Manager, Finance Business Unit Support

Centennial College; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Centennial College is hiring a Finance Manager with proven experience leading teams and building strong relationships across the organization.

Reporting to the Director, Financial Planning and Analysis, the Manager, Finance Business Unit Support will serve as a strategic and operational partner to internal client groups, providing financial guidance, supporting day‑to‑day finance operations, advancing business performance and organizational priorities, and driving continuous improvements across

Qualifications

• 4-year degree in Business, Finance or Accounting.
• CPA designation or equivalent.
• Progressive 7 years’ experience in financial management or leadership roles; supervisory experience in a unionized environment preferred.
• Excellent financial analysis, modelling, planning and forecasting techniques; process improvement.
• Strong communication with diverse stakeholders; GAAP knowledge.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary financial partner to leaders within assigned portfolios, providing strategic and operational guidance on all financial matters.
• Lead financial management activities for business areas; develop and implement strategies for responsible financial stewardship.
• Develop, monitor and oversee the budget process including revenue projections, budget requests, and labour/non-labour budgets.
• Prepare formal reports on budget status, planning and forecasting for College and funding agencies; reconcile accounts monthly, quarterly, year-end.
• Coach and mentor leaders on budgeting, forecasting and financial performance management.
• Prepare and analyze complex reports, spreadsheets, and databases to support decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP/PSAB, policies and government requirements; participate in strategic goal setting.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and mentorship to staff, ensuring workload management and issue resolution.

Skills

Strong communication

Leadership

Financial analysis

Budgeting & forecasting

Relationship management

Advanced Excel

Problem-solving

Equity & inclusion understanding

Education

4-year degree in Business, Finance or Accounting

CPA designation or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Integrated financial systems

Job description

Centennial College recognizes and affirms Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Indigenous ways of knowing as central to the vibrancy and uniqueness of its learning and working academic mission. We strongly encourage applications from members of Indigenous communities and all equity-deserving groups including Women, Racialized, Persons with Disabilities, and LGBTQ+ communities.

We also recognize that Centennial is situated on the Treaty Lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and pay tribute to their legacy as well as that of all First Peoples that have been and remain present here in Toronto. We recognize that First Peoples come from sovereign Nations and that part of understanding our responsibilities of residing on this territory are understanding the true history, circumstances and legacy of the Treaties signed here (such as the Toronto Purchase, Robinson-Huron Treaty and Williams Treaties) and including pre‑contact Treaties and Agreements between sovereign Nations and that all peoples in this area are therefore Treaty people with obligations and responsibilities to all our relations.

Position Summary

Centennial College is hiring a Finance Manager with proven experience leading teams and building strong relationship across the organization. Reporting to the Director, Financial Planning and Analysis, the Manager, Finance Business Unit Support will serve as a strategic and operational partner to internal client groups, providing financial guidance, supporting day‑to‑day finance operations, advancing business performance and organizational priorities, and driving continuous improvements across their portfolio.

If you’re a Finance Manager with expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and business case development, this is an opportunity to make an impact by providing strategic financial guidance, supporting key initiatives, and delivering insights that drive informed decision‑making across the College.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary financial partner to leaders within assigned business portfolios, providing strategic and operational guidance on all financial matters
• Lead financial management activities for business areas; develop, recommend and implement strategies to ensure responsible financial stewardship
• Develop, monitor and oversee the budget process including revenue projections, business cases to support budget requests, labour and non‑labour expense budgets, including operating, ancillary, capital, externally funded projects, and strategic initiatives
• Prepare formal reports on budget status, planning and forecasting, as required by College and funding agencies; develops the monthly, quarterly and year‑end reconciliation of business accounts
• Coach and mentor departmental leaders and staff on budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance management
• Prepare and analyze complex reports, spreadsheets, databases and other documents to support the decision‑making process
• Ensures compliance of all financial activities with evolving GAAP/PSAB standards, College, administrative, legislative and government policies, procedures and requirements
• Participates in the formulation of goals, strategic plans, and objectives related to financial programs, practices, and services for the business to support the College's institutional goals
• Provide day‑to‑day leadership, coaching, and mentorship to staff, ensuring effective workload management, performance management, and timely resolution of issues and challenges

Qualifications/Experience

• 4-year degree in Business, Finance or Accounting
• CPA designation or equivalent is required
• Progressive 7 years’ experience in financial management or leadership roles; supervisory experience in a unionized environment is preferred
• Excellent financial analysis, financial modelling, planning and forecasting techniques, as well as business process improvement
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of internal/external stakeholders
• Demonstrated understanding and application of Generally Accepted Account Principles (GAAP)
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills; working knowledge of integrated financial systems and data management software tools required
• Strong communication (verbal/written) skills; ability to communicate complex and sensitive financial data with a non‑financial audience
• Excellent customer service orientation and relationship management skills
• Excellent organizational, analytical, decision‑making and problem‑solving skills with a high attention to detail
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to manage competing deadlines and changing priorities
• Strong understanding and commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion

Proof of credentials or equivalencies from accredited regional or federal post secondary institutions and/or their foreign equivalents will be required at the time of job offer.

We are committed to providing persons with disabilities equal opportunities regarding all employment activities, including access to jobs and accommodations during employment as required, in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).