Chief Catalyst, Enabling Systems and Chief Financial Officer

Recruitment Partners Inc.; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

The University Hospital Foundation is seeking an innovative, senior financial and operational leader to join the Executive Leadership Team as Chief Catalyst, Enabling Systems and CFO. You will guide strategic finance, technology-enabled transformation, risk management, and governance to advance health outcomes across Alberta.

In collaboration with the President & CEO, Board, and ELT, you will build high‑performing teams, steward donor funds, and drive organizational capacity building in a

Qualifications

• Professional accounting designation (CPA) or equivalent senior financial leadership experience.
• Post-secondary degree in business, finance, HR, or related discipline; MBA an asset.
• Significant senior financial leadership experience, including CFO or equivalent role.
• Experience leading teams through growth, change, transformation, or modernization.
• Strong knowledge of financial planning, investment oversight, fund accounting, reporting, compliance, and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic management and oversight to the People, Finance and Technology teams to align with UHF’s long‑term strategy.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, audit, compliance, investment oversight, and stewardship of donor funds.
• Support the President & CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board committees with clear, timely, and strategic advice.
• Champion innovation and modernization by improving systems, capacity, and processes.
• Advance the Foundation’s technology strategy and roadmap to improve productivity and scalability.
• Ensure strong governance, risk management, legal, privacy, procurement and compliance practices.
• Build and lead a collaborative, customer‑centric team serving internal and external stakeholders.
• Foster trusted relationships with donors, partners, board members, auditors, and government representatives.

Skills

Financial leadership

Strategic planning

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Technology strategy

Education

CPA designation

MBA or relevant graduate degree

Post-secondary degree in business/finance

Job description

University Hospital Foundation
The University Hospital Foundation is dedicated to a powerful, singular purpose: to continuously seek, inspire and support bold solutions to seemingly insurmountable challenges and ignite new discoveries in health. Responsible for raising and managing funds to advance innovation in prevention, research and patient care, the Foundation strives to transform and redefine health in the Edmonton area, throughout Alberta and around the world so everyone can live a longer, healthier life.

University Hospital Foundation
The University Hospital Foundation is dedicated to a powerful, singular purpose: to continuously seek, inspire and support bold solutions to seemingly insurmountable challenges and ignite new discoveries in health. Responsible for raising and managing funds to advance innovation in prevention, research and patient care, the Foundation strives to transform and redefine health in the Edmonton area, throughout Alberta and around the world so everyone can live a longer, healthier life.

In the past ten years, generous donations from individuals and our corporate and strategic partners have contributed nearly $220 million to advance world‑leading patient care at the University of Alberta Hospital, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, and Kaye Edmonton Clinic, as well as groundbreaking research at the University of Alberta.

As an outcome‑focused organization, UHF offers a flexible hybrid working environment. To learn more about the University Hospital Foundation, visit www.GiveToUHF.ca and if you have a keen interest in being a part of the future of healthcare in Alberta,

The Opportunity

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and reporting to the President & CEO, the Chief Catalyst, Enabling Systems and Chief Financial Officer plays a critical role in developing and implementing the business and financial strategy and enabling systems strategy of the University Hospital Foundation (the Foundation). This position is integral to organizational success in support of the mission, vision, values, and goals of the Foundation.

This role serves as a critical advisor to the President & CEO, the Executive Leadership team and support to the Board of Trustees including their supporting committees.

This role leads the Finance, People & Technology Portfolio and manages a diverse department of professionals who are passionate about contributing to the Foundation’s mission through providing the most efficient and effective operational support. This role is a pivotal member of the leadership team that embraces change as an opportunity to learn and is constantly looking for ways to improve the level of service to internal and external customers.

Key accountabilities include financial and operational activities in the areas of finance & investments, accountability of funded projects, donation services, fund management and distributions, information technology & management, people practices, legal & risk management, and facilities & property management.

Key Responsibilities

The responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:

• Provide strategic management and oversight to the People, Finance and Technology teams to align with UHF’s long‑term strategy to support multiple stakeholders including donors and funding recipients.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, audit, compliance, investment oversight, and stewardship of donor funds.
• Support the President & CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board committees with clear, timely, and strategic advice.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement by modernising systems, strengthening operational capacity, and encouraging new ways of working.
• Advance the Foundation’s technology strategy and roadmap, using technology to improve processes, productivity, decision‑making, and organisational scalability.
• Ensure strong governance, risk management, legal, privacy, procurement, and compliance practices.
• Build and lead a collaborative, customer‑centric team that provides excellent service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Foster trusted relationships with donors, partners, board members, auditors, investment managers, government representatives, and health‑system stakeholders.
• Contribute to a culture that is accountable, courageous, innovative, collaborative, and focused on measurable impact.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate is an innovative, experienced executive financial and operational leader with the ability to translate strategy into effective systems, structures, and results. They will bring a strong track record in financial stewardship, people leadership, technology‑enabled transformation, risk management, and organisational capacity building. Experience in a complex not‑for‑profit, charitable, healthcare, post‑secondary, public‑sector, or similarly mission‑driven environment would be considered an asset.

Education & Experience

• A professional accounting designation, such as CPA, or equivalent senior financial leadership experience.
• A post‑secondary degree in business, finance, human resources, or a related discipline; an MBA or relevant graduate degree would be an asset.
• Significant senior financial leadership experience, including experience in a CFO or comparable executive role.
• Proven experience leading teams through growth, change, transformation, or modernisation.
• Strong knowledge of financial planning, investment oversight, fund accounting, reporting, compliance, and risk management.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors or Board of Trustees and supporting board‑level committees.
• Demonstrated expertise in leveraging data, systems, and technology to drive organisational performance, inform strategic decision‑making, and advance enterprise priorities.

Behavioral Competencies and Personal Attributes

The Successful Candidate Will Be

• Strategic, financially astute, and future‑focused.
• Innovative and curious, with a willingness to challenge the status quo and explore better ways to deliver impact.
• Collaborative, approachable, and able to build trust across teams, partners, and stakeholders.
• A clear communicator who can make complex financial and operational matters understandable to non‑financial audiences.
• Customer‑centric, service‑oriented, and committed to supporting both internal teams and external partners.
• Courageous, accountable, and comfortable leading through ambiguity and change.
• A values‑driven leader who operates with integrity, sound judgement, and humility.

Measurements of Success Within the First Year

Success In The First Year Will Include

• Building trusted relationships with the Board of Trustees, President & CEO, Executive Leadership Team, direct reports, and key external stakeholders.
• Establishing clear priorities, accountabilities, and decision‑making practices across the enabling systems portfolio.
• Strengthening finance, people, technology, and operational systems to support improved service, efficiency, and scalability.
• Advancing a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and exceptional customer experience.
• Supporting strategic partnerships across the health, life sciences, wellness, philanthropic, and public‑sector ecosystems.
• Contributing meaningfully to organisational priorities, including leadership development, inclusion, operational excellence, and long‑term sustainability.

If you are interested in this role and meet the above criteria,