Finance Coordinator-Indigenous Ecology Lab

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Vancouver seeks a Finance Coordinator for the Indigenous Ecology Lab. The role involves providing financial leadership for research grants, ensuring budget compliance, and engaging with various Indigenous communities. Ideal candidates will have a relevant undergraduate degree, CPA coursework, and experience in budget management. The position fosters a commitment to equity and diverse perspectives. Monthly compensation ranges from $5,791.00 to $8,323.42 CAD.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including conflicting views.
• Commitment to enhancing awareness and knowledge related to equity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial leadership for projects ensuring compliance with policies and regulations.
• Manage a large number of research grants and donations, resolving issues with relevant offices.
• Develop and manage annual project budgets, conduct forecasting and reporting.
• Draft budget documentation for organizations supporting research.
• Manage financial operations across research activities, including payroll and expenses.
• Implement financial controls and enhance accounting procedures.
• In collaboration with researchers, develop strategic financial plans.

Skills

Financial leadership

Budget management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Detail-oriented

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

Completion of at least 7 of the 14 CPA academic prerequisites

Tools

Workday

Job description

Staff - Non Union Job Category M&P - AAPS Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Accounting, Level A Job Title Finance Coordinator-Indigenous Ecology Lab Department Research | Jennifer Grenz Lab | Department of Forest Resources Management Compensation Range $5,791.00 - $8,323.42 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 January 4, 2026

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

Job End Date

March 31, 2028

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

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 Summary

The Indigenous Ecology Lab is part of the Belowground Ecosystems Group in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia. We apply an Indigenous, relational worldview to ecological restoration. Our work is community-based and co-generated by Indigenous communities looking to heal and reclaim food systems for all relations. We work together to reclaim, revitalize, adapt, and practice traditional stewardship that offers important solutions to building resiliency into our forest ecosystems and communities. The application of an Indigenous worldview to land healing puts the focus of our work on relationships, shaping lands guided by community needs and values, and honouring the stories of the past, present and future.

Work Performed

• Provide financial leadership for projects, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and practices and funding agency regulations

• Management of a large number of research grants, program codes, project codes and donations; resolves problems with the appropriate office, i.e., Financial Services, Research Finance, ORS, UILO, Payroll, Procurement, and other related units on UBCV campus.

• Develop and manage annual project budgets, conduct budget forecasting, variance analysis and financial reporting.

• Draft budget documentation for all organizations supporting research in the lab, including federal, provincial governments, NSERC, SSHRC, MITACS, industry partners and donors, etc. Serves as the lead Is the UBCV contact person with the other organizations to make sure the information is correct and spent according to the budgets that are allocated to each project/grant.

• Manage financial operations across research activities, including payroll, expense processing, financial reporting, and conferences, workshops and community partnerships.

• Draft financial reports, variance assessments, and forecasting models to inform decision-making. Implement financial controls and best practices to optimize resource allocation and ensure fiscal accountability

• Engage in business process reviews to effectively implement or enhance accounting procedures, financial information flow, administrative procedures, work flow or internal controls.

• Develop policy, standards and procedures with respect to financial and budget issues and ensures they are in line with UBCV, tri-council and other relevant institutions financial policies.

• In consultation with Dr. Grenz, develop and implement short- and long-term strategic plans, financial planning to achieve goals and objectives for research projects.

• Prepares documents and provides advice in development of budgets for funding proposals

• Collaborate with various indigenous communities including Elders, Knowledge Keeps and community research to facilitate honoraria and reimbursements.

• Maintain a current knowledge of financial policies and procedures to ensure Investigators are adhering to UBCV,tri-council and other relevant institutions financial policies and procedures.

• Performs other related duties commensurate with skills and experience as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Must exercise judgment based upon a thorough knowledge of procedures, guidelines and regulations. Errors in judgment may impact the long term financial and operational activities of research grants. Errors in budget calculations and projections could result in significant problems for the project. Errors in financial and human resources document information provided to all parties of the project could delay or cause poor decision making regarding financial resource allocations. Poor management performance in any of these responsibility areas would undermine the coordinated research efforts, jeopardize continued funding and threaten the future of the projects as a whole. Prudent and thorough execution of this role will give the projects the greatest chance for success and possible future funding.

Supervision Received

Works directly with Dr. Jennifer Grenz, Principal Investigator (PI). Work is performed with minimal supervision. Performs duties independently, consulting with the PI of the project only on unusual problems or joint projects.

Supervision Given

Coordinates with FRM staff regarding appointments of all of Dr. Grenz’s graduate students, postdocs. When required, provides guidance and training in financial systems, internal controls, purchasing best practices and administrative processes to all employed by Dr. Grenz.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Completion of at least 7 of the 14 CPA academic prerequisites. Minimum of two 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

• Experience with UBC Financial, Human Resources and Procurement system – Workday.
• Experience with UBC financial practices preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of UBC Policies and Procedures.
• In-depth knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles; experience in financial reporting, budget planning and forecasting.
• Financial planning and management skills; Familiarity with University policies and procedures related to budgeting, finance, procurement, internal control and payroll matters.
• A high degree of professionalism, initiative, tact, productivity and integrity.
• Proven multi-tasking skills; ability to work calmly under pressure of critical deadlines or heavy volumes during peak periods.
• Must have excellent analytical skills and be detail-oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to think conceptually and organize new tasks.
• Effective oral and written communication skills including independent composition of correspondence
• Excellent interpersonal, problem solving, judgment and organizational skills.
• Competence in office software, including spreadsheets (advanced level), word processing, e-mail and Microsoft Outlook.