Executive Director, Government

Staff - Non UnionJob CategoryM&P - AAPSJob ProfileAAPS Salaried - Business Development, Level FJob TitleExecutive Director, Government & External Affairs – Faculty of ScienceDepartmentAdministrative Leadership | Dean's Office | Faculty of ScienceCompensation Range$10, $16,760.83 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 DateFebruary 1, 2026

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

Job End Date

March 31, 2031

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 Summary
The Executive Director (ED) provides critical leadership, advocacy and advice for the Faculty of Science's strategic relations with all levels of government and other high value external stakeholders. They will also lead the Faculty's involvement in campus-wide government, NGO and industrial relations strategies in collaboration with other campus leaders to promote and advance major Faculty of Science initiatives.

The ED leads the development and implementation of targeted advocacy plans, provides leadership and guidance to operationalizing effective government and external relations in the overall advancement of academic mission and priorities of the Faculty of Science. These priorities include advancing large capital projects, advocating for provincial seat funding for Science programs, forging major industrial collaboration pathways and research partnerships, and any other priority initiatives as they arise.

The initial priority of the ED will be to establish and exploit pathways for high-level advocacy at all levels of government, with an initial emphasis on highlighting and strengthening existing alignments between the Faculty's research and teaching mission with the Provincial and Federal Governments' evolving economic and social priorities. This will also require high-level engagement with industry leaders across the province's key economic sectors that are relevant to STEM education, research and innovation. At this time, priority areas include critical minerals, AI, defense, environment and climate change, quantum materials, and inter-Faculty initiatives.

Another priority will be to lead the advancement of a major new Science-led capital project (currently called 'Science Central') through the development and enhancement of the Faculty's relationship with all levels of government. As the university's new hub for interdisciplinary chemical sciences, Science Central will combine revitalized curriculum, advanced training, and a lab-to-market research ecosystem. It will be the epicenter for cutting-edge, challenge-oriented STEM education, research and industry engagement at UBC.

Organizational Status
Reports to the Dean of Science.  Works closely with all leaders within the Faculty of Science, senior University administration and with teams in portfolios across the UBC Vancouver campus including Campus and Community Planning, Development & Alumni Relations, Marketing & Communications, External and Government Relations when appropriate.

This position is a senior leader in the Office of the Dean of Science.  They lead the development and implementation of annual and long-term government relations plans for the Faculty.  They are responsible for ensuring that all the Dean's leadership team is aligned and aware of current and emergent external factors affecting issues of strategic and operational importance to the Faculty. 

Work Performed
Environmental scanning, opportunity and threat analysis

• Proactively monitors, analyzes and interprets government programs, legislation and activities and provides advice on the implications and opportunities for the Faculty of Science

• Conducts detailed environmental scans of issues relevant to the Faculty as it pertains to government activity and the post-secondary sector

• Maintains current, reliable knowledge and intelligence of shifting government priorities in order to adapt engagement strategies effectively. Maintains awareness of key relevant initiatives and strategies set out by all orders of government relevant to the Faculty of Science (e.g., Environment & Climate Change Canada, MITACS, ISED [e.g., National Quantum Strategy, Federal and Provincial Critical Minerals Strategies, Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy]).

• Advises and leads the writing of briefing notes, presentations and reports for the Dean and Dean's leadership team in advance of meetings with government officials or sector-wide meetings with government.

• Provides in-depth analysis through both written notes and formal briefings, along with recommendations on advocacy initiatives and emerging issues and opportunities.

Issues Management

• Evaluates emerging and longer-term opportunities and threats to the achievement of the Faculty's priorities and the critical success factors for the Faculty as they relate to the government

• Responds to and meets with a broad range of internal and external individuals and groups, frequently related to matters of immediate concern, and coordinates responses, solutions and follow-up with the Dean and other University constituents as appropriate

Host for high-value guests to campus and the region

• Creates and/or identifies opportunities for government officials to participate in the Faculty and opportunities for the Faculty to engage in government initiatives

• Identifies opportunities and leads the development of new collaborative initiatives with external partners that advance the Faculty's academic mission (e.g. research partnerships & contracts, MITACS and HQP recruitment, talent development, and new programming in support of the Science Central vision and mission).

• Leads government visits, Faculty tours and meetings

Leadership of government communications activities

• Develops high-level communications and briefing materials for dissemination to target audiences in collaboration with Faculty-level communications and other University units (e.g. External Relations, Development and Alumni Engagement, VP Research and Innovation)

• Provides leadership and advice on responses to inquiries from government officials, advocacy documents, proposals for funding and other initiatives as they arise

• Works with the Faculty-level communications on written materials in support of the Faculty's strategic goals

Relationship Development & Management

• Establishes and manages high-value relationships with government constituents (Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation; Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills; and other sector-specific Ministries) as they relate to the Faculty's research, innovation, education and workforce development mission. 

• Establishes and manages high-value relationships with industry and community organizations aligned with major government and Faculty research and training priorities

• Builds and maintains a network of government and influential relationships in Victoria and Ottawa including politicians, public service officials, high-level staffers and thought leaders

• Develops and nurtures strategic relationships with key post-secondary advocacy organizations (Universities Canada, U15) and colleagues at other institutions, which can be leveraged in advocacy or partnership opportunities

• Advances relationships in areas of key strategic importance including clean energy, biotechnology and health, environment, mining and critical minerals, directly engaging with critical faculty as appropriate, coordinating with other campus leaders where needed

• Develops positive relationships within the University and with its primary stakeholders, both internal and external, and identifies opportunities for internal collaboration and consultation with other faculties on government relations

• Develops and builds strong relationships and maintains a network with University colleagues involved with external relations

• Develops and maintains a strong cross-campus network of senior administration and advocacy professionals, providing visibility to Faculty-wide GR opportunities, and leveraging the support of campus advocacy channels

• Identifies and leads opportunities to advance the Faculty's image and reputation with targeted audiences including public and industry events, speaking opportunities, and consultations

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The role is responsible for handling potentially sensitive issues requiring strict confidentiality, judicious management of information and tactful decision-making. This position is integral to the Faculty's relationships with external organizations, and to its reputation internally and externally. In addition to a high level of tact and discretion, the incumbent must have a strong knowledge and understanding of the issues facing the post-secondary education sector broadly. Because this area is charged with building and maintaining relationships with organizations external to UBC Science, improper advice or actions could result in severe damage to the Faculty's ongoing external relations work, which could have reputational, financial and political repercussions.

Supervision Received
The position is independently responsible for day to day work, and receives strategic direction from the Dean of Science and Dean of Science leadership team.

Supervision Given
N/A.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of ten years of related experience with at least two years of experience in a senior management position involving strategic business planning, 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

• Graduate degree much preferred.

• A minimum of ten years related experience in advocacy and / or government relations and lobbying work, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong awareness of post-secondary issues and relevant external pressures, structures and initiatives

• Knowledge of capital projects and funding priorities

• Knowledge of Canadian innovation ecosystem, including issues around workforce and talent development intellectual property, R&D and commercialization

• Familiarity with the activities and culture of a major research university is desirable. Knowledge of UBC's organization, structure and personnel is an asset.

• General knowledge of operations of mass media.

• Developed interest in public affairs, public policy and the operations of different levels of government.

• This position may require travel within BC and internationally.

Leadership Skills

Proven track record leading and being agile as priorities evolve.

High personal resilience. Has the ability to establish a high level of rapport with senior and executive level leadership within and outside the university community, stakeholders and opinion leaders; utilize judgment and sensitivity in presenting issues; provides leadership and direction in determining appropriate courses of action. Ability to think strategically and possess intellectual curiosity. Ability to effectively manage sensitive or controversial issues. Exercises a high degree of diplomacy and discretion in all internal and external interactions. Understands the dynamics of ever-changing environment and can prioritize effectively. Is flexible and can manage changing priorities within a dynamic work environment. Possesses a highly independent working style with interest to engage early with issues and opportunities. Self-sufficient and self-motivated. Takes ownership of programs and tasks. Takes a proactive stance in solving problems and exhibits understanding and empathy, particularly when dealing with topics of public concern. Able to quickly grasp the scope of specific issues and the potential impacts on the organization.

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