Vice President, Finance - St. Francis Xavier University

Royer Thompson; Antigonish; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS seeks a forward-thinking VP, Finance to provide strategic financial leadership and stewardship in support of the University’s academic mission and long-term sustainability.

Reporting to the President, the VP will oversee Financial Services, drive modernization, and partner across senior leadership to advance priorities, capital planning, and risk management. CPA designation and higher education experience are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Senior financial leadership experience in complex organizations.
• Strong financial acumen across strategy, cash flow, treasury and risk.
• Ability to advise executives and boards with clear communication.
• Experience in coordinating budgeting, governance and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of post-secondary funding and government reporting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership and stewardship for the University.
• Lead Financial Services including budgeting, procurement, and financial reporting.
• Collaborate with Academic VP and senior leaders to align priorities with strategy.
• Drive modernization and evidence-based decision making across the enterprise.

Skills

Senior financial leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder communication

Change management

Education

CPA designation

Post-secondary education in finance or business

Job description

St. Francis Xavier University is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw people. We honour their enduring stewardship and commit to advancing reconciliation through learning, reflection and action. We are all Treaty People.

St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) is one of Canada's leading primarily undergraduate universities, recognized for excellence in teaching, research, community engagement, and student success. Located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, StFX offers an immersive learning environment through its Faculties of Arts, Science, and Education; the Gerald Schwartz School of Business; the Rankin School of Nursing; and the Coady Institute. Home to approximately 5,000 students, 250 faculty members, and 460 staff, the University is supported by an engaged global alumni network of more than 50,000. StFX is known for fostering intellectual growth, leadership, service, and lifelong connections while advancing its commitment to community development and social justice.

StFX is seeking a forward-thinking, inclusive, and collegial leader to serve as its next Vice President (VP), Finance. This is a significant leadership opportunity at an important time for StFX and the Canadian post-secondary sector. Building on a proud tradition, a strong sense of community, and a deeply held commitment to student success, the University is looking to advance its priorities with creativity and focus on emerging opportunities to enhance resilience, invest strategically, and expand the University’s capacity to achieve its goals. The VP will help shape thoughtful, forward-looking choices that strengthen StFX’s long-term position.

Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor and serving as a key member of StFX’s executive leadership team, the VP, Finance will provide strategic financial leadership, oversight, and stewardship in support of the University’s academic mission, distinctive student experience, and long-term sustainability. In close partnership with the Academic Vice President and Provost, senior leaders, the Board of Governors and the broader University community, the Vice President will bring an enterprise-wide perspective to financial planning, budgeting, resource allocation, risk, and institutional priorities.

The Vice President leads Financial Services, including Accounts Payable, Financial Reporting, Procurement Services, Student Accounts and Risk Management, and will position the portfolio as a trusted, responsive partner to the University. Combining strong financial acumen with integrity, sound judgment and a collaborative approach, they will advance modernization, evidence-based decisions, and service excellence, while empowering a high-performing team.

The successful candidate will bring senior financial leadership experience in complex organizations, with a track record of improving financial performance, and a post-secondary education in finance, business or a relevant discipline. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation is required. Higher education experience and experience in a unionized environment is an asset. The VP combines strong financial acumen across strategy, capital planning, cash flow, treasury, debt and risk with sound knowledge of accounting, fund accounting, financial reporting, controls and governance. Knowledge of post-secondary reporting requirements and government funding is preferred. They will have demonstrated success leading change, improving operations, advising executives and boards, communicating complex matters clearly, and building trust across diverse stakeholder groups. Experience supporting collective bargaining, complex contracts, government funding, partnerships or asset strategy is an asset.

To learn more about St. Francis Xavier University, please visit: https://www.stfx.ca/

StFX is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. StFX encourages applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), racialized persons (especially African Nova Scotians), persons with disabilities, those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ and any others who would contribute to the diversity of our community.

If you are a member of one of these underrepresented groups, we invite you to self-identify on your cover letter or resume.

StFX is committed to the elimination of barriers to participation for persons with disabilities. If you require an accommodation(s) to participate in the application, interviewing or selection process, please contact Georgia Jones at [e-mail].

For further information about this opportunity, please contact Erica Armstrong ([e-mail]), or Dr. Dominique Roche ([e-mail]) in confidence.