institutional industry and community partnerships, including responsibility for the collection of metrics and data relating to engagement and innovation. The position will also work closely with the Innovation UBC team in Vancouver. One of role’s primary assignment is staffing the UBC Okanagan – City of Kelowna Collaborative Research Alliance Fund. The Research Alliance Fund leverages expertise and resources of UBC Okanagan, the City of Kelowna, and potentially third-party organizations to advance research and innovation in areas that align with one or more City of Kelowna Council and Corporate priorities. This role provides project management and relationship support to UBC researchers and City staff for new and ongoing research projects under the terms of the Research Alliance Fund. Working with their City of Kelowna counterpart, this position is responsible for planning, managing and communicating the Research Alliance Fund application and review processes, and facilitating connections to support development of collaborative research applications involving the City of Kelowna staff, UBC Okanagan researchers and external partners. There is scope for growth with this Alliance to potentially extend beyond the City of Kelowna.

Organizational Status

Under the Office of Vice Principal Research & Innovation UBC Okanagan’s Innovation portfolio, and reporting directly to the Director, Innovation this position provides operational support for the broader innovation portfolio to facilitate success for partnerships between UBC and external partners. The Partnership Development Specialist fulfils the duties of Relationship Manager for UBC Okanagan under the terms of the Research Alliance Fund and works closely with the City of Kelowna Relationship Manager counterpart. This position reports to the Director, Innovation in the latter’s capacity as UBC Partnership Lead for Research Alliance Fund. The position also liaises with other research support services as needed to fulfil duties of the role and with UBC Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation, or their delegate, who Chair the Joint Adjudication Group for the Research Alliance Fund.

Work Performed

• Partnership Management Program management of existing projects (e.g., Research Alliance) which may include project check-ins and follow-ups, progress tracking, financial monitoring, relationship management and updates, grant and MITACs support, following established OVPRI and UBC Okanagan processes and procedures.
• Support for formal, strategic partner relationships which may include development and coordination of EOI’s, Calls for Proposals, including oversight of the terms, forms, communications, adjudication process, and notification of results.
• Provide support to research faculty in connecting, engaging and working with external partners and funding agencies under direction from the Director, Innovation, including post-award partner relationship management support.
• Identifies partner-driven funding opportunities for individual and team research funding with partners in line with the mandate of identified partnerships and strategic priorities for Departments, Faculties and UBC Okanagan, coordinates with Research Services on tri-council opportunities.
• Supports faculty in pursuing opportunities for research funding to support success in partner relationships.
• Coordinates with respective OVPRI teams to provide strategic advice regarding external funding agency policies and procedures, intellectual property, confidentiality, budgets and overhead recovery.
• Where no existing point of contact exists within the OVPRI, liaises with funding agencies as directed to manage inquiries and ensure applications meet sponsor requirements and UBC policies; communicates requirements and changes to faculty.
• Works to understand the research capacity and capabilities of the UBC Okanagan campus and identify collaboration and research partnership opportunities.
• Responsible for organization and logistic support for meetings and events that support partnership development.
• Creates metrics from multiple data sources to analyze and report on partner engagement and relevant funding opportunities to support key performance indicators.
• Develops high-quality materials (e.g., annual summaries, PowerPoint presentations, etc.) for presentation and submission to internal stakeholders and external partners (e.g., reporting to Kelowna City Council and UBC Okanagan executives).
• Innovation Portfolio Operations and Data Supports in the development of assets to advance the innovation portfolio on UBC Okanagan campus including process documentation, handbooks, etc.
• Collaborates with the Partnerships Team of Innovation UBC on programs and specific partnerships.
• Maintains database for tracking partnerships, opportunities and existing relationships with partners, keeping databases up to date with portfolio activity and providing relevant data and reporting for the portfolio; includes assessing, developing, and implementing partner feedback mechanisms.
• Works with researchers, collaborative teams, Institutes, Shared Research Platforms to assist with the development and/or expansion of external partnerships.
• Provides workshops, training and development opportunities related to the development of research partnerships.
• Develops and delivers programs that orient UBC researchers to leading practices in partnership development.
• Plans, manages, and disseminates communications and resources relating to partner-driven funding opportunities, including project and proposal development resources.
• Works with the OVPRI Communications team to coordinate and deliver messaging.
• Maintains direct communication channels with researchers and campus staff leveraging and maintaining listservs and contact databases.
• Implements and maintains an interactive asset map to track research capacity within UBC and opportunities for partnerships.
• Manages internal administration procedures for specific external partner funding application requirements (excluding Tri-Council Agencies), including the management and coordination of letters of intent / letters of support procedures as applicable.
• Collaborates with OVPRI’s Communications team to contribute to the development of innovation-related success stories and other partner-driven research communication products.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position plays a key role in managing relationships important to UBC Okanagan and ensuring the success of key external partnerships. It also has a significant influence on the quality and effectiveness of the services provided by the Innovation team. As a representative of, and ambassador for, the Innovation team, the Partnership Development Specialist will have an important influence on the team’s reputation both internally and externally. Poor judgement or poor relationship management may harm the reputation of UBC and may result in lost research partnership opportunities for the institution. Inaccurate or incomplete information regarding partnership opportunities or sponsor regulations could result in a loss of funding or may commit the University to unacceptable award conditions. Non-compliance with contractual terms and/or sponsoring agency guidelines or mismanagement of partnerships could result in the return of funds, loss of future funds and/or inability to collect funds owed to the University. Incorrect interpretation of Sponsoring Agency and University policy could result in non-compliance with sponsoring agency terms.

Supervision Received

Works under the general direction of the Director, Innovation with overall direction from the Vice-Principal Research and Innovation. Must be able to work independently and see projects through to completion.

Supervision Given

This position does not provide supervision.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of five years of related experience in an appropriate business specialization, 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, inclusion and Indigenous ways of knowing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-secondary experience preferred, experience in research administration an asset.
• Demonstrates strong skills and experience in project management and relationship management within a complex organization such as a post-secondary institution.
• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.
• Strong understanding of the research process.
• Strong interpersonal, organization and problem-solving skills, including the ability to multi-task a range of complex projects and to meet the required deadlines.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies and principles, project evaluation and monitoring, and multiple project interaction and integration.
• Ability to compose correspondence, reports, presentations and other written materials using clear concise business English using a variety of communication platforms.
• Ability to critically review documents against an established rubric and provide editorial feedback.
• Ability to gather, record and organize information efficiently. High degree of confidentiality, accuracy, attention to detail, thoroughness, flexibility and dependability.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures and instructions.
• Ability to take a proactive approach in service delivery.
• Ability to establish priorities while working collaboratively in a team setting.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse colleagues and teams.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and facilitate diverse meetings and workshops.
• Knowledge of successful partner-driven grant application procedures and granting agency requirements considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to implement and monitor performance metrics and other relevant tools.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data and provide recommendations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrated relationship-building and management skills.
• Ability to deconstruct program guidelines and break them down into clear descriptions of actions and essential steps.
• Ability to liaise with funding agencies and gather further program information.
• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world. Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at [e-mail].