Finance Manager in Vancouver

This position is responsible for managing high level financial and budgetary analysis and reporting for VP Finance & Operations (VPFO). This position will provide direction and expertise on budget management and financial processing for the VPFO. The portfolio provides university-wide services ranging from facilities operations, financial services, budgeting & planning to safety and risk with a combined operating budget of over $240M annually.

For the VPFO portfolio, this position is primarily responsible for providing financial decision support, advice, tools and reports to directors and budget managers; development of unit level individual budgets; financial modeling; sensitivity analysis for financial planning beyond the budget period; conducting financial analyses in respect of revenues; assessing existing financial systems and recommending and implementing changes; and developing/supporting financial processes. This position plays a significant role in supporting the business partners with strategic financial management.

The Finance Manager reports to the Associate Director, Facilities Finance, and works closely with Unit and Department directors, managers and administrators to provide strategic financial information and support. Manages complex and strategic financial and data issues. Must be able to deal with changing priorities and multiple deadlines. Must be able to build relationships and work collaboratively to provide support for academic and departmental priorities.

Work Performed:

• Working collaboratively with the Finance Directors, Unit and Department directors, managers and administrators.
• Provides strategic advice and guidance to departments, managers and senior leadership within the Finance & Operations portfolio (VPFO).
• Develops and implements consistent financial and budgetary reports/systems and structures for all the departments within the Finance & Operations portfolio (VPFO).
• Manages complex and strategic financial and data issues while dealing with changing priorities and multiple deadlines.
• Performs granular analysis of actual costs for the VP Portfolio as a whole.
• Reviews financial reports for assigned departments within the Portfolio to identify potential issues and works to resolve issues with directors and administrators.
• Leads the process and technical preparation of the quarterly forecasts and annual budget in the assigned units.
• Supports the preparation of 5-year plans by department.
• Provides advice, direction and guidance concerning budget, accounting and financial matters.
• Participates in business process analysis, documenting process flows and facilitating workshops.
• Represents the VPFO at University working committees related to financial, budgeting and accounting systems.
• Oversees the preparation of quarterly variance reporting and KPI summaries for the assigned units.
• Manages key operational processes within assigned units including internal and external customer billing.
• Undertakes special projects at the request of the Finance Director.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Completion of the CPA accounting program (CA, CGA or CMA).
• Minimum of seven years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in financial and budgetary analysis and development of financial tracking and reporting systems required.
• Experience in post-secondary education preferred.
• Extensive experience with data analysis in large ERP systems and/or large data sets is required.
• Proven oral and written communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment.