Senior Project Manager, Health Engagement & Partnerships

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

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Vancouver is seeking a Senior Project Manager to oversee projects in health engagement and partnerships. The role involves strategic planning, managing multiple concurrent projects, and fostering collaboration with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have project management experience and an understanding of Indigenous health issues. This position supports a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of related experience.
• In-depth knowledge of history of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
• Ability to mentor and coach staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage design, development, and execution of projects.
• Lead cross-functional teams to ensure project success.
• Develop and implement strategic plans and objectives.

Skills

Strategic and system thinking

Excellent communication skills

Project management

Understanding of Indigenous issues

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

Project management-related certificate

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category M&P - AAPS Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Administration, Level C Job Title Senior Project Manager, Health Engagement & Partnerships Department Health Engagement | Dean's Office | Faculty of Medicine Compensation Range $7,622.83 - $11,886.67 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 August 10, 2025

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

Job End Date

Ongoing

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 Senior Project Manager is responsible for the strategic, operational and administrative organization of the Office of Health Engagement and Partnerships in the Faculty of Medicine (FoM). The Manager is responsible for managing the design, development, execution, and evaluation of multiple concurrent strategic projects that advance the Office of Health Engagement and Faculty of Medicine’s strategic plan. The incumbent will engage senior Faculty leadership and broad stakeholders to understand and clarify goals and objectives, lead he project conception process, manage a number of concurrent projects of considerable size, diversity and complexity, and assume responsibility for their successful completion.

The Senior Project Manager works independently and with minimal high-level direction from the Vice Dean Health, Engagement and will work collaboratively to lead cross-functional teams. The incumbent will manage the entire project lifecycle including engaging senior leadership, gathering and analyzing information from stakeholders, preparing project documentation, tracking progress of work/schedules, planning and executing change management strategies and tactics, managing communications, conducting analyses, and other associated project tasks.

Working in partnership with UBC Health and health deans, provincial health authorities, other relevant health sector organizations and groups, academic institutions, communities, and government to facilitate, coordinate and optimize academic activities and foster integration to support and advance shared priorities for the health system in BC is a key activity of the UBC Faculty of Medicine and its health engagement and partnership portfolio. The portfolio is also responsible for strategically leading Faculty’s efforts with respect to Indigenous relationships and reconciliation, and advancing coordination and collaboration with local, national, and international partners to improve health and wellness, health equity, and health systems for people and populations locally and globally, including those in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. In addition, efforts of the portfolio are focused on fostering provincial capacity, access, utility, and rigor in health data science and other digital or technical capabilities.

This position reports to the Vice Dean, Health Engagement and works closely with the Partnership Pillar Co-Lead and their Executive Coordinator as well as with the Director, Indigenous Health Engagement.

Organizational Status

TheUniversity of British Columbiais a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.

Our Vision: To Transform Health for Everyone.

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.

Our Vision: To Transform Health for Everyone

Ranked among the world’s top medical schools with the fifth-largest MD enrollment in North America, the UBC Faculty of Medicine is a leader in both the science and the practice of medicine. Across British Columbia, more than 12,000 faculty and staff are training the next generation of doctors and health care professionals, making remarkable discoveries, and helping to create the pathways to better health for our communities at home and around the world.

The Faculty—comprised of approximately 2,200 administrative support, technical/research and management and professional staff, as well approximately 650 full-time academic and over 10,000 clinical faculty members—is composed of 19 academic basic science and/or clinical departments, 3 schools, and 25 research centres and institutes. Together with its University and Health Authority partners, the Faculty delivers innovative programs and conducts research in the areas of health and life sciences. Faculty, staff and trainees are located at university campuses, clinical academic campuses in hospital settings and other regionally based centres across the province.

The UBC Vancouver Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The City of Vancouver is located on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations territory.

Work Performed

Operations & Administration:

• Leads operational strategies to enable overall process and success of projects and daily functions of the Office of Health Engagement and Partnership (HEP) in the Faculty of Medicine (FoM) (portfolio). Develops and implements strategic plans, goals and objectives.
• Works closely with the Vice Dean, Health Engagement on a regular basis dealing with complex issues of the Faculty of Medicine related to partnerships, relationships, and other relevant activities. Leads coordination with Partnership Pillar co-lead and others working on joint projects and initiatives.
• Works closely with the Director, Indigenous Engagement and relevant others on efforts dedicated to Indigenous relationships and reconciliation.
• Manages senior leadership meetings within VP Health and Dean of Medicine portfolio; and provides expert committee management as required, including scheduling, preparing agenda and background documentation, minute taking and ensuring follow up actions are completed.
• Foster positive and productive relationships with stakeholders throughout the organization.
• Works with the Development team in fund raising efforts to support and enable priorities and initiatives of the portfolio.
• Oversees and manages portfolio commitments, requests for information, and meetings, and makes appropriate linkages with members of the FoM Dean’s Executive team and other relevant internal and external partners.
• Deals with highly confidential and sensitive material and matters, relating to FoM partnerships and relationships. A high level of integrity is required in maintaining confidentiality. Manages information in an extremely demanding environment requiring the highest level of tact, discretion, and sensitivity.

