AVP, Student Housing and Community Services

ExecutiveJob CategorySenior ExecutiveJob ProfileAssociate Vice PresidentJob TitleAVP, Student Housing and Community ServicesDepartmentLeadership | VP StudentsCompensation RangeSee details below.Posting End DateNovember 27, 2025

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

Job End Date

Ongoing

The expected pay range for this position is $225,000 – $275,000/year.

The position is expected to be performed primarily in person to support on-site operations and collaboration. Limited remote work may be possible on occasion, in alignment with departmental guidelines and operational priorities.

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 Associate Vice-President, Student Housing and Community Services (AVP, SHCS) supports the Vice President, Students (VPS) portfolio by providing leadership, vision and direction to the revenue-generating functions within the portfolio. The AVP, SHCS contemplates business and financial solutions across the portfolio.

VPS units under the direction of the AVP, SHCS include operational functions on both the UBC Okanagan and Vancouver campuses:

· Student Housing – over 16,000 beds, largest university operated student housing in Canada

· Food Services – residence dining, franchise and in-house retail operations vending and catering services

· Conferences and Accommodations –230 year-round hotel units and full-service summer conference business

· Bookstore – 3 sites

· Parking Services – 11,050 parking spaces (6,550 within 6 parking structures, 4,500 on street and grade level lots)

· Campus Mail – non-ancillary (centrally funded) internal mail and parcel distribution service

· Child Care – largest university operated child care services in North America with over 900 spaces on both campuses

This position oversees a total annual ancillary operating budget of approximately $335 million (fiscal 25/26), the renewal and renovation of over 418,000 square metres of buildings on more than 85 acres of land with an asset value of $1.9 billion.

Organizational Status
The AVP, SHCS reports directly to the Vice-President, Students. The role works closely with unit directors and managers of the VPS portfolio and other senior administrators across the institution. Work activities relate closely to the Vice-Presidents, Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Principal - UBC Okanagan, Associate Vice-Presidents, Deans, Unit Heads, Faculty Administrators, School Administrators, and UBC Properties Trust.

Work Performed

Strategic Planning for the Student Housing and Community Services Portfolio
Within the context of the University's strategic plans and frameworks, the AVP SHCS works with unit leaders and key stakeholder groups to advance these strategic plans and frameworks. In collaboration with the VPS, the AVP, SHCS will set out objectives for the Student Housing and Community Service units, identify potential barriers to achieving stated objectives, contemplate portfolio-wide financial challenges and solutions, and establish short, medium and long-term objectives. The Strategic Plan will clearly articulate the service orientation of the units within the portfolio.

The AVP, SHCS reports progress on objectives established in the Strategic Plan to senior executives, explains variances, and recommends appropriate modifications to achieve objectives.

Staff Leadership and Management
Develops and maintains an organizational structure and management team that services the University's need for Student Housing, Food Services, Conferences and Accommodations, Bookstore, Parking, Child Care Services and Campus Mail. Determines the roles and responsibilities of the staff within the units, as they relate to the accomplishment of specific objectives set forth.

The management team is accountable for the day-to-day productivity of revenue-generating departments within the VPS portfolio. The AVP, SHCS ensures that activities are consistent with the mission, philosophy and goals of the University and the VPS portfolio. Close adherence to University and government policies are of the highest importance. In so doing, the AVP, SHCS will take a hands-on approach to ensuring members of the unit are appropriately trained and informed of current policies and procedures.

Ensures a high quality of personnel in the Department through effective selection, review, promotion and retention programs. Implements creative solutions to personnel practices and procedures to improve employee productivity and wellness.

Responsible for the safety and health functions and building code compliance within the portfolio and for ensuring adherence to university and departmental health and safety policies and procedures in the workplace.

Creates and promotes an outstanding workplace culture where all employees are motivated to contribute fully to the realization of the stated mission, vision, goals and objectives.

Encourages employees to identify innovative approaches to enhance organizational performance.

Fosters the development of management practices that focus on continuous improvement in the relationships with customers.

With the Human Resources Director, ensures the establishment of a full range of human resource policies, programs and services, including those related to training and organizational development, so that a highly productive, learning environment exists.
 

Service Quality, Innovation and Trends
Ensures the provision of timely and effective support to the campus community.

Maintains a strong service orientation in the portfolio by ensuring that open and effective two-way communications exist between Student Housing and Community Services and affected parties including students, their parents, staff, faculty, administration, UBC Board of Governors and visitors / external clientele to UBC.

Ensures effective client surveys are in place to evaluate the services provided. Upon analysis of the evaluation information from the client surveys, takes corrective action to improve on performance.

Remains abreast of industry trends and technology to best meet the needs of the campus community in a financially viable manner through a mindset of continual improvement, innovation and entrepreneurialism.  

Keeps abreast of information as it relates to the operation of all Student Housing and Community Services units including service trends, technology, business models, construction, building, sustainable development, and public sector management.

