Our Strategic Plan
Our plan & our people
The VPFO is made up of diverse individuals doing important work to support the university. Join us as we spotlight champions of our strategic plan and how they drive UBC forward.
Jen Sheel, Director, Municipal Services: Creating inclusive spaces beyond the public realm
Jen takes pride in what her team does... and it shows. When you meet Jen Sheel, one of the first things you see is her dedication to making UBC a place that invites and builds connections.
In this Q&A, Jen shares how she delivers the best for UBC in the multiple roles she plays — a leader, a team player, a visitor on the Coast Salish Territory — through VPFO's strategic directions and values.
Read more about how Jen and her team connect to the VPFO strategic plan.
Review our plan on Envisio
Log into Envisio to find the latest progress on our strategic plan.
Operations updates
Building Operations, Custodial Services, Customer Services & Informatics, Energy & Water Services, Infrastructure Development, and Municipal Service
- Thunderbird Boulevard closure: The eastbound and westbound lanes between the Thunderbird Parkade access and Health Sciences Mall/East Mall will be closed from Oct 31 to Nov 3 noon. The westbound lane of Thunderbird Boulevard will remain closed between Thunderbird Parkade and Health Sciences Mall until Dec. Leran more
- Facilities Service Centre extends operating hours: With two recent additions to the Customer Services and Informatics team, the Service Centre will be extending its hours to 7:30 am - 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday, as of November 1, 2022. Learn more
- Electrical power at UBC: Facilities and Safety & Risk Services recently updated information on electrical power at UBC to inform and remind faculty and staff to annually review departmental continuity plans. This includes information and guidance on preparing and planning for shut downs or unexpected power outages to help reduce risk to infrastructure, equipment, and research. Learn more.
- Great Trek 100th Anniversary + Time Capsule: On October 28, UBC celebrated the 100th anniversary of the trek at the Great Trek cairn/time capsule on Mail Mall. The 50th Anniversary time capsule was also opened following the ceremony and sealing a new capsule. Thank you to all our teams in Facilities for supporting and preparing for this event. Learn more
Comptroller, Finance & Operational Excellence and Treasury
- New workshop: Everything you need to know about expense reimbursement at UBC: UBC Financial Operations is pleased to introduce its new online facilitated workshop, Reimbursing Expenses – “Carpe Per Diem” to help faculty and staff gain a better understanding of expense reimbursement requirements. Learn more
- UBC Investment Management releases 2022 Annual Report: The 2022 Annual Report focuses on operating and financial results and highlights the organization’s progress in executing the first year of a three-year transformation plan. Review the report
- Claiming Unidentified Wire Transfers and Direct Deposits: Please check through the list of unidentified payments (updated as of Oct 27) to see if any payments belong to your department.
Communications & Engagement, Human Resources, and Safety & Risk Services
- New look & feel of the VPFO Strategic plan webpages: Communications & Engagement recently refreshed the VPFO strategic plan webpages with a new look & feel. Visit vpfo.ubc.ca/strategy to learn about our strategic directions, mission and values, and how they connect with you and your team members' work.
- Photos from Security Awareness Week: Last week, Campus Security hosted Security Awareness Week to educate students, faculty and staff on theft prevention and security tips. Photos from the event are now available on the VPFO Flickr.
People of the VPFO
At the VPFO, we love celebrating success! Join us every week in recognizing the great work our VPFO team members are doing to support the university.
VPFO
Finance & Operational Excellence
- Shirlett Hall-Edward, Business Data Analyst – Shout out to Shirlett for her excellent presentation on Uniforum information to senior leaders at UBC. Your presentation drove great discussions and engagement. Thank you for representing Operational Excellence in delivering a great service of data analysis. Keep up the good work!
- Bhargavi Raghavendran, Service Centre Representative – Thank you Bhargavi for living our values in showing how much you care with your service and support of our UBC community. Your demonstration of empathy and compassion is a reflection of you being a champion of our commitment to Service Excellence as part of our ISC Team.
