Director of Finance

The University of British Columbia; British Columbia; On-site; CAD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking a Director of Finance to provide strategic financial leadership for the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. This senior role involves managing a substantial budget, guiding financial initiatives, and collaborating with senior management to enhance financial practices. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in financial planning and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Minimum of nine years of related experience or equivalent education.
• Proven financial planning and modeling for accurate analysis.

Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive financial leadership and expertise.
• Responsible for fiscal management of a $35 million operating budget.
• Leads the development of business plans and financial forecasts.

Skills

Financial Planning

Budgeting

Strategic Planning

Leadership

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

CPA accounting program (CA, CGA or CMA)

Job description

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Department

Faculty and Leadership | Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Accounting, Level F

Job Title

Director of Finance

Department

Faculty and Leadership | Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Compensation Range

$9,859.25 - $15,380.75 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

May 15, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Description Summary

The Director of Finance is a senior leadership role responsible for providing comprehensive financial leadership, expertise and direction to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The position has responsibility for the fiscal management of an operating budget of $35 million annually and a total budget of $50 million annually including, Ministry, research funding and development.

This position has Faculty-wide impact and contributes to the strategic direction, plans and objectives by identifying issues and opportunities, evaluating organizational impact and introducing innovative initiatives to move the strategic plans forward. At the same time, the Director is a conduit for influence and information sharing between the Comptroller's Office and the Faculty. The Director provides leadership and direction in establishing innovative practices and programs. Further provides authoritative advice on financial issues, and to a lesser extent, human resources and operational issues. Must be aware of both the external and internal political and economic environment within which the University functions and foster relationships with key contacts.

The Director of Finance, working with the Dean, provides leadership and guidance to Associate and Assistant Deans, Directors, Program Directors, and staff throughout the Faculty.

Organizational Status

This position reports to the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and dotted line to the University Comptroller. From a practical point of view, the Director will take day to day direction from the Dean and also has accountability to the Comptroller for the financial integrity of the portfolio. Has regular contact with Senior Management in central service offices, e.g. VP-Academic & Provost's Office, Finance and Integrated Services, Financial Planning and Analysis, Research Services, Innovation UBC, Faculty Relations, Treasury, University Counsel, etc., as well as with senior management in other faculties. Internally represents the Faculty in financial and/or other administrative matters, while at the same time supporting the Comptroller's Office.

Work Performed

Financial Management

• Leads the vision and provides strategic financial advice consistent with organizational objectives on effective use of financial resources; makes recommendations on specific budget initiatives, assessing alternatives and consequences of options.
• Directs the development of business plans including detailed annual operating budgets, financial forecasts and financial plans for the Faculty.
• Responsible for consistent and transparent financial stewardship, leads the establishment and measurement of relevant key performance indicators; and provides advice on relevant operational key performance indicators to monitor their success and performance.
• Reviews all new business initiatives (i.e. cost-recovery initiatives and other new opportunities) and provides appropriate recommendations to the Dean.
• Partners with the Comptroller's team to ensure policies, systems and procedures support the best decision making on critical and, long-term financial viability plans and the sustainability of business operations.
• Accountable for the preparation and completion of accurate financial reports, financial models, estimates, summaries of results, variance analysis and other operational strategic performance measures.
• Ensures that the senior leadership receives appropriate financial reports and/or access to these systems on a timely basis to assist in achieving their goals and making decisions. Directs the investigation of issues identified.
• Directs business process reviews, re-engineering and develops new processes and procedures to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Makes recommendations to senior leadership for changes to procedures relating to improved financial control or accountability.
• Leads the development of the audit plan and reviews the findings of internal audits conducted to ensure adequate financial controls are implemented and in place to safeguard the integrity of each academic unit.
• Collaborates with senior members of UBC central services to prioritize initiatives, advises on and resolves issues and processes regarding financial systems related matters.
• Leads the implementation of UBC initiated financial systems in the Faculty and each academic unit.
• Responsible for the financial integrity of the portfolios financial operations. Advises senior leadership on the internal control environment; financial risk, business risk and control risk.
• Leads the implementation of and communication of budget policy and priorities throughout the Faculty.
• This position must make decisions regarding unusual or new accounting transactions or processes as well as be able to analyze the most complex accounting transactions and explain the results to senior leadership.
  
  

Strategic Planning and Direction

• Responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership support within an environment of significant change.
• Represents the Faculty on various University Committees such as the Committee of Faculty Business Administrators (CFBA) and other ad-hoc committees as needed.
• Identifies and researches issues for the Dean and recommends and initiates resolution of these.
• Works in close partnership with the Dean on special projects and projects of a sensitive, confidential nature. Researches background, then participates in formulating the Pharmaceutical Sciences position.
• Responsible for determining finance staffing requirements, skill set and expertise requirements, establishing job descriptions, interviewing, hiring finance staff, providing coaching for performance improvement.
  
  

Consequence of Error/Judgement

As a key executive position in the Comptroller's office and the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences this position must exercise good judgment and ensure due process has been followed in all areas. Errors of judgment or procedure in financial or other matters could lead to serious financial issues for the University. Any lapse in judgment in any area of responsibility could seriously undermine the Faculty's credibility. Errors in long term strategic planning could have a lasting negative impact.

Supervision Received

The Director works independently under broad directives from the Comptroller and day to day direction from the Dean. Keeps the Comptroller and Dean informed and up-to-date on the Faculty's financial position and administrative issues. Discusses with the Dean and acts upon issues of Faculty-wide impact. Performance is reviewed by the Comptroller and the Dean in terms of the achievement of long-term goals. Works with the Comptroller and their peers to align to UBC s and the Faculty's financial objectives and effectively engage the portfolio in financial best practice policy and processes. Takes strategic direction from the Comptroller on complex financial issues to ensure the success for the Faculty and for UBC s overall financial targets. Discusses with the Dean and acts upon issues of Faculty-wide impact. Performance is regularly reviewed by the Dean in consultation with the Comptroller in terms of the achievement of critical and long-term goals.

Supervision Given

The incumbent provides advice, guidance and consultation to the Faculty's Associate Deans, Directors, Managers, Supervisors and members of the Faculty on financial and human resources issues to ensure that the University s policies and practices are administered equitably. Directly supervises the Finance Office staff.

Minimum Qualifications

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

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

Proven financial planning and modeling for accurate analysis, forecasting and reporting, systems development, and budgeting is required. Management level experience is required in strategic planning, facilitative leadership, business process improvement and systems re-engineering. Effective financial and management skills; the ability to master detail while understanding broader concepts; ability to identify, as well as creatively solve problems and take initiative to improve processes; ability to work creatively, resourcefully and effectively; strong oral and written skills; ability to think strategically and implement actions to move complex issues forward; proven judgment and decision-making skills.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Finance and Sales

• Industries

  Higher Education

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