Partnerships, Communications, and Student Engagement Coordinator

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 74,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

The Asia Forest Research Centre (AFRC) at the University of British Columbia seeks a Partnerships, Communications, and Student Engagement Coordinator to identify and develop a network of faculty, alumni, employers, and community partners to broaden experiential learning opportunities and to build and manage AFRC’s digital content and brand presence.

You will collaborate with faculty, partner universities, funding agencies, and industry to advance AFRC’s mission and secure sustainable funding for

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Experience in building partnerships, stakeholder engagement, or project management is preferred.
• Knowledge of academic partnership development, funding processes, and grant management is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Identify, build, and sustain a network of faculty, alumni, employers, and community partners to establish experiential learning opportunities.
• Develop AFRC’s digital content and brand presence across channels.
• Lead the full grant application and funding development lifecycle and manage post-award compliance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Strategic planning

Project management

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Business Development, Level A

Job Title

Partnerships, Communications, and Student Engagement Coordinator

Department

Asian Strategies Unit | Dean’s Office | Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship

Compensation Range

$6,631.67 - $9,533.25 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.

Posting End Date

October 15, 2026

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

Job End Date

November 30, 2029

3 year term position

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

The Asia Forest Research Centre (AFRC) works as a cross-departmental entity within the UBC Faculty of Forestry and Environment Stewardship, managing numerous complex relations with a wide range of different institutions across Asia. Through the 2+2/3+2 transfer programs, the graduate programs, research, and communication networks, AFRC aims to create a more sustainable platform for forest science advancements and education in Asia. Programs and services under AFRC include consulting and tech support, research and collaborations, student recruitment and mobility, and capacity building.

The position is responsible for identifying and developing a network of faculty, employer, alumni, and community partnerships to expand experiential learning opportunities; developing AFRC’s digital content and brand presence; and building and managing AFRC’s funding and grant pipeline. The incumbent works closely with faculty members, students, partner universities, research institutions, funding agencies, industry organizations, and community stakeholders to advance AFRC’s mission and secure sustainable funding for strategic programs and projects.

Organizational Status

Reports to Assistant Dean, Asian Strategies.

Work Performed

AFRC International Student Support & Administration (50%)

Provide academic and non-academic advising, orientation, and transition support for Chinese incoming cohorts — including high school transfer students and 3+2/2+2 articulation program students — applying specialized knowledge of their academic backgrounds and program requirements, including:

• Identify, build, and sustain a network of faculty, alumni, employers, and community partners to establish experiential learning opportunities, and coordinate student placement into Work-Learn, Co-op, and research roles.
• Identify and establish student development programming, including career-readiness, job-readiness, and academic advising, informed by analysis of retention, placement, and academic outcomes data.
• Assess student and cohort needs to determine advising, referral, and support strategies — including referrals to specialized academic, career, wellness, and accessibility services — and resolve the distinct transition-related needs of 3+2 students.

Website Maintenance, Social Media Operation and Brand Promotion (20%)

• Develop AFRC’s digital content and brand presence, ensuring alignment with AFRC’s mandate, Forestry’s brand, and partner-university relationships.
• Maintain website structure and content to support navigation and searchability, and publish program and institutional updates.

Research Coordination and International Grant Writing (30%)

• In consultation with the Associate Dean, lead the full grant application and funding development lifecycle, recommending which opportunities to pursue and how proposals and partnerships should be structured; final funding-pursuit decisions rest with the Associate Dean.
• Build a funding pipeline and manage post-award compliance, financial monitoring, and reporting to protect AFRC’s funding relationships.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position exercises considerable judgment and independent decision-making within defined objectives. Errors in judgment, communication, project management, funding applications, student services, stakeholder relations, or compliance activities may negatively impact student success, partnership relationships, funding opportunities, research initiatives, financial accountability, and the reputation of AFRC, the Faculty of Forestry, and the University. Poor decisions may result in the loss of funding, partnership opportunities, student engagement, and institutional credibility.

Supervision Received

Works under the general direction of the Forestry Associate Dean, Asian Strategies, within defined objectives; results are subject to review, particularly with respect to funding pursuit decisions and major partnership commitments.

Supervision Given

Supervisor Work-learn students and may advise staff in the coordination and delivery of programs and projects.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of four years of related experience with at least two years of experience in business analysis or project management, 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

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline preferred.
• Experience in international education, student success programming, or partnership management within a post-secondary institution.
• Experience developing and managing grant proposals, funding applications, and sponsored projects.
• Knowledge of Canadian and international research funding environments.
• Experience supporting international students and cross-cultural programming.
• Strong understanding of Chinese higher education systems and international articulation pathways.
• Oral and written fluency in English and Mandarin.
• Demonstrated experience in website administration, social media management, and digital communications.
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and project management skills.
• Excellent presentation, interpersonal, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships across diverse cultural and organizational environments.
• Experience with CRM systems, student information systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of forestry, natural resources, sustainability, climate change, environmental management, or related sectors would be considered an asset.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver results within demanding timelines.
• Experience working with UBC Workday system would be a definite asset.
• Familiarity with the Chinese Educational System
• Knowledge of current issues in Forestry, Conversation and Wood Products in BC Canada and internationally.