Project Management

• Identifies, manages, designs, leads and implements multiple concurrent projects of considerable size, diversity, complexity and risks, and emerging issues entrusted to the Office of Health Engagement to ensure efficient administration, organization and operations aimed to advance the strategic plan of the Faculty.
• Leads the development of strategic projects that are complex in scope, impact, and diversity of stakeholders, with significant long-term importance and consequence to the Faculty of Medicine.
• Conduct research, analysis and leads consultations to understand project purposes and intended outcomes and leads the design and conception of projects that align with strategic objectives.
• Plan projects by defining the scope of work and deliverables required to achieve the intended outcome, estimating time and resource requirements.
• Understands change management implications of projects, designs change management strategies and tactics, integrates change management into project management plans, and leads the implementation of change management in projects.
• Manages and leads project activities, ensuring completion of action items and deliverables, and keeping projects on track towards achieving the intended outcome.
• Identifies project risks, develops risk mitigation strategies, incorporates risk mitigation plans into project plans, and leads risk mitigation actions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Engage stakeholders from different units and functions in collaborative project work, valuing their input and incorporating change management principles and best practices. Make recommendations on potential options and courses of action.
• Develop and implement internal communication tools and business processes to keep team members informed about project status, scope changes, and milestone achievements.
• Plan and facilitate project meetings, focusing on advancing project goals, tracking decisions, and capturing action items for follow-up.
• Plans and leads conferences and events that involve a number of key stakeholders, providers and partners.
• In conjunction with portfolio members and the Faculty’s evaluation team, supports and enables development and implementation of an overall portfolio evaluation framework, and helps ensure its successful operation and completion. This includes support for development and implementation of an evaluation framework for the FoM’s Response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and help ensure it successful operation and completion.
• Uses diplomacy and leadership skills to manage and lead other team members, often who do not formally report to the Project Manager, to ensure proper completion in light of the full project scope, budget, timeline, and risks.
• Perform other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position works independently with guidance and will need to exercise a high degree of judgment and initiative. This position is responsible for making professional project decisions and recommendations that impact the success of projects that are vital to achieving the Faculty's strategic objectives. The portfolio routinely deals with sensitive and high priority issues. Tact and discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive matters is essential. Through its close interaction with partner organizations, this position has a direct impact on the credibility and integrity of the FoM within the health authorities, government, business, and academic communities and various other external stakeholders. If confidentiality is mishandled or breached, professional and academic careers may be affected. Disseminating incorrect information would greatly impact the reputation of the Faculty and the University as a whole. Failure to meet project targets or deadlines or lack of planning could adversely impact the reputation of the Faculty and the University. Errors in judgment with internal and external constituents could have negative impact on the Faculty and the University resulting in legal action, negative public relations, financial costs, and loss of credibility.

Supervision Received
This position works independently under the broad direction of the Vice Dean, Health Engagement. Works closely with senior academic and administrative leadership in project sponsorship roles, depending on the project. Performance is evaluated against set goals and expectations. Some strategies, initiatives, and projects could be independently managed and may be subject to final review only.

Supervision Given
Manages the work of project team members on a project basis.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of five 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

Preferred Qualifications

• A project management-related certificate or designation is required. Project coordination and/or management experience is required.
• An in-depth knowledge of the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the impact of the colonialism on Indigenous health, wellness, and other social issues is expected.
• Experiential knowledge of Indigenous peoples, cultures, and histories is an asset.
• Knowledge of University and Faculty of Medicine policies, procedures, governance and administrative systems preferred.
• Excellent communication and public relations skills (spoken and written, formal and informal) and computer skills (e.g., with the MS Office Suite) are required.
• Must be intuitive as well as analytical. Ability to proactively identify next steps and options, in particular when encountering a challenge, is required.
• Must have strategic and system thinking skills, with strong attention to detail and ability to see the big picture.
• Proven ability to build and maintain business relationships at senior levels and in complex environments such as health care organizations or universities.
• Ability to exercise a high level of diplomacy, tact, and discretion when working with information of a confidential and/or sensitive nature and in dealing with various levels of senior administration and external agencies.
• Ability to manage projects that involve a variety of partners or stakeholders.
• Ability to develop, implement and evaluate project and communication plans.
• Flexible, comfortable working in ambiguity, and high action orientation and invigorated by change.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, set work priorities, work under pressure and meet deadlines within allocated time and resources.
• Ability to diagnose problems, identify underlying issues and effectively resolve the issues.
• Ability to mentor and coach staff, establish standards and goals, evaluate performance, provide feedback and take corrective action.
• Ability to consistently foster collaboration and respect among team members by addressing elements of the group process that impedes, or could impede, the group from reaching its goals.