Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm Assistant Director, Operations Job Vacancy in Canada

tory”, the Centre strives to explore
and exemplify new globally significant paradigms for the design and
function of sustainable communities and their ecological support
systems. http://www.ubcfarm.ubc.ca

UBC Farm has experienced rapid growth over the last decade and is in
the midst of an exciting time as it prepares for a new multi-million
dollar building on site and new academic leadership. The Assistant
Director, Operations is responsible for overseeing all aspects of
daily operations and business development initiatives at the Centre
for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm, with the overarching goal to
maintain organizational effectiveness and achieve financial
sustainability. The responsibilities include oversight over short-term
and long-term plans via efficient and responsible management of the
Centre’s financial, human and physical resources.

The Assistant Director, Operations supports the Centre’s Director
(Faculty member) in the implementation of the UBC Farm’s strategic
plan, Cultivating Place, and works closely with the Centre’s Academic
Programs Manager to smoothly integrate teaching and research
activities into the Centre’s community and food production programs.
The Assistant Director, Operations oversees the business aspects of
the Centre, identifying new business opportunities and developing new
programs consistent with Cultivating Place.

Working Relationships

Reports to the CSFS Director. Works closely with the Academic Programs
Manager, the Dean of Land and Food Systems, and other senior faculty
and staff. Works with UBC executive, academic, and operational units
to support pursuit of new business and program opportunities and
implementation of University policies.

Centre staff: Manages 6-8 full-time employees; oversees recruitment
and management of up to 25 seasonal employees. Leads operations
committee of core staff in day-to-day site and project management.

Steering Committee: Represents CSFS staff and business operations to
internal governing committee comprised of UBC faculty associates and
student representatives.

Work Performed
• Assists the Director with the strategic financial planning for the
Centre – developing and implementing short, mid and long-range
strategic business plans with the overall objective of making the
Centre financially self-sufficient.
• Responsible for overall financial management of the Centre –
effective stewardship of a $1 million annual operating budget;
developing, monitoring and controlling annual balanced budgets;
managing expenditures and evaluating financial activities and
objectives; oversees all aspects of accounts payable and receivable,
cash management, and internal financial controls.
• Oversees business development and operations – identifying and
implementing new enterprises and opportunities to increase revenues
for the Centre, and creating sustainable business models to develop
and generate ongoing project and program funding while managing
current fee-for-service programs and social enterprises (workshops,
children’s programs, private events, etc.);
• Initiates, cultivates and maintains intra-UBC and external
partnerships in order to secure financial and operational investment
into the Centre through business/project development and revenue
generating opportunities, assisting with donor-based fundraising when
needed.
• Determines, develops and executes sub-plans that support strategic
planning. Sub-plans may include land use and physical plans, the
development of new income generating initiatives and the application
of cost-saving measures (e.g. maximizing on wage subsidy programs),
strategic communications and marketing plans (in order to increase
awareness, exposure and perception), ongoing development of unit-level
policies and procedures, and short-term service delivery plans.
• Responsible for human resources strategic planning and
implementation such as the development and execution of organizational
changes (including policies, procedures and systems) to meet the
evolving initiatives, operations and needs of the Centre while
following established University policies and procedures.
• Develops staff job descriptions, recruits, hires, trains, evaluates,
supervises, disciplines and terminates all staff and students while
adhering to established University policies and procedures such as
effective performance management, development of work plans, metrics
of success and goal-setting.
• Provides leadership to teams of staff, students and interns to meet
Centre goals; sets tone for overall work culture and motivates
employees; identifies and institutes initiatives to maintain positive
morale and improve employee development and retention.
• Oversees the day-to-day Centre operations, ensuring compliance with
UBC requirements related to administrative systems, processes,
protocols and safety as well as the development and implementation of
new policies to support day-to-day and long-term efficiency and
effectiveness. This includes managing a working farm operation to a
standard consistent with the sustainability principles identified in
Cultivating Place, and managing physical resources such as assessing
major expenditures, building maintenance and equipment.
• In collaboration with the Director and Academic Programs Manager,
helps manage any new capital projects or land use-planning
developments (e.g. the new Farm Centre building) and determines
design, funding and implementation of the projects.
• Oversees project management and special events for the Centre as needed.
• Oversees legal agreements such as MOUs and contracts with other UBC
departments and units, external suppliers, and third party site users.
• Represents UBC Farm at meetings and other public settings as
requested by the Director.
• Performs appropriate administrative duties in the absence of the Director.
• Performs other related duties as required

Exercising Judgment/Impact of Decisions

The Assistant Director, Operations will need to exercise sound
judgment over a wide range of issues, at times within a limited time
frame and with limited opportunity for consultation. The role requires
a high level of tact and discretion when dealing with both internal
(staff, faculty, students) and external (clients, general public)
stakeholders. Having a thorough understanding of the University’s
high-level policies and procedures is critical in this position. Poor
performance in this role could adversely affect the unit’s financial
status and the reputation of the Centre. Failure to effectively manage
staff could result in reduced effectiveness.

The financial status of the Centre is dependent on the ability to
secure new revenue streams though profitable enterprise development.
The Assistant Director, Operations must be able to effectively assess
the net benefits of different opportunities. The ability to define the
unit’s identity and focus is essential for the success of Cultivating
Place.

