Manager Of Operations, Biodiversity Pathways And The BRAES Institute

Manager of Operations, Biodiversity Pathways and the BRAES Institute

This position provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure Biodiversity Pathways delivers on its mission of advancing biodiversity monitoring and research. Based within the Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Services (BRAES) at UBC Okanagan, this role oversees organizational operations, finances, and partnerships, while fostering innovation, collaboration, and accountability across business units. This position plays a key role in aligning resources with strategic priorities, strengthening relationships with governments, Indigenous Nations, academia, and industry, and positioning Biodiversity Pathways as a leader in biodiversity science and policy.

Management and Leadership

• Provides financial leadership, ensuring transparent reporting, accurate forecasting, and effective allocation of multi-million-dollar budgets to maximize impact across monitoring and research programs.
• Leads annual work planning, determining resource needs (fiscal, human, and infrastructure) and ensuring effective allocation and oversight.
• Facilitates a research review process, including communications for research projects.
• Establishes clear performance expectations with staff, other centres, and external partners, fostering a culture of accountability, excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Leads a diverse team of professional staff, including project managers, communications specialists, and administrative personnel.
• Champions equity, diversity, inclusion, and recognition of diverse ideas and contributions.
• Leads evaluation and closure of projects, capturing lessons learned to inform future initiatives.
• Liaises with the Vice Principal Research, Deans, and Institute Directors at delivery partner Universities to ensure any contract or Gift Agreement deliverables are met, that reporting occurs, and that connections between Biodiversity Pathways and Academic leadership is recognized.

Market Development and Growth

• Identifies and pursues opportunities to diversify and grow funding, including government, industry, and philanthropic sources.
• Builds awareness of Biodiversity Pathways' expertise and services among funders, collaborators, and policy-makers.
• Supports the development of proposals and partnerships that align with emerging needs in biodiversity monitoring, climate adaptation, and natural resource management.

Partnerships and Engagement

• Develops and maintains strong partnerships with researchers and institutions to advance the science of environmental monitoring.
• Leads strategic communications and engagement with key stakeholders, including UBC, the Government of British Columbia, Indigenous governments and organizations, the Government of Canada, the energy and forestry sectors, environmental NGOs, and partners across Canada.
• Strengthens and expands collaborations within UBC and with external research organizations.
• Ensures meaningful and respectful engagement with Indigenous partners, advancing shared priorities in biodiversity monitoring.

Strategic Vision and Representation

• Maintains and expands collaboration activities with academia, industry, government, and communities.
• Facilitates opportunities for academic participation in Biodiversity Pathways' programs and initiatives.
• Represents the organization at provincial, national, and international fora, strengthening its profile and influence.

Qualifications

• For research work, a post-graduate degree or equivalent professional designation with a minimum of four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Otherwise, an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline is required with a minimum of six years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Graduate degree (M.Sc. required; Ph.D. preferred) in Environmental Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Engineering, Computer Sciences, or a related discipline. Equivalent experience in senior leadership may be considered.
• Demonstrated progressive leadership experience managing biodiversity or environmental projects, including operations and organizational planning.
• Significant experience in biodiversity research, monitoring, or natural resource management.
• Proven success in securing, managing, and reporting on large budgets and funding resources.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and manage technical and scientific teams in a collaborative environment.
• Strong track record of building respectful and collaborative partnerships with Indigenous governments, organizations, or communities.
• Experience working across multi-partner, multi-stakeholder initiatives at provincial or national scale.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building skills.
• Experience with contract management and project delivery.
• Complete proficiency in English (written and spoken); additional languages an asset.