Manager, Budget & Planning

University of Toronto; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 106,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university is seeking a Budget and Planning Manager to oversee annual budget activities and manage financial planning processes. The ideal candidate will have a university degree specialized in accounting and a CPA or equivalent, along with at least seven years of substantial experience in budgeting, accounting, and financial analysis. Proven leadership skills and a strong ability to foster collaboration across departments are essential for the role.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years in budgeting, accounting, and financial analysis.
• Experience in managing large-scale budgets and providing strategic advice.
• Understanding of managerial and financial accounting practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all annual budget activity at UTM.
• Manage the Strategic Planning process involving all UTM departments.
• Provide training and guidance to Financial Officers within UTM.

Skills

Leadership

Financial analysis

Communication

Problem-solving

Risk management

Education

University degree in accounting

Professional accounting designation (CPA, CA, CMA)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Power BI

SAP

PeopleSoft

Job description

Date Posted: 08/08/2025
Req ID: 44718
Faculty/Division: UofT Mississauga
Department: Budget, Planning & Finance
Campus: University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)

Description:

About us:

U of T Mississauga—the second largest campus of Canada’s top-ranked university and the only research university in Ontario’s booming Peel Region—is one of the world’s great catalysts of human potential.
Our employee community hums with the energy of 3,400 faculty, librarians and staff, who power our campus with curiosity, connection and care. We work together to spark life-changing research and innovation, make an indelible mark on the world by building equitable cities and societies, enable healthy lives, create a sustainable future and ignite entrepreneurship. Above all, we prioritize student success, and seek to give our 16,500 students the lift of a lifetime through learning and discovery. We love to open opportunities available nowhere else for our community to achieve their ambitions and make their unique contributions to Canada and the world.

This work all comes together on a spectacularly green campus, alongside the Missinihe-ziibi (Trusting Creek or Credit River), where we seek to honour truth, reciprocity and reconciliation on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, Seneca and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We’re thrilled to welcome those who want to learn more about us and to be part of what we do.

Position Summary:

Under the general direction of the Director, Planning & Analysis, Budget, Planning and Finance, the Budget and Planning Manager leads and oversees all annual budget activity at UTM and supports the development and preparation of the long range plan, including developing complex financial models. This includes planning and overseeing the annual budget exercise for all Budget, Planning and Finance staff and all financial contacts in UTM departments, incorporating all changes and consolidating the annual operating budgets for academic departments, administrative departments, the library, utilities, facilities, ancillary and student service departments. In addition to the annual budget, the position will also be responsible for managing the Strategic Planning process. The Budget and Planning Manager is the key contact person with the Planning & Budget Department (P&B) with respect to the annual and current budget (including strategic initiatives requests) and ensures that all correspondence from P&B is followed. The incumbent recommends continual improvement changes to the UTM budget model, seeking out best practices from outside UTM and feedback from UTM departments and implementing changes to streamline and improve understanding of information. Working with the Executive Director, the Assistant Directors and the Director, Planning & Analysis in Budget, Planning and Finance, the Budget and Planning Manager ensures all current information/changes from UTM departments are incorporated into the long-range plan. The incumbent ensures funding is received and allocated appropriately within the UTM budget model and administers central UTM accounts. The incumbent also acts as a senior, lead analyst, providing training and guidance to the Financial Officers within UTM Budget, Planning and Finance. The incumbent reviews forecasts and provides advice and training to the more senior financial staff across UTM. This includes the training for Strategic Initiatives requests consolidation, communication, reporting, and presentation to the leadership. The Budget and Planning Manager also engages in special projects as required, including financial modelling for internal projects and external contracts, analyses for administrative staff restructurings, assessing the financial implications and making recommendations to the Executive Director and Director, Planning & Analysis.

Additionally, the Budget and Planning Manager plays a key role in fostering collaborative relationships across departments to ensure alignment with financial goals and priorities. The incumbent will also contribute to the continuous evaluation of resource allocation and financial performance to support UTM's strategic objectives and long-term sustainability.

Qualifications:

Education

Completion of a University degree with a specialization in accounting and a professional accounting designation (CPA, CA, CMA) or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience in finance and business management is required.

Understanding of both managerial and financial accounting practices within complex organizational environments, preferably in the higher education sector, is essential.

Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of related budgeting, accounting, and financial analysis experience, with a proven ability to manage large-scale budgets and provide strategic financial advice.
• Experience in strategic advisory roles to senior management, providing guidance on complex, non-standard issues, and formulating recommendations in uncertain or rapidly changing financial environments.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and leading cross-functional teams, including overseeing staff performance, mentorship, and professional development. Strong record of coaching and developing staff to foster a high-performance culture.
• Experience in leading change management initiatives, particularly in financial processes, system upgrades, or organizational restructuring, with the ability to influence stakeholders and guide departments through significant transitions.
• Public sector or higher education experience is highly desirable, with knowledge of institutional funding models, including grants, tuition revenue, and self-funded units.
• Proven experience in managing and integrating financial systems, including financial management software (e.g., SAP, PeopleSoft), and experience with Financial Information Systems (FIS) and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) is a strong asset.

Skills

• Excellent leadership and management skills, with demonstrated success in leading diverse teams, fostering collaboration, and building strong relationships with senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Thorough knowledge of financial analysis, forecasting, modeling, accounting, reporting, and internal control principles. Ability to apply these principles in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is required. Expertise in financial data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau is required.
  Knowledge of the University’s Financial Information System (FIS), Human Resources Information System (HRIS), and familiarity with budgeting and financial policies and procedures are an asset.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, and a strong self-starter mentality, with a highly rigorous attitude and excellent attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to organize and clearly present complex financial information to non-financial staff and faculty. Must demonstrate diplomacy in managing difficult situations and provide effective guidance across various levels of the organization.
• Ability to think strategically, challenge the status quo, and see the long-term implications and opportunities of proposed financial changes and decisions.
• Advanced problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex financial data, identify inefficiencies or risks, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Expertise in managing financial projects, ensuring they align with institutional goals, stay within budget, and are completed on time. Ability to lead process improvement initiatives and provide recommendations for enhanced financial efficiency and reporting.
• Risk management skills to identify financial vulnerabilities and suggest proactive measures to mitigate risks and ensure long-term financial stability.
• Experience in mentoring and training financial officers and staff, with the ability to provide guidance, constructive feedback, and create learning opportunities that enhance team capabilities.

This is a term opportunity for 1 year.

Closing Date:08/19/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Appointment Type: Budget - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:PM 4 -- Hiring Zone: $106,705 - $124,491 -- Broadband Salary Range: $106,705 - $177,843
Job Category: Finance/Budget/Planning/Audit