The Alma Mater Society (AMS) is the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) student society, and works to improve the academic, social and personal lives of the 56,000 UBC students at its Vancouver campus. The AMS also runs nine food and beverage outlets, a catering and conference operation, and the AMS Student Nest, providing on-campus employment opportunities and generating revenue that goes directly back into supporting the students at UBC.

Position title: Associate Vice President, External Affairs
Reports to: Vice President, External Affairs
Supervises: Research and Outreach Coordinator
Employee status: Hourly Exempt, Appointed
Length of term: August 15, 2025 – April 30, 2026
Hours per week: 20 hours per week
Compensation: $20.00 per hour

Position Purpose

The Associate Vice President (AVP), External Affairs will act as the lead researcher, advisor, and right-hand person to the Vice President (VP) External Affairs. The AVP External will spearhead research, prepare lobby documents, support campaigns, and lead other political and administrative duties in conducting student advocacy at the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government. The AVP External will support the VP External with the tasks at hand for the External Portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct mixed-methods research projects as assigned in support of a data-driven and research-based advocacy model
• Prepare lobby documents and research briefs that could directly impact government policy and that will be used to lobby selective levels of government
• Develop a strong grasp on issues such as post-secondary education affordability, student financial aid, transit accessibility and funding, domestic and international student issues, and other undergraduate and graduate student issues
• Work with UBC Enrolment Services to respond to U-Pass inquiries from students, including but not limited to exemption, eligibility, subsidies
• Coordinate, engage, and consult with student groups on campus, especially marginalized communities, to create and inform advocacy through an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) lens
• Work with the AMS executive, campus organizations, and off-campus groups to create partnerships
• Help organize and lead events, conferences, and long term projects/campaigns directed around post-secondary issues
• Sit on both related UBC and AMS committees and working groups at the request of the VP External
• Attend meetings on behalf of the VP External as required
• Attend and speak at City Council, Mayor’s Council, TransLink meetings, Provincial, Federal, and Municipal Lobby Meetings, and U-Pass Advisory Committee with the VP External, where necessary
• Assist in scheduling, organizing, and planning meetings and other administrative duties as required
• Works within the AMS mission statement and values to operate a successful department
• Uphold the AMS’s mission, values, constitution, and Strategic Plan
• Other duties as required

Qualifications and Experience

• Must be a currently registered student at UBC Vancouver or one of its affiliated colleges
• Experience in policy development and/or planning
• Able to research and write high quality policy papers and briefing documents
• Experience with issue-based advocacy organizations
• Knowledge of municipal, provincial and federal levels of government and their policies is required
• Knowledge of issues at UBC and general post-secondary education is strongly encouraged

The Ideal Candidate

• Great emphasis on taking initiative in both creating and forwarding projects
• Independent, self-motivated, goal and results oriented, and reliable
• Able to research and write high quality position policy papers, research papers, briefing notes, and media releases
• Able to execute tasks quickly, efficiently, and diligently
• Interest in pursuing initiatives and lobbying priorities of the VP External in line with their Executive Goals
• Efficient team player who can coordinate and collaborate with multiple people on projects
• Strong strategic and critical thinking skills that translates to tangible work
• Strong organizational and logistical planning skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and is able to both lead and work within a team
• Strong creative point of view

To Apply:
Please submit your resume and cover letter. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Application deadline: 11:59pm August 4, 2025.

At the AMS, we believe that a diverse workforce enriches our organization and we value individual life experiences, knowledge and self-expression that different people bring. We actively seek to create an environment where all employees, regardless of their background, race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristics, feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best.
We warmly welcome and encourage individuals from any underrepresented group to apply for this position. We are dedicated to maintaining fair and inclusive practices in our hiring, promotion, and professional development processes to create the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Due to the large volume of resumes we receive at the AMS, we are only able to contact those we are interested in interviewing and cannot reply to email/phone/walk-in inquiries regarding application status.