Senior Manager, Finance

Dalhousie University; Halifax; Hybrid; CAD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Halifax is seeking a Senior Manager, Finance to oversee a substantial budget. This role involves financial reporting, strategy development, and team management, requiring strong communication and organizational skills. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree and significant experience in financial management. The position allows for hybrid work, blending in-person and remote responsibilities.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Voluntary RRSP

Health and dental plans

Employee assistance program

Qualifications

• At least 7 years of experience in financial management and administration.
• Experience managing and supervising operational or research budgets in relevant sectors.
• Strong skills in developing and monitoring complex budgets.

Responsibilities

• Manage operating budget over $70M across funding cycles.
• Prepare financial reports for various stakeholders.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop financial strategy.

Skills

Financial management

Budget forecasting

Communication

Record-keeping

Time management

Education

Undergraduate degree in accounting, business, economics, finance, or related field

Tools

Financial software

Collaborative project management software

Job description

Salary $85,000-95,000 per annum (for 37.5 hours/week)

About the Organization

The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN, http://oceantrackingnetwork.org/) is an international marine and freshwater monitoring platform focusing on tracking the movements of aquatic animals in a changing global environment. Established in 2008, OTN is one of 6 Major Research Facilities across Canada supported by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and is fully funded through 2029, with plans for continued support.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Program Director, the Senior Manager, Finance oversees OTN’s operating budget (over $70M across 6-year funding cycles), provides expert financial advice to the leadership team, develops and implements financial processes, and prepares reports for funders and stakeholders. This role involves working closely with management to develop budget forecasts, enhance operational efficiency, and execute the organization’s spending strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the operational budget, including institutional accounts, invoices, and payroll.
• Prepare financial reports for the funding agency (annually), governance councils (quarterly), and senior management (monthly).
• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and implement OTN’s financial strategy.
• Lead internal audit processes and proactive risk management related to financial risks.
• Coordinate budget preparation for new funding initiatives and maintain up-to-date spending forecasts.
• Supervise financial administration staff, typically 1-2 direct reports, delegating tasks as appropriate.

Note

The successful candidate will be eligible for hybrid work, combining in-person work on campus and remote work within Nova Scotia, based on operational needs and university guidelines.

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in accounting, business, economics, finance, or a related field, with at least 7 years of experience in financial management and administration.
• Experience managing and supervising operational or research budgets in academia, NGOs, or business, supporting non-finance managers.
• Strong skills in financial management, including developing and monitoring complex multi-million-dollar budgets, forecasting, and reporting. Proficiency in financial software for report automation is essential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of summarizing complex financial data for diverse audiences.
• Meticulous record-keeping skills for tracking multi-million-dollar projects.
• Effective time management skills, able to work in a fast-paced environment and meet multiple deadlines.

Assets

• CPA and/or MBA designation.
• Experience with collaborative project management software (e.g., Asana).

Additional Information

Dalhousie University promotes a healthy, balanced lifestyle with a comprehensive benefits package, including voluntary RRSP, health and dental plans, and an employee assistance program.

Application Consideration

We thank all applicants; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University values inclusive excellence and encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black/African descent individuals, other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, and all who contribute to our community’s diversity. In line with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given to candidates from these groups. For more information, visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.