Director, Planning, Budgeting and Analysis

Carleton University; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 133,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

Carleton University is seeking a Director of Planning, Budgeting and Analysis to lead its annual budgeting cycle and multi-year financial planning. You will ensure integrity of financial models and provide strategic analysis to inform allocation decisions across faculties and divisions.

The role requires CPA designation and a track record in university or large public sector budgeting, with strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of planning, budgeting, forecasting and financial modelling in a large public sector or higher education organization.
• Advanced knowledge of Ontario university funding and tuition frameworks and their effects on revenue.
• Knowledge of resource allocation models and implementation requirements.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting for not-for-profits.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual operating budget and multi-year financial plans.
• Prepare briefing materials for senior leadership and governance bodies.
• Oversee development and implementation of budgeting tools and planning models.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial modelling

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

University degree in accounting/finance/business

CPA designation

MBA/MPA (asset)

Tools

ERP systems

BI and data visualization

Job description

Job Number: J0926-0159

Job Title: Director, Planning, Budgeting and Analysis

Job Type: Continuing Full Time

Department: Office of the VP Academic and Provost

Job Category: Administrative

Number of Positions: 1

Date Posted (dd/mm/yyyy): 15/09/2026

Closing Date (dd/mm/yyyy): 02/10/2026

Salary (with Salary Rate): 132,597.00 - 172,377.00/Year

Employee Group: Non-Union

Salary Level: NU08

Hours Per Week: 35

Date Position Available: 01/10/2026

About Carleton University

Carleton University is situated on unceded Algonquin territory and bordered by the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Ottawa, Ontario. The university is just minutes from the heart of our nation's government and G-7 organizations and this capital advantage provides opportunities for staff and faculty and students to make a positive impact in our community and around the world.

Named a Top 100 Employer in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and a National Capital Region Top Employer for 10 consecutive years, Carleton University is one of Canada’s most resourceful and productive hubs of learning and research, fuelling a rich talent pipeline that is supporting social and economic renewal. The university’s smart, caring and connected community inspires and empowers individuals to become change leaders who drive impact in the world while challenging conventional modes of thinking and doing. At Carleton, we are committed to fostering an innovative, equitable and welcoming work environment. Carleton is also a nationally certified Healthy Workplace and is a recipient of the Canada Awards for Excellence, Healthy Workplace Order of Excellence and Platinum Level Certification for Mental Health at Work.

The university’s Strategic Integrated Plan 2020-2025 is an ambitious vision for the future, anchored in Carleton’s strengths and student-centric, community-engaged values.

Duties And Responsibilities

Reporting to the Associate Provost, Planning, Budgeting and Analysis, the Director, Planning, Budgeting and Analysis is the operational leader of the Office of Planning, Budgeting and Analysis (OPBA). Responsible for the delivery of the University’s annual and multi-year resource allocation planning and budgeting cycle, the integrity of the financial and enrolment-linked models that support it, and the analytical program that informs resource allocation planning decisions across the operating fund. The Director directs the day-to-day work of the office and supervises the Manager, Planning, Budgeting and Analysis and, through the Manager, the office’s staff. The Director directs the day-to-day work of the office and supervises the Manager, Planning, Budgeting and Analysis and, through the Manager, the office’s staff.

The Director converts the financial strategy and budget policy set by the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and the Associate Provost into executable processes, models, analysis and decision materials. This includes leading the development of the annual Operating Budget and the University’s long-range financial plan; assessing budget requests and resource pressures from Faculties and Divisions; and preparing the analysis and briefing materials used by the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Planning and Budgeting (PACPB), the Faculty Budget Review Advisory Committee, the Institution-Wide Budget Advisory Committee, senior leadership and the Board of Governors.

Leads the operational role in changes to the University’s integrated planning and budgeting framework, including the redesign and implementation of the resource allocation planning model and the planning tools, data standards and reporting that accompany it. The position works closely with Financial Services, the Office of Institutional Research and Planning (OIRP), Information Technology Services, Human Resources and the Faculties, represents the Associate Provost on committees and working groups as required.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of planning, budgeting, forecasting and financial modelling in a large public sector or higher education organization, including multi-year financial planning and scenario analysis.
• Advanced knowledge of university funding in Ontario, including the operating grant and enrolment corridor, Strategic Mandate Agreements, the tuition fee framework and federal policy affecting international enrolment, and their effects on institutional revenue.
• Knowledge of resource allocation models used in the university sector, including incremental, activity-based and responsibility centre approaches, and the practical requirements of designing and implementing changes to them.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting for not-for-profit organizations, including the relationship between the budget and the financial statements.
• Knowledge of financial and planning systems, enterprise resource planning systems, business intelligence and data visualization platforms, and advanced spreadsheet modelling.
• Knowledge of university governance, academic and administrative decision-making, collective agreements, and the policy and legislative environment of Ontario universities, including Broader Public Sector directives.
• Knowledge of people management, performance management and change management practices in a unionized environment.
• Superior analytical and quantitative skills, with demonstrated ability to structure ambiguous problems, test assumptions and present options with clear recommendations.
• Superior written and verbal communication and presentation skills, including the ability to prepare materials suitable for senior leadership and Board audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust with senior academic and administrative leaders, manage competing demands and maintain confidentiality.

Education And Experience

• University degree in accounting, finance, business, economics or a related discipline.
• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation is a requirement of this role.
• A graduate degree (MBA, MPA or equivalent) is an asset.
• Minimum of ten years of progressive experience in planning, budgeting, financial analysis or progressive leadership roles in a complex organization, including at least three years of direct management of professional staff.
• Experience leading an organization-wide annual budget process and maintaining multi-year financial plans and forecasting models, preferably in a university or other broader public sector organization.
• Experience preparing analysis and briefing materials for senior executives and governance bodies.
• Experience implementing new budget models, planning systems or significant process change, including stakeholder consultation and training.
• Experience in a unionized environment and knowledge of the Ontario university sector are assets.

HR Note

Equivalencies will be considered. Applicants are encouraged to provide information which may demonstrate equivalent qualifications. Please note that applicants may be required to complete an employment test as part of the selection process for this position. Those applicants that are selected for an interview will be requested to contact the Human Resource Advisor assigned to this competition as soon as possible to discuss any accommodation requirements. Arrangements will be made to accommodate your request in a timely manner. Carleton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our University including, but not limited to: women; visible minorities; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expressions.

Health and Safety Requirements

This position is regularly required to work on campus in person. In the event of a public health emergency or a health and safety issue, it is possible that you may be required to work temporarily remotely due to public health orders, directives and/or health and safety requirements. If this happens, you will work with your direct manager to set up a remote work environment including discussing appropriate technology and requirements. You are required to follow all University policies and directives, including to set up a safe and confidential workspace in a remote location and ensure all Carleton property (intellectual and other) is safeguarded. If required to work remotely, you will be notified by your manager when working full time physically onsite will resume.