As the UBC Farm’s land-based operations involve animal care functions,
carrying out University-level legal agreements, heavy equipment
operation, and large-scale physical modification of field and forest
areas, the

Assistant Director, Operations’ understanding of current relevant
regulations at university, municipal, provincial, and federal levels
and industry best practices in a range of agricultural areas is
essential for the health and safety of all site users. Failure to act
on workplace safety, employment equity or confidentiality issues could
result in legal liability for the University.

Supervision Received

Works under the direction of the CSFS Director. Exercises a high level
of independent decision-making. Attends Faculty Core Team meetings and
keeps the Dean informed and up-to-date on business issues as needed.
Works closely in a collaborative environment with the Centre’s
Academic Programs Manager. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of
goals and objectives.

Supervision Given

Manages 6 – 8 permanent staff (direct reports) and responsible for
entire Centre team of staff and student workers (including the
recruitment and management of up to 25 seasonal employees).

Working Conditions

The UBC Farm’s current facilities do not include private offices. The
Assistant Director, Operations will be provided a small office in the
MacMillan building on campus, and this individual is expected to be
highly mobile and able to work effectively on or off-campus and to be
able to travel efficiently between UBC Farm and main campus. Much of
their time will be spent in meetings with collaborators and partners.
The Assistant Director, Operations will need to be prepared for
occasional evening and weekend work and occasional long hours. They
will be expected to budget, schedule, and track their work time
accordingly to achieve an appropriate work-life balance.

Minimum Qualifications & Skills

Education & Experience:
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (organizational
management; applied land management; business administration).
Master’s degree in a relevant discipline preferred.
• Minimum five years of relevant complex multi-project,
multi-stakeholder organizational or business management experience,
with at least two years of business analysis or project management; or
the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Business development and organizational management should include
previous experience supporting teams of diverse skills, personalities
and job types (union & non-union); sound financial management in both
grant-funded and for-profit enterprises; revenue generation; and
operational management skills including working with land and
facilities.
• Previous experience developing and managing a significant operation
within a social enterprise, non-profit, corporate, public sector or
academic context.
• Must have a strong track record of securing funds for organizational
growth through any combination of business planning and social
enterprise development, effective grant writing/reporting and project
proposals and donor-based strategies.

Skills:
• Demonstrated collaborative leadership and management skills with a
strong track record for supporting a dynamic and creative team
including managing staff work flow and performance by establishing
standards and goals, evaluating performance, providing feedback and
taking corrective action as needed.
• Must have proven management experience including managing staff work
flow and performance by establishing standards and goals, evaluating
performance, providing feedback and taking corrective action as
needed.
• Understanding of and passion for food system and agricultural sustainability.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic business plans; ability
to effectively generate business opportunities.
• Proven strategic financial management skills; Ability to develop and
monitor budgets; ability to perform financial planning functions.
Ability to manage complex financial matters.
• Ability to conduct needs analyses, plan, organize, manage, monitor,
complete, and evaluate projects within allocated time and resources.
• Ability to identify, obtain, and effectively manage organizational
resources (e.g., people, materials, assets, budgets).
• Ability to coordinate and oversee work processes (e.g., multiple
programs and research projects).
• Ability to maintain connection between a long-range vision and
day-to-day functions.
• Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures
• Demonstrated collaborative leadership skills with a strong track
record for supporting a dynamic and creative team.
• Ability to effectively recruit, train, supervise, and motivate employees.
• Knowledge of HR practices and systems; ability to foster the
long-term learning and development of staff through coaching,
performance management and mentoring; ability to lead by example.
• Ability to develop and deliver effective presentations and workshops.
• Ability to prepare effective grant and project applications and/or
proposals and reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Able to
effectively facilitate and chair meetings, prepare proposals, reports,
agreements and articles for a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team environment
• Ability to approach interactions with awareness of sensitive issues
(e.g., issues concerning specific cultures).
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities and work
positively and effectively under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Must be able to take initiative and exercise judgment.
• Excellent organizational and attention to detail skills.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiating skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working
relationships; ability to effectively deal with difficult people. Must
have conflict resolutions skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of UBC’s organizational structures,
relationships, policies and procedures is an asset.
• Familiarity with Cultivating Place is an asset.
• Familiarity with the current social, ecological and economic issues
affecting food systems both locally and globally is an asset.
• This position will require an individual who is comfortable in an
atmosphere of ambiguity while systems, programs and projects are being
established and continually developed.

Position Details
• Desired start date: September 2014 (flexible)
• Status: Full-time, permanent ongoing
• Employment Group: Management & Professional (AAPS)
• Job Category: Business Development Level B
• $62,010.00 – $74,441.00 (Annual)

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted on-line via the UBC Human Resources website:
http://www.hr.ubc.ca/careers-postings/staff.php
• Please refer to Job ID# 18375 Assistant Director, Operations, UBC Farm.
• Closing date is midnight, Saturday June 14th, 2014.
• Inquiries can be sent to Amy Frye, UBC Farm Director, at
amy.frye@ubc.ca or Barb Hsiao, Land & Food Systems HR Director, at
barbara.hsiao@ubc.ca . Applications received via e-mail will not be
considered. Please no phone calls.
• Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

UBC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity
and diversity within its community. We especially welcome applications
from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons,
persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and
gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to
productively engage with diverse communities. All qualified candidates
are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents
will be given priority.