Director, Human Resources, Office Of The Dean, Faculty Of Medicine

Director, Human Resources, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Medicine

The Director, Human Resources, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Medicine provides strategic leadership in the overall direction, planning and operations of the human resources and organizational development portfolio in support of the Faculty of Medicine's mandate in education, research and supporting health care innovation. This position provides professional knowledge and leadership, creativity and energy to ensure a human resources framework which enables organizational goals and strategies to be achieved. This work is done in collaboration with academic and administrative leaders in the Faculty, UBC Central Human Resources (including Faculty Relations) and other representatives as required.

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 of Medicine - comprised of approximately 2,200 administrative support, technical/research and management and professional staff, as well approximately 600 full-time academic and over 12,000 clinical faculty members - is composed of 19 academic basic science and/or clinical departments, three schools, and 25 research centres and institutes. Together with its University and Health Authority partners, the Faculty of Medicine 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.

Provides strategic leadership in the development and implementation of human resource strategies, programs and practices that foster an exceptional work environment. Aims to create a workplace of choice for faculty and staff by promoting engagement and professional growth while supporting the organizational goals of the Faculty of Medicine's strategic plan. Leads and oversees the development of strategies, best practices and continuous improvement initiatives in the areas of human resources, organizational efficiencies, organizational and leadership development, and related administrative services. Manages the implementation of initiatives, and evaluates their outcomes, including providing direction to internal staff and external service providers to complete expected project outcomes.

Provides strategic direction and oversight for addressing conduct in the Faculty of Medicine's learning and work environments that includes informal interventions and resolutions, educational supports, inquiries, investigations, and alternative dispute resolution processes in collaboration with the appropriate administrative office at UBC. Collaborates with, and provides guidance and support to academic and administrative leadership in addressing issues of learner mistreatment, breaches of professionalism standards and/or the respectful environment statement. Oversees data collection and analyses related to reports of concern for these issues, ensuring the reporting procedures are fair and inclusive.

Works with partners to establish terms of reference for external investigators and alternative resolution processes in collaboration with the appropriate administrative offices at UBC. Engages, where necessary, with UBC decision makers, health authority representatives, or other governing bodies regarding decisions or actions resulting from an investigative report, and provides required support. Oversees compliance against accreditation standards on safe learning and working environments, Faculty of Medicine and UBC policies and procedures in response to acts of retaliation, including with external partner institutions where necessary.

Advocates for consideration of human resource issues in all Faculty of Medicine initiatives to promote a people-focused culture and ensure that initiatives are aligned with the Faculty's values and strategic direction, UBC's strategic plan and Focus on People initiatives. Oversees the team that manages the recruitment of Faculty of Medicine senior leaders and external reviews of over 50 academic units, providing leadership and advice to the Dean and Vice Deans. Leads the development of best practices for all aspects of the portfolio to improve efficiencies and streamline processes continuously.

Leads a team of management and support staff, providing mentorship, coaching, feedback and developmental opportunities to build capacity. Continuously assesses the workload and flow to best support processes and practices within the team and across the Faculty of Medicine to achieve optimal organizational efficiencies and effectiveness. Oversees the development and offering of orientation and onboarding opportunities for new senior faculty leaders, including Department Heads, School Directors, Associate Deans, and Vice Deans, to ensure that they are fully prepared for their roles.

Develops organizational structures; forecasts, develops, plans and analyzes resource requirements and ensures that appropriate resources are in place for achieving the desired outcomes of initiatives and projects within the portfolio. Fosters strategic relationships with key individuals across the Faculty of Medicine, UBC, partner universities, provincial health authorities, and other relevant institutions to enhance collaboration and fosters a coordinated approach to HR matters and initiatives.

As a senior leader within the Faculty of Medicine, operating with a high degree of independence and responsibility, the Director must exercise superior judgment in all areas and at all times. Errors could result in significant concerns regarding the liability, credibility and integrity of the Faculty and University and may result in an additional financial burden for the Faculty and/or University.

Failure to provide necessary services would impact the Faculty and University's relations with faculty, staff, students and external suppliers. The incumbent must work independently and largely outside of defined terms of reference and draw from knowledge of University and Faculty of Medicine policies and practices in recommending courses of action. Reports to the Vice Dean, Academic Affairs, with a dotted line to the Managing Director, Operations and works independently, under broad directions. The role collaborates with members of the Faculty of Medicine executive team, academic leadership, senior administrative staff, and faculty and staff across UBC and at our partner institutions.

The role also has a dotted line report to the Executive Director, Advisory Partnerships and Professional Standards, VPHR, for a university-wide HR strategic partnership established between Central HR Advisory Services and the Office of the Dean, Faculty of Medicine.

The Director, Human Resources, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Medicine leads a large team of primarily management and professional staff. Provides day-to-day direction to a shared Executive Assistant. Sets broad direction and has indirect management responsibility for human resource functions within departments, schools and centres.

Minimum Qualifications: Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of ten to twelve years of related experience including at least five years of managerial 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: Demonstrated success in leading human resources teams and creating innovative human resources programs. Experience in a large multi-functional, complex unionized organization, such as higher education or health care, preferred. Thorough knowledge of current human resources management practices, specifically in organizational development and leading and developing teams. Knowledge of provincial and federal legislation governing employers. Knowledge of the University's human resources and financial policies, procedures and systems preferred. Effective and proven abilities in the areas of leadership development, strategic planning, presentation, organizational and negotiation skills are required. Outstanding communication and problem-solving skills, including listening, facilitating, coaching, reflecting and resolving conflicts. Demonstrated ability to think critically and strategically, and from an organizational perspective, and to translate ideas into practical, implementable solutions appropriate to the portfolio context. Strong organizational and management skills to effectively set priorities and manage multiple initiatives and projects concurrently and within deadlines. Proven ability to lead, direct and inspire teams, committees and individuals with diverse, individualized skills and personalities and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management, staff and unions. Confident, resourceful and results-driven, and willing to take risks with the ability to navigate complex requirements and deliver solutions for multiple constituencies. Ability to assess, shape, lead, and support strategic change in a large, complex, multi-union organization. A proactive and adaptable leader who is comfortable with ambiguity and able to lead and navigate change effectively. Ability to foster the long-term learning and development of staff through coaching, performance development and mentoring. Effectively manages budget and staff resources. Ability to exercise tact, discretion and sound judgment at all times.