Well done! Want to give someone a shout out in the next edition? Submit your kudos in your local recognition program or email communications@vpfo.ubc.ca
- Today is Interim Vice-President Finance, Karamjeet Heer's last day at UBC. Thank you for your leadership, Karamjeet, and all the best in your new role as Associate Vice-President, Finance, at SFU!
- Mark Stacey and Marie Cummings join Facilities' Customer Services and Informatics as Service Centre Coordinators.
- Boris Gunn has joined the ISC as a Functional Support Analyst.
Read more about our people on the VPFO website.
All positions at UBC are available on the UBC HR Careers website, or through the career application in your Workday account. Please note that applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to the posting end date. The following VPFO positions are currently open:
- Labourer 2 (Seasonal)-1 (JR10120) – 11/3/2022
- Trades 2 - Steamfitter / Pipefitter (JR7935) – 11/8/2022
- Oper/Drvr-Heavy Equip (JR8236) – 11/8/2022
- Manager, Treasury Contracts & Real Estate (JR10194) – 11/9/2022
- Customer Payment & Revenue Clerk (JR10256) – 11/9/2022
- Financial Analyst (JR10154) – 11/10/2022
- Payroll Operations Support Specialist (JR8939) – 11/11/2022
- Millwright (JR10231) – 11/11/2022
- Safety Advisor - Scientific Diving (JR10156) – 11/14/2022
Don't forget to apply as an internal candidate! Please review the Apply for an Internal Job Posting guide in the Workday Knowledge Base for instructions on how to apply. Reminder to attach a copy of your resume when you apply for a career opportunity in Workday.
Congratulations to the winners of Safety & Risk Services' United Way Campaign
Safety & Risk Services teams competed against each other for the title of best Disney-themed pumpkin carver last week for a good cause.
Access team won first place with their submission of Scully from Monster Inc, and Privacy and Information Security Management (PrISM) placed second with their blood-hungry vampire Mickey Mouse pumpkin. Congrats to both teams!
Food Hub Market re-opens in CIRS
The soft re-opening of the Food Hub Market was last Wednesday on the main floor of CIRS! The Food Hub Market is a student-led UBC grocery offering at-cost foods in a welcoming community space. Staff and Faculty are welcome.
- When: Starting this Wednesday, Oct. 26, the Food Hub Market will be open Monday-Thursday from 10:30 am-6:30 pm
- Where: Main floor of CIRS in the old Loop Cafe
- Who: All are welcome!
- Questions: Please email Kaitlin Wu at community.foodhub@ubc.ca
- Learn more: foodhub.ubc.ca/market/
Anti-Racism and Solidarity in University Settings – Nov 10, 2022
The Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT) is hosting a workshop that explores key concepts related to race, racism and systems of oppression, and explores anti-racist practices through a lens of solidarity and allyship in university settings.
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
- Gain a richer understanding of key anti-racist concepts, literature, and resources
- Reflect on your role as an educator in the university
- Explore how to embed anti-racist practices in your context
Register and learn more
Mission to Launch: Workday Student Explained (Video)
Workday Student will be the anchor for UBC’s renewed Student Information System. This 3-minute animated video will introduce you to the launch of Workday Student and the new systems benefits for our community.
Watch now: irp.ubc.ca/#animated-video
Some interesting news articles our team members have found informative, helpful, or fun! These are provided for information and entertainment only. Unless noted, UBC doesn’t specifically endorse or supply this content.
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Bestselling author and talent expert Marcus Buckingham breaks down the research behind how to succeed at work. 3 simple things you can do right now to win at work.
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Check out these spooktacular Halloween displays in Metro Vancouver. They're eerie and scary and many raise funds for a good cause. Learn more
HR has collected mental health resources to help you manage your ups and downs. To view workshops, webinars and events visit the HR event listing.
Our VPFO HR staff is always available for a confidential conversation. Refer to this service map to connect with the HR Advisor supporting your area.
Access the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) confidential services, through LifeWorks, by calling 1-866-424-0770.
