Welcome to the VP Finance & Operations portfolio


The nine divisions of the VPFO are responsible for the stewardship of UBC’s physical and financial assets, as well as safety and risk management for our university community.

We oversee a $3.98 billion budget, a $3.38 billion endowment, and all facilities on both campuses, as well as managing the university’s relationships with UBC Investment Management and UBC Properties Trust. In all the portfolio’s responsibilities, we are committed to the values of innovation, unity and accountability.

VPFO Strategic Plan 2024–2027

Having a strategic plan gives us a clear path, keeping everyone on the same page. Learn more about where we’re going next and how we plan to get there.

News from the VPFO

  • Basketball Court Relocation

    A development permit application has been received for an outdoor basketball court in the parking lot at Thunderbird Boulevard and Health Sciences Mall. This basketball court is intended as a replacement for the existing court on the future site of…

    Read more: Basketball Court Relocation
  • UBC breaks ground on $23 million renewable energy hub

    A new $23 million renewable energy hub will transform an entire city block at the University of British Columbia into a smart energy district, including the province’s first-ever hydrogen refuelling station for light- and heavy-duty vehicles. The energy hub will…

    Read more: UBC breaks ground on $23 million renewable energy hub
  • First Nations Longhouse Expansion

    A development permit application has been received for a one-storey 168 sq. m addition to the First Nations Longhouse. The addition will make use of the existing exposed post and beam log structure at the east side of the building.…

    Read more: First Nations Longhouse Expansion
  • Update on our strategic plan

    In November, I sent an update that highlighted our plan to begin a process of transformational change within the VPFO, following our strategic plan’s focus on renewal and optimization. As we start our new fiscal year, I want to share a…

    Read more: Update on our strategic plan
  • Dawn Irmscher joins UBC as Director of Payroll

    Dawn brings a wealth of experience in finance, operations, technical, and systems implementation to the university, and most recently served as the Director of Finance for the Sooke School District in Victoria, BC.

    Read more: Dawn Irmscher joins UBC as Director of Payroll

People of the VPFO

  • Jen Dick joins UBC Facilities’ Learning Spaces Team as Learning Space Planner

    Jen Dick joins UBC Facilities’ Learning Spaces Team as the Learning Space Planner. Jen comes to us from the Construction Office where she has served as a Project Coordinator, most recently completing the Buchanan A theatre flood remediation and Neville…

    Read more: Jen Dick joins UBC Facilities’ Learning Spaces Team as Learning Space Planner
  • Lance Xu joins Campus Security as Secure Access Technician

    Lance Xu joins Campus Security as a Secure Access Technician. Lance is a dedicated security access technician with a profound passion for the physical security industry. He joins us from Chubb Security and is currently attending BCIT and working towards…

    Read more: Lance Xu joins Campus Security as Secure Access Technician
  • Jenny Black joins UBC Facilities as Red Zone Facilities Manager

    Jenny joins UBC Facilities’ Customer Services & Informatics team from UBC Athletics & Recreation where she has been working for the past 9 years as a facility coordinator and facility manager. Buildings in her portfolio have included the War Memorial…

    Read more: Jenny Black joins UBC Facilities as Red Zone Facilities Manager
  • Jeannie Lee joins Facilities’ Energy & Water Services as Utilities Manager

    Jeannie brings in extensive, local knowledge in both private and public engineering sectors focuses on utilities planning, stormwater management, and climate change resilience. Prior to joining UBC, Jeannie was the Senior Engineer in the City of Vancouver, leading their Flood…

    Read more: Jeannie Lee joins Facilities’ Energy & Water Services as Utilities Manager
  • Steven Wong joins Comptroller’s Capital Financial Management & Reporting as Finance Manager in Project Accounting

    Steven will be working closely with Capital Planning & Development and Project Services, in Facilities, responsible for overseeing the financial aspects of Facilities projects. This includes project costing, funding, planning, and reporting to support the successful delivery of capital projects…

    Read more: Steven Wong joins Comptroller’s Capital Financial Management & Reporting as Finance Manager in Project Accounting