Director, Research Development

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level D

Job Title

Director, Research Development

Department

Research Leadership | Office of Research, Education | Faculty of Education

Compensation Range

$9,320.17 - $14,537.58 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

July 18, 2026

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

Job End Date

October 23, 2026

This is a 3-month temporary leave replacement with the possibility of extension.

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 Description Summary

The Director, Research Development, leads the development and delivery of strategic research support services in the Faculty of Education under the general direction of the Associate Dean, Research (ADR). This position oversees the operations of the Office of Research in Education and the services of a research support team to ensure that the Faculty s research support needs are met effectively, efficiently and strategically. The position provides leadership in planning and implementing research support initiatives, plans, and processes to advance the Faculty of Education s strategic priorities and objectives. The position also provides leadership and advice on preparing grant applications and proposals and is responsible for initiating, implementing and overseeing ongoing initiatives for research skill development in the Faculty of Education.

Organizational Status

Reports to the ADR in the Faculty of Education. The position communicates directly with faculty, staff, graduate students and researchers affiliated with the Faculty of Education, and interacts with the Dean s Office, academic units in the Faculty, Office of Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE), Finance Office and the Faculty s communications team. The positions also communicates directly with research-related personnel affiliated with other Faculties and Schools as well as UBC s Office of Research Services (ORS), Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation (VPRI), Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic, SPARC, University Industry Liaison Office (UILO), Institutional Programs Office (IPO), and external research funding bodies.

Work Performed

Strategic Research Support Planning and Implementation:
1. In support of the ADR, designs, develops and implements strategic plans and services for supporting and advancing Faculty research
2. Provide direction for the research administration activities of the Faculty
3. Provides advice and recommendations to the ADR to further the Faculty s research priorities
4. Assesses and monitors Faculty s research support and grant writing needs; and recommends and develops services/programs to address those needs
5. Assesses and monitors resources (staff time, funds) dedicated to research-support services and recommends changes as Faculty priorities and needs evolve
6. Monitors and reports on indicators of funding success, research productivity, and the impact of support structures, initiatives and processes for Faculty and University leadership
7. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of national, international and institutional trends and developments in research funding and administration to identify potential Faculty needs and provide recommendations for support

Service Management:
1. Directs the day-to-day operations of the Office of Research to ensure alignment of allocation of resources with strategic goals and Faculty priorities and needs.
2. Manages all HR-related matters within the Office of Research in Education including identifying and assessing staffing needs, selecting, orienting, training, evaluating and terminating staff positions in ORE.
3. Manages and provides strategic research support for the Faculty s Research Centres.
4. Manages and provides research support to Faculty Chairs and Professorships in collaboration with Faculty of Education Development staff.
5. Oversees the Faculty s Research Infrastructure Support Services (RISS) program and internal research funding competitions.

Research Development and Grants Facilitation:
1. Conceptualizes, develops, implements, and manages a strategic plan for supporting research grant and research skill development for the Faculty.
2. Advises faculty members and the Faculty leadership team on the culture, priorities, eligibility criteria and requirements of internal and external funding sponsors.
3. Provides authoritative advice and information to faculty, Heads/Director, senior Faculty administrators and staff regarding the grant application and award process including institutional requirements.
4. Identifies new avenues of research funding that support faculty priority research areas, and facilitates the development of materials for foundation applications, donor proposals for research support, and stewardship reports in collaboration with Faculty of Education Development staff.
5. Manages the facilitation of competitive funding proposal preparation and development, ensuring compliance with sponsor and University requirements. Oversees the work of the Research Grants Facilitator and provides advice and guidance on complex application files.
6. Monitors research funding programs and opportunities of a broad range of sponsors, including Tri-Council agencies, foundations, government departments, and other public and private organizations, and communicates information about those programs and opportunities to Education researchers, including by proactively seeking and targeting individual investigators and research teams.
7. Establishes and maintains relationships with internal and external agency and research service personnel on behalf of the Faculty to establish and maintain current knowledge of the research funding landscape.

Research-Related Communication:
1. Oversees the development and content management of the Office of Research website.
2. Provides advice and information to the Faculty s communications staff to increase the visibility of Faculty research news and achievements for internal and external audiences.
3. Represents the Faculty of Education at University-level meetings of research support staff.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position plays a critical role in establishing effective research services within the Faculty of Education. Failure to support the grant proposal process within the guidelines of external funding agencies and University research policies and procedures can result in the subsequent rejection of Faculty grant applications, the return of awarded funds, the loss of future funds and/or the inability to collect funds owed to the University, the Faculty and individual researchers. Ineffective research services and loss of funding opportunities can impede faculty members research productivity and/or damage the reputation of the Faculty of Education. Failure to assess and communicate research excellence and impact can also undermine perceptions of the Faculty of Education s research enterprise and contribution.

Supervision Received

This position works with wide latitude under the general direction of the Associate Dean, Research. The position works from generally defined goals of the University and specifically designed goals established by the Faculty of Education.

Supervision Given

The position routinely supervises 3 full-time staff members (1 M&P and 2 CUPE2950) as well as graduate student assistants when applicable. The position also coordinates the work of staff across the Faculty to meet research support services needs efficiently and effectively.

Minimum Qualifications

- 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

Post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline. Post-graduate degree or equivalent professional designation if responsible for a research project or Undergraduate degree if not responsible for a research project.7 years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience if not responsible for a research project. 5 years experience in a field of specialization or equivalent combination of education and experience if responsible for a research project.Previous senior management experience related to supporting research services or project management/leadership in a post-secondary institution setting. Minimum five years of experience with applied knowledge and demonstrated skills in successful facilitating grant applications and research infrastructure administration. - Strong understanding of the language and culture of research communities and granting agencies;
- superior communication skills (oral and written) and excellent writing and copy editing skills;
- excellent knowledge of policies and procedures for granting agencies and foundations;
- excellent organizational, project management and time management skills;
- ability to adapt to changing priorities, multitasking and meeting deadlines;
- experience in using a wide variety of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database and internet applications essential;
- high degree of analytical accuracy, innovative thinking, judgment and the ability to work independently;
- demonstrated administrative and leadership skills;
- A broad knowledge of the University policies and procedures related to research administration and the University structure and operations.