City : Vancouver

Category : Full time

Industry : Educational Services

Employer : University of British Columbia

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Administration, Level B

Job Title

MDRU Business and Research Manager

Department

Research | MDRU | Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range

$6,747.50 - $9,701.42 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

March 8, 2026

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

Job End Date

March 31, 2028

 

 

About MDRU

MDRU https://www.mdru.ubc.ca/ is one of the largest integrated mineral deposit research groups in the world, based in the Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences at UBC. MDRU works in close partnership with global mining companies and academic institutions, producing applied research that advances mineral exploration and trains the next generation of geoscientists.

MDRU has been in operation for over 35 years with external funding. This role will be extended contingent upon funding.

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

This position is located in the Mineral Deposit Research Unit (MDRU) which sits within Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS). This role is responsible for the management of the financial operations and research administration of MDRU.

The incumbent exercises initiative and sound judgment in advising and providing expertise and guidance to the MDRU Director, Research Associates and Faculty on a broad range of issues regarding all facets of financial practices and research administration, both in the Faculty of Science and the University.

Organizational Status
This position reports directly to the MDRU Director, and has a dotted line report to the EOAS Director of Resources and Operations and works closely with all MDRU Research Associates, MDRU staff, faculty associated with MDRU, and MDRU graduate students.

Work Performed

Resource and Operations Management:

Develop processes to improve the efficiency of administration, organization and operation of MDRU and apply consistent measures for alignment with EOAS and UBC policies. 

Provide Operational and Administrative leadership, by formulating, interpreting and  implementing strategic plans, and promoting efficiency and effectiveness, to meet initiatives and evolving needs and to streamline business processes.

Works in partnership with the MDRU Director and Head EOAS to ensure resources are available to meet the initiatives, objectives and strategic plan of the MDRU and the department.

Works closely with the MDRU Communications and Events Manager and other staff to ensure that MDRU goals are met.

Primary liaison between MDRU and Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences.

Performs other related duties as required.

Research Administration:

Holds a knowledge and understanding of University Policies in order to appropriately formulate and evaluate researcher budgets to ensure that all grant funding agency and university requirements and protocols are met.

Monitors, identifies and disseminates information regarding various award opportunities.

Develop and negotiate contractor engagements as required (e.g., to support IT or Corporate Communications), including identification of external partners and contract review and execution.

Assists the MDRU Director with preparation of grant and academic proposals, letters of intent, background documentation, program rationales, and other reports.

Collects and coordinates relevant grant information, budgets, CVs and statistics.

Develops, implements, and maintains procedures, systems and processes for research file management and application/information guidelines.

Administers multiple large scale projects including: overseeing the management of work plans and collaborating on the most appropriate internal and external communications

Financial:

Participates in the strategic planning of both annual and multi-year resource allocations for MDRU.

Financial oversight of income-generating activities. Analyze operations and income-generating activities and generate recommendations to optimize these activities. Provides advice to both the MDRU Director and Head EOAS Head on budget management for MDRU operational budgets.

Prepares the MDRU’s short and long-term financial plans in conjunction with the MDRU Director and Head of EOAS.

Develop budgets and oversee financial execution of MDRU revenue-generating courses. Generate proposals to optimize revenue generation of future MDRU courses.

Prepares operational and research financial reports for the MDRU Board of Directors for MDRU Board meetings.

Oversees the financial management of MDRU’S budget and all research, expense and revenue budgets. Monitors all operating accounts, on an individual and rollup basis; produces variance analyses of revenues and expenditures or other key financial indicators; develops and produces regular and customized financial reports as a basis for decisions on management resource allocations. Analyzes relationships between budget and actual financial data and determines reasons for variances; develops techniques to improve forecasts.

Directs and oversees the processing of financial transactions (supplier invoices, payroll and accounting journals, purchase requisitions, purchase orders, expense reports, internal service delivery); and the monthly reconciliation of Workday ledger reports

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position requires accurate advice and information provided in a timely manner, and makes decisions regarding the development and implementation of comprehensive policies, procedures, and systems across MDRU.  The position requires a high degree of discretion, judgment and initiative. Work requires the incumbent to exercise tact, diplomacy, confidentiality and understanding of the complexities of MDRU. Work may often be performed independently within very limited time constraints, requiring the incumbent to meet deadlines and solve problems quickly and effectively, often under pressure. The incumbent is required to respond well to unexpected or unforeseen circumstances, at times.

Inappropriate or delayed actions and if critical information has been overlooked or procedures have not been followed, could adversely affect the credibility of MDRU, EOAS and the University. Errors could have a significant impact on our ability to attract and retain industry funding and support. Incorrect approvals of actions or inappropriate advice can have financial and legal implications to University. Misinterpretations of policy or collective agreements can be precedent setting and lead to appeals and grievances.

Supervision Received
Reports directly to the MDRU Director and works independently under broad directives from the MDRU Director. Takes direction from the EOAS Director of Resources and Operations and Head of EOAS.

Supervision Given
Directs the work of the MDRU Finance Clerk.

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

• University degree in business or financial administration or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Experience and knowledge of University policies, procedures, governance and administrative systems in budgeting, financial reporting, procurement, and internal controls preferred.
• Experience with process improvement and process improvement education e.g. LEAN would be an asset
• Minimum of three years experience in financial management, reporting, budget planning and forecasting at UBC, or at a medium-sized company, in the range of $1,000,000 to $3,000,000
• Experience with grant proposal protocol/grant writing process is required
• Experience with research grant budget preparation preferred
• Experience with research administration, particularly NSERC funding rulesand reporting preferred
• Experience with stakeholder engagement and/or fundraising desirable
• Demonstrated experience with strategic planning and at least 2-3 years experience with managing and/or supervising staff

• Outstanding writing skills, including grammar and spelling. Articulate, thoughtful, open and receptive communicator, verbally and in writing.

• High degree of comfort with handling new situations, acquiring new skills, and prioritizing competing priorities in a fast paced environment
• Ability to work independently in a team environment and work effectively and solve problems under pressure to meet deadlines.

• Proven ability to build long term relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders while earning trust, maintaining appropriate confidentiality, using sound judgment, and exercising tact and diplomacy.
• Customer focused approach with the ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proven flexible approach, adaptability and comfort with ambiguity and change while dealing with new methods, procedures and changing conditions.