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.

Learn about the VPFO Strategic Plan

News from the VPFO

  • New 12 MW biomass boiler arrives on campus

    As part of the Bioenergy facility expansion, the anticipated 12 MW biomass fueled hot water combustion boiler arrived on campus at the Bioenergy Research Demonstration Facility (BRDF), and was craned into place for the next phase of the boiler placement.

    Read more: New 12 MW biomass boiler arrives on campus

  • UBC to establish new downtown Kelowna presence

    UBC will be establishing a new university presence in downtown Kelowna with plans to build a mixed-use building at the former Daily Courier location at 550 Doyle Avenue. The development will feature community-facing academic space, office space and university rental…

    Read more: UBC to establish new downtown Kelowna presence

  • Join Peter Smailes and the IRP leadership for an update on Workday

    Open to all UBC faculty and staff, this call in will share the latest updates on Workday as we countdown to implementation in November 2020. Peter and other IRP leaders will address the community on the benefits of Workday, the improvements…

    Read more: Join Peter Smailes and the IRP leadership for an update on Workday

  • Questions Relating to Working from Home

    The university’s Finance and Human Resources teams have received a variety of questions relating to working from home, and this information has been prepared to provide guidance on some of these items.

    Read more: Questions Relating to Working from Home

  • Continuation of Spreadsheet-Based Hourly Payroll Process

    With the onset of measures relating to COVID-19 in March this year, UBC’s Payroll team quickly pivoted from a paper timesheet-based system to a spreadsheet-based process for the payment of hourly employees. Please note the process has been extended.

    Read more: Continuation of Spreadsheet-Based Hourly Payroll Process

People of the VPFO