Programming Manager

University of British Columbia - Staff; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia is seeking a Programming Manager to lead university-wide development and alumni relations events. The role focuses on managing stakeholder relationships, ensuring compliance with UBC policies, and producing engaging programs that enhance donor and community relations.

Qualifications

• Minimum four years of related experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Manage implementation and execution of major university-wide programs.
• Research clients' needs to develop quality content for programs.
• Develop and sustain relationships with academic units for strategic programming.

Skills

Relationship Management

Event Management

Communication

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Two year diploma in Hotel Management, Hospitality, Tourism, or Event Management

Undergraduate degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category M&P - AAPS Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Conferences, Accommodations and Ceremonies, Level C Job Title Programming Manager Department Programming Events Compensation Range $7,283.75 - $10,474.08 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 June 26, 2025

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

Job End Date

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

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 incumbent of this position is responsible for managing the programming related to university-wide development and alumni relations events and initiatives. The incumbent is responsible for identifying and securing speakers expected of a world-class university. The Programming Manager is positioned in the organization to deliver on the VPDAE’s outstanding stakeholder experiences strategy while collaborating with various high profile stakeholders across campus, in every faculty, each VP office, the Board of Governors and the President’s Office.

Major responsibilities include researching and analyzing clients’ needs, recruiting and stewarding relationships with program speakers, developing content for programs, managing internal and external stakeholder relationships, ensuring UBC policies are adhered to, managing a complex schedule of multiple and simultaneous programs and events, and ensuring consistency of communication vehicles that support the delivery of event programs. This position contributes to and positively impacts the University’s relationship with high-profile University donors and partners, as well as alumni and community members.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

Reports directly to the Director, Programming

Works with: Development and Alumni Engagement colleagues, Communications and Ceremonies teams, UBC faculty and staff involved in external relations, UBC service providers, external vendors, and other senior administrators, including the Board of Governors, President’s Office and Deans, as required.

Contacts: Alumni, donors, students, faculty, staff, external community and organizations

Supervises: This position is supported by and indirectly manages the Events and Programs Coordinator

WORK PERFORMED

Program Management:

• Manage the implementation and execution of multiple major and high-profile University-wide programs;

• Research and analyze clients’ needs to develop quality content for programs, contributing to the University’s strategic goal of providing outstanding stakeholder experiences;

• Advise senior University leadership and internal stakeholders on risk management associated with the delivery of provocative programs;

• Provide guidance and advice, internally and externally, about best practices in program protocols, delivery and evaluation;

• Manage relationships with a roster of high-profile keynote and guest speakers to ensure a consistent and integrated approach;

• Recruit and steward relationships with program speakers to further develop and enhance the diversity and depth of the University’s roster of high-profile keynote and guest speakers;

• Develop programs and recruit and recognize volunteers with the lens of producing equitable and inclusive programs for volunteers, guests, and staff;

• Continuously assess, evaluate and analyse programs to recommend and implement program improvements, while ensuring strategic alignment;

• Explores and identifies opportunities for event sponsorship and works closely with DAE colleagues to ensure sponsorship agreements are met;

• Contribute and adhere to a system of coordinated communications for program promotion (invitations, web presence, social media, videos, UBC Magazine, newsletters);

• Travel to events within the Lower Mainland and as required, outside the Lower Mainland;

• Other duties as assigned.

Relationship Management:

• Develop and sustain relationships with academic units to identify and create strategic opportunities and other synergistic opportunities in programming;

• Interact regularly with constituent groups including senior University administration, faculty, staff, volunteers, development and alumni colleagues based in the central and academic units, as well as students to gain their support fo,r and inclusion in, program initiatives;

• Support critical relationships that contribute to UBC’s reputational excellence, including those with other universities, Canadian Consulates and High Commission offices, and professional associations;

• Share knowledge and information acquired through alumni, student, faculty and donor interactions with internal partners;

• Maintain accurate alumni, donor, and student profiles and program information in the University’s database in a timely, accurate and appropriate manner;

• Perform other related duties, as required.

CONSEQUENCE OF ERROR

Given that the incumbent will work regularly at all levels of the institution, the Programming Manager is expected to exercise judgment, diplomacy and tact in all interactions. Standards of customer service are essential. Errors in program management could have high implications for the University. Poor judgment or inferior standards of customer service could alienate constituents, damage the university’s reputation, as well as negatively impact potential opportunities to engage constituents as friends, volunteers and donors.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Reports directly to the Director, Programming. The incumbent completes tasks independently against set objectives and performance expectations, within a collaborative work environment. Deviations from practices and delicate matters of protocol are referred to Director, Programming or Managing Director, Communications & Engagement.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

Provides guidance to the Events and Programs Coordinator.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Two year diploma in Hotel Management, Hospitality, Tourism, or Event Management. Minimum of four years of related 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.

• Embraces and embodies UBC brand attributes of curiosity, initiative, courage, and inspiring.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two year diploma in Hotel Management, Hospitality, Tourism, or Event Management.

• Undergraduate degree preferred. Minimum of four years’ experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Relationship management and/or event management/event programming experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience preferred.

• Thorough knowledge of the university environment and academic structure is an asset.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work independently while exercising good judgment at all times.

• Well-developed analytical, research and problem-solving skills are required.

• Strong conceptual abilities combined with high attention to detail.

• Ability to work simultaneously on a variety of complex projects with imposed deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal skills required in liaising with major donors, corporate executives and senior university administration.

• Tact, diplomacy, discretion and sound judgment required.

• Drive to offer service above and beyond.

• Comfort with MS Office a must; Knowledge of UBC LINKS an asset.