Director, Continuous Improvement (Term)

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Toronto is seeking a Director of Continuous Improvement. This senior finance leadership role focuses on managing process improvement, finance technology solutions, and data management initiatives across the organization. Candidates should possess a decade of experience in finance, preferably with a background in data analytics and transformational leadership. The role requires strategic thinking, strong leadership, and the ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement while meeting financial objectives. This is a full-time, fixed-term position.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years' experience with at least five years in finance management.
• Experience leading process improvement or transformation initiatives.
• Strong capacity in managing finance data and analytics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead strategic planning for process improvement.
• Oversee financial operations of the Continuous Improvement Team.
• Lead finance process improvement initiatives.

Skills

Strong understanding of end-to-end finance processes

Data-driven decision-making abilities

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Leadership skills

Education

University degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related discipline

Professional accounting designation or MBA preferred

Job description

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Date Posted: 12/22/2025

Req ID: 46464

Faculty/Division: VP - University Operations

Department: OREP Financial Strategy & Services Dept

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

The Operations and Real Estate Partnerships (OREP) Division is the largest shared service division at the University of Toronto, serving three campuses. OREP manages key portfolios such as Information Technology Services, Facilities and Services, University Planning Design & Construction, and Spaces & Experiences. The Financial Strategy and Services Department provides support to these business areas to ensure efficient financial support to ensure they meet and support the University’s mission.

The Director, Continuous Improvement is a senior finance leadership role reporting to the Executive Financial Officer (EFO) and provides leadership support to translate the Financial Strategy and Services Department’s vision into practical improvements across finance processes, technology and system usage, and data management and analytics. The Director will carry out these responsibilities in a cost-effective manner to ensure timely delivery within approved budgets, and work collaboratively with other directors and managers across the organization to foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation and ensure improvements are aligned to the University’s mission.

The focus of this role is finance process improvement, supported by finance system optimization and maintenance, and finance data management and analytics. The Director is expected to operate at both strategic and execution levels, personally leading delivery while guiding a small specialist team and working closely with internal and external stakeholders.

This role is intended for leaders who have built their experience within or closely embedded in finance functions. While it involves continuous improvement, processes, systems, and data, it is not a general project management, PMO, or technology build role.

This is a fixed-term appointment (2 years with possibility of extension) with a clear mandate to deliver measurable improvements in how Finance operates.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and lead the strategic planning and overall management of process improvement, data analytics, and finance technology solution development functions, in alignment with Finance and organizational objectives.
• Oversee all aspects of financial operations of the Continuous Improvement (CI) Team, including process improvement, data analytics, and finance system maintenance and optimization.
• Lead finance process improvement initiatives to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs. Oversee process improvement projects from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive, up-to-date process documentation, and ensure effective communication and training to support adoption of improved processes.
• In collaboration with IT teams and vendors, lead the optimization, enhancement, and ongoing support of finance technology solutions, ensuring alignment with business requirements, security standards, and institutional platforms.
• Guide the use, integration, and interpretation of financial data and analytics, including large and complex datasets, to support operational and strategic decision-making. Ensure divisional level practices aligning with institutional policies and directions, and in compliance with financial data governance, security, and regulatory standards.
• Work closely with Finance leadership, including FP&A, to define data analytics priorities and support data-driven decision-making across the organization.
• Develop and implement change management strategies to facilitate adoption of process improvements and technology solutions. Provide guidance and support to teams and stakeholders during periods of change and transition.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the organization, encouraging teams to embrace change and seek opportunities for improvement.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with improvement projects, data analytics processes, and technology implementations.
• Develop and monitor the Hub’s service commitments to operational departments, ensuring alignment with business needs and performance objectives.

Essential Qualifications:

Education:

• A University degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional accounting designation, MBA or advanced degree in a relevant field is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years’ related experience, with at least five (5) years’ managerial experience within a finance environment overseeing process improvement, data analytics, and/or financial technology solution development.
• Demonstrated experience leading finance-owned process improvement or transformation initiatives.
• Experience owning and optimizing finance systems post-implementation, including day‑day functional support, issue triage, and enhancement prioritization.
• Strong capacity in managing finance data and analytics, including working with large and complex datasets and guiding analytical work.
• Demonstrated experience in managing teams and driving initiatives that enhance operational efficiency through the optimization of business processes and effective use of data and technology.

Skills:

• Strong understanding of end‑to‑end finance processes, controls, and governance.
• Strong strategic thinking and data‑driven decision‑making abilities, with a hands‑on, execution‑oriented mindset.
• Superior analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to manage organizational change and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• High level of integrity and results‑orientation.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with senior administrators and stakeholders across the organization.

Other:

• Demonstrated ability to manage and direct activities of a busy and deadline‑driven team.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to drive innovation, seeing the big picture and long‑term implications of proposed changes.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills, including the ability to bring diplomacy to difficult situations and clearly communicate complex information to non‑technical individuals at all levels.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to work well with others

Please Note: This is a new position.

Closing information

Closing Date: 02/02/2026, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: Salaried

Appointment Type: Budget - Term

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 5 – Hiring Zone: $120,499 - $140,583 – Broadband Salary Range: $120,499 - $200,831

Job Category: Finance/Budget/Planning/Audit

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail].