Vice-President, Finance & Administration

Wilfrid Laurier University; Waterloo; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent Canadian university is seeking an experienced Vice-President of Finance & Administration. This role involves strategic financial leadership, operational effectiveness, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a strong financial background, a collaborative leadership style, and significant experience in higher education or a similar public sector environment. The position is focused on achieving financial sustainability and enhancing administrative services across the multi-campus structure.

Benefits

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Support for applicants with disabilities

Qualifications

• 10 years of progressive senior financial and administrative experience.
• Experience in an academic environment with a focus on financial operations.
• Proven accomplishments in senior administrative roles.

Responsibilities

• Leads financial and administrative services to support university missions.
• Co-leads the planning and implementation of the university budget.
• Provides efficient administrative support and financial services.

Skills

Collaborative leadership

Change management

Financial knowledge

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Chartered Professional Accountant designation or MBA

Job description

Wilfrid Laurier University is seeking a highly experienced and strategic professional to serve as Vice-President, Finance & Administration.

Laurier is a comprehensive, multi-campus university that excels at inspiring lives of leadership and purpose. The university’s programs provide a broad spectrum of traditional and innovative learning across arts and social sciences, business and economics, music, science, social work, and education. Laurier’s holistic approach integrates learning inside and outside the classroom. Students gain both the knowledge and skills needed to succeed and the inspiration to make their mark.

Laurier has been ranked highly in student satisfaction, thanks to its unique community-centered culture. From day one, students feel welcomed and find their place in the many faculties, clubs, teams, and associations Laurier has to offer. Students build supportive and collaborative relationships with faculty and staff, as well as lasting connections to the communities in which they live, learn, and work. Thousands of engaged alumni carry the Laurier legacy throughout the world. Through its community of researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as an institution known for its academic excellence and community engagement. Laurier ranks in top .

The university has over 22,000 students, campuses in Waterloo, Brantford, and Milton, and has a Faculty of Social Work in Kitchener and research facilities in the Northwest Territories.

Laurier is committed to partnerships and collaborations aligned with our academic priorities. It consists of almost 600 researchers in nine faculties who address the most pressing local and global challenges through a highly interactive and interdisciplinary academic community. The University supports 23 research centres and institutes that stimulate innovation and attract research funding while emphasizing graduate and undergraduate research scholarship.

Reporting to the President & Vice-Chancellor and serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, the Vice-President, Finance and Administration (VP F&A) employs a collegial and collaborative style of decision-making and leadership over a broad portfolio of financial and administrative services in support of the academic, research, and community engagement missions of the university.

The VP F&A is integral to the achievement of the university’s goals, with a focus on financial sustainability, administrative and operational effectiveness and efficiency, enterprise risk management, and a strong service orientation in providing responsive, efficient, and accessible administrative support and financial services to meet the needs of Laurier’s multi-campus university. There is a focus on responsiveness to academic, administrative, and student user needs across the portfolio.

The VP F&A portfolio consists of financial resources, facilities and asset management, information communication technology, risk management (including community safety, enterprise risk management, and insurance), ancillary services, and internal audit.

The VP F&A co-leads with the Provost & VP Academic the planning and implementation of the university budget, including multi-year planning and strategic resource allocation in support of institutional priorities. The VP F&A co-leads with the VP Student Affairs the Student & Ancillary Services portfolio, focused on campus safety (Special Constable Service), exceptional service, revenue growth, and business development in areas such as Housing & Residence Services, Food Services, Laurier One Card, Conference Services, Retail Operations, and Printing / Distribution.

Wilfrid Laurier University seeks an experienced leader with significant exposure to the functions within this portfolio, and strengths in collaborative leadership and change management. Applicants should have a record of accomplishment in a large, complex organization, preferably a university or equivalent public sector organization, and have proven ability to work collaboratively and collegially with diverse stakeholders. A consultative leadership style, a strong service orientation, a bias for action, excellent communication skills, and an approach that earns trust and respect are essential. Candidates must hold a university degree and possess additional relevant experience, demonstrating strategic leadership and innovative thinking.

The next Vice-President, Finance and Administration, will possess:

• A bachelor’s degree is required; a Chartered Professional Accountant designation or Master of Business Administration is strongly preferred, along with at least 10 years of progressive senior financial and administrative experience demonstrating leadership.
• Experience in an academic or comparable organizational environment with a focus on financial and administrative operations.
• Proven accomplishments in senior administrative roles, strong financial knowledge, and significant experience managing change in complex environments, including strategic planning and budget management.
• Leadership skills and success in developing a vision and leading teams to achieve high performance.
• Ability to work collaboratively with broad stakeholder groups, emphasizing service provision, transparency, and accountability.
• Extensive experience in planning and managing institution-wide budgets in complex settings with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of capital facilities and technology planning and management.
• Experience with technology infrastructure and policy oversight is an asset.
• An innovative and entrepreneurial perspective applied to revenue-generating portfolios.
• Strong communication skills, capable of conveying complex financial information effectively to diverse audiences.
• Ability to build partnerships and rapport across all levels of the organization and with external partners, including government and funders.
• Problem-solving skills and a focus on operational effectiveness and continuous improvement.

To learn more or request the Executive Brief, contact Katherine Frank or Beth McLennan. Completed applications should be submitted online at .

Wilfrid Laurier University values diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from Indigenous candidates, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and members of minority sexual and gender identities. For more information on equity and inclusive programming, candidates are encouraged to contact the university.

Wilfrid Laurier University and KBRS support applicants with disabilities in the recruitment process and are committed to providing accommodations as needed.