Partnership Development Specialist

Job TitlePartnership Development Specialist
Job CategoryM&P - AAPS
Job ProfileAAPS Salaried - Business Development, Level B
Job Family GroupStaff - Non Union
DepartmentUBCO | Innovation UBC | Vice Principal Research Office
Compensation Range$7,158.42 - $10,292.25 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.
Job End Date
Ongoing
Posting End DateOctober 28, 2026
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
This position will be filled internally. It is posted for informational purposes only.
Job Description
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
UBC is committed to working with partners to address priority issues in British Columbia and beyond. We work closely with our partners to ensure that these are well conceived, managed and evaluated from all perspectives. Translating research into societal impact requires deep and long-term relationships with external organizations and communities. The Partnership Development Specialist supports the Innovation Director in building and delivering on these outcomes.
As part of the Innovation team and Innovation UBC within the UBC Okanagan Office of the Vice-Principal Research & Innovation (OVPRI), the Partnership Development Specialist has an important role in broad operations on the innovation team and in developing and facilitating institutional industry and community partnerships, including responsibility for the collection of metrics and data relating to engagement and innovation. The position will also work closely with the Innovation UBC team in Vancouver.
One of role’s primary assignment is staffing the UBC Okanagan – City of Kelowna Collaborative Research Alliance Fund. The Research Alliance Fund leverages expertise and resources of UBC Okanagan, the City of Kelowna, and potentially third-party organizations to advance research and innovation in areas that align with one or more City of Kelowna Council and Corporate priorities. This role provides project management and relationship support to UBC researchers and City staff for new and ongoing research projects under the terms of the Research Alliance Fund. Working with their City of Kelowna counterpart, this position is responsible for planning, managing and communicating the Research Alliance Fund application and review processes, and facilitating connections to support development of collaborative research applications involving the City of Kelowna staff, UBC Okanagan researchers and external partners. There is scope for growth with this Alliance to potentially extend beyond the City of Kelowna.
Organizational Status
Under the Office of Vice Principal Research & Innovation UBC Okanagan’s Innovation portfolio, and reporting directly to the Director, Innovation this position provides operational support for the broader innovation portfolio to facilitate success for partnerships between UBC and external partners. The Partnership Development Specialist fulfils the duties of Relationship Manager for UBC Okanagan under the terms of the Research Alliance Fund and works closely with the City of Kelowna Relationship Manager counterpart. This position reports to the Director, Innovation in the latter’s capacity as UBC Partnership Lead for Research Alliance Fund. The position also liaises with other research support services as needed to fulfil duties of the role and with UBC Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation, or their delegate, who Chair the Joint Adjudication Group for the Research Alliance Fund.
Work Performed
Partnership Management
Program management of existing projects (e.g., Research Alliance) which may include project check-ins and follow-ups, progress tracking, financial monitoring, relationship management and updates, grant and MITACs support, following established OVPRI and UBC Okanagan processes and procedures.
Support for formal, strategic partner relationships which may include development and coordination of EOI’s, Calls for Proposals, including oversight of the terms, forms, communications, adjudication process, and notification of results.
Provide support to research faculty in connecting, engaging and working with external partners and funding agencies under direction from the Director, Innovation, including post-award partner relationship management support.
Identifies partner-driven funding opportunities for individual and team research funding with partners in line with the mandate of identified partnerships and strategic priorities for Departments, Faculties and UBC Okanagan, coordinates with Research Services on tri-council opportunities.
Supports faculty in pursuing opportunities for research funding to support success in partner relationships.
Coordinates with respective OVPRI teams to provide strategic advice regarding external funding agency policies and procedures, intellectual property, confidentiality, budgets and overhead recovery.
Where no existing point of contact exists within the OVPRI, liaises with funding agencies as directed to manage inquiries and ensure applications meet sponsor requirements and UBC policies; communicates requirements and changes to faculty.
Works to understand the research capacity and capabilities of the UBC Okanagan campus and identify collaboration and research partnership opportunities.
Responsible for organization and logistic support for meetings and events that support partnership development.
Creates metrics from multiple data sources to analyze and report on partner engagement and relevant funding opportunities to support key performance indicators.
Develops high-quality materials (e.g., annual summaries, PowerPoint presentations, etc.) for presentation and submission to internal stakeholders and external partners (e.g., reporting to Kelowna City Council and UBC Okanagan executives).
Innovation Portfolio Operations and Data
Supports in the development of assets to advance the innovation portfolio on UBC Okanagan campus including process documentation, handbooks, etc.
Collaborates with the Partnerships Team of Innovation UBC on programs and specific partnerships.
Maintains database for tracking partnerships, opport