Project Manager

Staff – Non Union

Job Category
M&P – AAPS

Job Title
Project Manager

Department
UBCO tendersglobal.net Research Support tendersglobal.net Alam tendersglobal.net School of Engineering tendersglobal.net Faculty of Applied Science (Shahria Alam)

Posting End Date
February 29, 2024

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

Job End Date
Dec 31, 2026

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 Green Construction Research & Training Center (GCRTC), located at the School of Engineering (SoE) at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Okanagan campus, is accepting applications for a Project Manager for the center. The Center is a collection of researchers and industry focused on advancing innovation to reduce carbon foot print from construction industry.

Reporting to the Director of the GCRTC.  This position is responsible for the administrative and financial management of all projects, and provides substantial administration support to the team. The position will also focus on fostering new academic, industry, and community partnerships, write proposals, arrange and facilitate meetings amongst cluster members and external partners. The ideal candidate will have an entrepreneurial spirit with ambitions to improve the world through new technology.   

Organizational status

Works under the direction of the director of the Green Construction Research & Training Center (GCRTC). This position will work closely with researchers, industry, communications, and administrative staff. 

Work Performed

Implements and manages programs that support the strategic research goals and priorities of the Green Construction Research & Training Center (GCRTC) portfolio

Develops and applies an in-depth understanding of the Green Construction Research & Training Center priorities in order to provide a thoughtful and effective management of the internal funding programs that is aligned with those strategies;

Works in close collaboration with the Green Construction Research & Training Center members to ensure the success of projects.

Engages with stakeholders both proactively and reactively, developing innovative solutions and applying strong analytical and communications skills to solve problems;

Develops detailed program terms that ensure strategic priorities and goals are met (including consideration of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles and institutional commitments to Indigenous engagement and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission);

Works with the director to forecast and track program budgets;

Develops and uses a formal project management approach to manage and coordinate all cluster projects, including planning, executing, and monitoring detailed plans for each stage of the project

Creates all materials for cluster funding competitions, including execution of program terms, creation of webpage content, writing of progress reports, etc.;

Acts as the primary contact for the Green Construction Research & Training Center programs, providing advice and guidance to researchers and industry members;

Manages all cluster committees, including communication with committee members, assigning applications for review, planning committee meetings and ensuring terms of reference, membership, and reviewer training are current; ensures that membership and review processes support EDI;

Develops and delivers info sessions, workshops and seminars as needed to enhance activities of the Green Construction Research & Training Center

Prepares reports on projects, including financial, progress and key performance metrics to key stakeholders, and statistics on EDI;

Researches, analyzes and presents statistical reports to measure the impact of projects;

Manages post-award administration, including account set-up, annual reporting, expenses, organizing grants, and disbursements of funds;

Provides support to cluster members, including:

Support the members in reviewing schedules, budgets, risks, issues and reporting requirements;

Monitor and report on status of timelines, budgets, and scope changes on individual projects to director, and other stakeholders as needed; work with stakeholder group to resolve potential or actual risks/threats to project objectives and/or completion;

Provide guidance and advice on the eligibility of costs;

Review significant changes and variances and coordinate timely requests for approvals;

Facilitate collaborations and other project activities, such as managing, organizing and executing presentations, workshops, and outreach activities

Maintains current knowledge of the Canadian and international research funding environments with a particular emphasis on external funding opportunities related to research and development, infrastructure, and team-based interdisciplinary programs;

Collaboratively and meaningfully participates in strategic planning to optimize the Green Construction Research & Training Centers internal funding programs to increase success in large-scale research and development, infrastructure, and team-based interdisciplinary external funding opportunities.

As required, provides comprehensive project management and administrative support for special projects for the Strategic Initiatives portfolio;

Conducts the appropriate research to determine the viability of research concepts to market.

Manage the financial profile of the Green Construction Research & Training Center, including filing expenses.

Recognizing blockers, bottlenecks, project constraints, etc. in each project.

Provide a system or dashboard for getting weekly, monthly, and yearly reports on each project, including progress, funds, expenses, challenges, problems, solutions, results, predictions, etc., in an appropriate format.

Improve and update the Document Control Center regularly.

As required, perform other related duties.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position is responsible for the execution of specified programs and exercises judgement in work methods and prioritizing of workload.  Poor decisions may be damaging to the reputation of the Green Construction Research & Training Center and the university.  Errors in guidance and advice to faculty and/or incorrect interpretation of guidelines could result in lost opportunities and directly affect the researcher’s and Green Construction Research & Training Center’s achievement of strategic priorities and funding success.

Supervision Received

Reports to the director of the Green Construction Research & Training Center.  Works with significant independence and latitude. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of specific objectives. Performance and development of processes are reviewed by the Director of the Green Construction Research & Training Center.

Supervision Given

This position may supervise staff or student workers.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.

Minimum of three years of related experience, or an 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

Postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline.  

Technical background in construction, engineering, architecture, building sciences, or related discipline an asset.

Training in project management or equivalent work experience is required; a Project Management Professional designation is an asset. 

Previous experience in project management, program development, grant funding and budgeting, preferably in a research-intensive university environment, strongly desired.

Prior experience within the construction industry is an asset,

Ability to understand, develop and apply policies, procedures and instructions.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and to summarize relevant information in clear and succinct language. 

Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.

Ability to exercise sound judgment.

Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment.

Ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve.

Must possess a considerable amount of initiative and judgment in managing workload demands under pressure to meet deadlines.