Identifies new and innovative approaches that could be implemented at the University of British Columbia through a mindset of continual improvement and  entrepreneurship.

Risk Management
Supports and participates in the development of University policies and programs related to health and safety, environmental management, emergency planning and business continuity.

Builds a strong safety and risk management culture within the Student Housing and Community Services portfolio, providing the necessary resource allocation and staff training to ensure the on-going effectiveness of safety, environmental management and emergency planning programs.

Ensures that risks related to capital projects and facilities operations are properly identified, assessed and managed through risk assessments and risk registers.

Sustainability

Ensures that sustainability and life-cycle cost criteria are factored into decision-making processes for capital projects and operational planning.

Leads and encourages the participation of the Student Housing & Community Services portfolio in opportunities to utilize campus facilities for learning and research in sustainability.

Keeps abreast of the latest practices, processes and technologies related to sustainability. Identifies new and innovative approaches that could be implemented at the University of British Columbia.

Administrative Processes
Ensures the establishment and maintenance of systems and procedures to facilitate the development and control of budgets related to the provision of services to the University. Ensures the continual review of the need for more sophisticated management information.

Finance and Business Management
Ensures the revenue-generating business units are managed and operated in a way that achieves the organization s on-going strategic objectives including an underlying self-supporting mandate incorporating a financial contribution in support of student, community, and University Strategic Plan objectives. Ensures the non-self-supporting service units are managed in a fiscally responsible manner within their available funding. Establishes an overarching strategy to ensure the prudent long-term fiscal management of capital and operating assets.

Internal Relationships
The AVP, SHCS is responsible for developing strong relationships across the University with Vice-Presidents, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Principal - UBC Okanagan, Associate Vice-Presidents, Deans, Unit Heads, Faculty Administrators, School Administrators, and UBC Properties Trust. As requested, sits as a member of University committees and task forces and carries out specific higher-level functions on behalf of UBC. Represents the portfolio and/or the University in its relations with both external and internal organizations, government representatives, associations, departments, agencies and committees as required and handles escalated problems or complaints. Makes presentations/recommendations to the University Administration and/or Board of Governors regarding issues relating to units within Student Housing and Community Services.

External Relations
Develops and maintains effective relationships with government representatives, officials of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, the City of Vancouver, Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Coastal Health, and other institutions and organizations with an interest in furthering the interest of units within Student Housing and Community Services.  As needed, represents UBC with media inquiries related to SHCS services and operations.

Equity & Inclusion Leadership
Recognizes and addresses personal and institutional assumptions and behaviours that create barriers to inclusion. Works in a collaborative and inclusive manner, fostering equitable experiences and a respectful environment for all staff and key stakeholders. Builds, manages and maintains high-quality and productive relationships across professional and cultural differences. Effectively communicates and interacts with empathy, understanding and with respect of diverse and divergent perspectives and behaviours.
 

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The AVP, SHCS position is critical to the success of the University in that it is responsible for the delivery of housing, hospitality, retail and support services as well as the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renewal and renovation of facilities and grounds within the portfolio's purview.

The AVP, SHCS must apply judgment, tact and discretion due to the broad and extensive implications for the success of the portfolio in the areas of strategic, operational, financial, human resources and risk management. The total replacement value for Student Housing and Community Services facilities and physical infrastructure is over $1.9 billion. The total annual operating budget for Student Housing and Community Services units is $335 million (fiscal 25/26).

Decisions of the AVP, SHCS impact the operations and reputation of the University. The consequence of poor decisions could result in adverse health, safety and wellbeing impacts of the entire campus community, significant reputational issues, legal consequences, human resource consequences and economic hardship for the institution.

Supervision Received
Reports directly to the Vice-President, Students. Under broad direction, works independently, exercising considerable judgment and initiative in the development and implementation of strategies and initiatives, and in addressing complex matters. Keeps the Vice-President, Students informed of actions through reports and discussions.

Supervision Given
Manages nine Operating and Support Service  Directors and one Administration Manager within Student Housing and Community Services.  Also works closely with and on occasion provides direction to the Human Resource and Financial Directors within the Vice President Students portfolio.

Qualifications
Minimum of 15 years senior management experience in core areas of responsibility, ideally in large, public sector organizations or the equivalent combination of education and experience. A Masters degree is preferred. Senior business and administrative management experience required. Demonstrated understanding of the higher education system. Experience in preparing and presenting information at the Board and Executive level to assist in decision-making. Ability to foster a respectful work environment. Ability to work successfully with internal and external partners and stakeholder groups to implement campus scale projects and initiatives. Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking and organizational abilities. Ability to manage risk and uncertainty, assess needs, set priorities, respond effectively to changes and to meet deadlines. Strong communication skills to effectively represent issues and options to the campus community. Strong interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.  Ability to exercise tact and discretion. Ability to make decisions under time constraints. Mature judgment. Sound knowledge of accounting practices and computer applications and systems. 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.

---