Vice President for Finance and Operations

 Vice-President, Finance & Operations

University of British Columbia

 

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

 

The University of British Columbia (UBC) seeks nominations and applications for the position of Vice-President, Finance and Operations (VPFO). Reporting directly to the President and Vice-Chancellor, the VPFO serves as a key member of UBC’s executive leadership team, overseeing a broad portfolio that stewards the university’s financial and physical assets and thus impacts, supports, and reaches across every unit of the institution. The VPFO will join UBC at a time of great opportunity as the university envisions and acts upon bold strategies to advance and strengthen its position as one of the top ranked public universities in the world.

 

Through a collaborative and proactive approach, clear and accessible communication, and strategic leadership, the VPFO will work closely with diverse constituencies across the university, including the leadership team, the Board of Governors, the Faculties, as well as external partners to extend and amplify UBC’s academic and public missions. The VPFO will oversee an annual budget in excess of $2 billion, a $2+ billion endowment, and all university building operations and infrastructure on both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. The VPFO’s portfolio includes: the Comptroller; Financial Operations; Treasury; Facilities (Building Operations; Energy & Water Services; and Infrastructure Development); Safety & Risk Services; VPFO Communications & Engagement; VPFO Human Resources; and Finance & Operations Okanagan. Additionally, the VPFO manages the university’s relationships with the UBC Investment Management Trust and UBC Properties Trust.

 

This is a critically important appointment for UBC and one that comes with great opportunity to make a tangible and lasting impact. The VPFO will be a strong partner to the President and Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Okanagan Campus, the Provosts, the Board of Governors, and Senates, serving as the chief financial officer for the university and providing leadership for all short and long-term financial decision-making. Working particularly closely with the Provosts and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Okanagan Campus, they will translate university-wide strategic priorities into actionable financial and operational plans. Relatedly, the VPFO will lead efforts to reimagine UBC’s budget model to better support the university’s mission and goals and support the shared yet distinct needs and goals of both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. The VPFO will be a change leader and systems thinker, overseeing complex and expansive operational units, implementing innovative uses of technology to strengthen essential university functions, and advancing strategies for revenue generation and campus improvement through land development and capital projects.

 

The VPFO will be an adept navigator of complex organizations, possessing a deep appreciation of the academic mission and the political acumen to successfully communicate and collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. Across the work they do, the VPFO will uphold the principles of inclusion, antiracism, and indigenous rights, striving to identify and put into practice initiatives that advance these values and goals. Finally, as the leader of a large and complex team, the VPFO will be a strong manager, modelling and promoting a culture of openness, high-quality service, and transparency, and establishing processes and structures that best utilize the expertise of their strong leadership team.

 

The University of British Columbia has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in conducting this important search and to help identify outstanding candidates. All inquiries, applications, and nominations for this opportunity should be directed to the search firm as indicated below.

 

Dan Rodas, Partner

Katy Ryan, Senior Associate

Isaacson, Miller

 

www.imsearch.com/8549

 

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.