Finance Director, VP Research & Innovation

Job title: Finance Director, VP Research & Innovation

Job description: Staff – Non Union

Job Category M&P – AAPS

Job Profile AAPS Salaried – Accounting, Level G

Job Title Finance Director, VP Research & Innovation

Department Comptroller’s Leadership and Support | Office of the Comptroller | VP Finance and Operations

Compensation Range $10,274.08 – $16,052.83 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date December 16, 2022

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Job Summary

The Financial Director, Vice President Research and Innovation (VPRI) portfolio is accountable to the University Comptroller, and the Managing Director, Research Support Services for financial strategies, budget, management reporting and capital planning within the VPRI portfolio. The Comptroller’s Team is comprised of portfolio Finance Directors for Vice President portfolios, and Assistant Deans/Finance Officers for the Faculties.

This position is accountable to the VP Research and Innovation for supporting the attainment of UBC s mission by providing financial leadership, vision and direction to the units within the VPRI portfolio. The Finance Director is responsible for providing strategic financial leadership as member of the various senior management teams within the VPRI portfolio. The position also manages the operations and performance effectiveness of the finance units within the portfolio. The scope includes: 1) Animal Care Centre 2) Institutional Programs Office 3) Office of Research Service 4) Support Programs to Advance Research Capacity (SPARC) 5) University-Industry Liaison Office 6) Ethics 7) Research Finance Department 8) UBC Press and 9) UBC Innovation Unit. 10) VPRI office. 11) Peter Wall Institute. 12) Advanced Research Computing (ARC) 13) Sequencing and Bioinformatics Consortium (SBC) 14) Entrepreneurship at UBC (e@UBC) 15) Indigenous Research Support Unit. 16) e@UBC unit. This position is responsible for approximately 14 staff members.

UBC is a major research-intensive university in Canada with over $1 billion dollars in research infrastructure funding and an annual research budget of over $750 million. Vice President, Research & Innovation portfolio oversees UBC s research infrastructure, strategy and innovation engagement, a central component of the UBC s mandate as a public university. The total VPRI Finance Director s portfolio consists of approximately 14 staff.

As a member of the VPRI senior leadership team, the Finance Director provides strategic advice to the Vice-President of Research & Innovation and to the directors of 16 VPRI units within the portfolio. Forecasting for the units are not as straightforward as they have diverse and mixed revenue streams. Some are heavily impacted by the market conditions, and some relying on sales and government grants that are constantly changing. For example, for ACS, the Finance Director and team not only need to produce regular forecasting for operations, they also need to have a good understanding of the ACS industry in order to accurately forecast for the infrastructure including capital maintenance.

In addition to managing the portfolio budget of $58M, the Finance Director provides strategic and management support for key initiatives that have significant impact on the research community such as Share Research Platform (SRP). The research landscape is complicated and evolving, it requires strategic thinking skills to produce accurate forecasting based on emerging needs of the research community. Accurate financial information are also critical to assist the VP in making informed decisions given the constant changes in the research field.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Comptroller and to the Managing Director, Research Support Services. Is a member of the senior management teams in each of the units within the portfolio and provides strategic financial, business planning and reporting expertise.

Work is done in collaboration with VPs, Treasury, Budget and Management Reporting, Payments and Procurement Services, Financial Reporting, Internal Audit, IT Services, other Portfolio Directors and external agencies, internal/external auditors, provincial and federal governments, and others as required.

Work Performed

Integral member of the senior leadership team(s) within the diverse and complex units of the VPRI portfolio. The position works with the senior teams to deliver effective strategic planning, direction and recommendations to support the VPRI objectives. Ensures all interests, including financial resources are accurately represented in ensuring priorities can be delivered.

Key contributor in setting the overall strategic plan within each unit, including working with the VPRI executive team to specify the business unit‘s objectives, develop policies and plans to achieve these objectives and allocate resources to implement the plans

Responsible for directing the financial planning (including budgeting, forecasting, analysis, reporting, accounting, and business processes) for the operating business units within the VPRI portfolio

Leads strategic planning, direction, leadership and management related to the finance units within the VPRI portfolio

Leads discussions, complex analysis and recommendations regarding financial decisions regarding VPRI units including costing strategies and charges as the units and UBC evolve to deliver on strategic and operational priorities.

Leads the implementation of and communication of budget policy and priorities throughout the portfolios.

In charge of reviewing and establishing management reporting within the units to ensure effective presentation of key data required for operational management

Provides financial analysis, forecasting and monthly and quarterly reporting of expenditures. Reports and explanations for large variances are provided to the appropriate VP/unit head and the Senior University Administration.

Leads the annual budgeting process to ensure best practices are followed

Provides a leadership role in establishing improved work processes & customer service

Manages finance resources/staff to deliver timely and efficient financial advice and support pertaining to the VPRI portfolio units

Directs the financial operations in such a way as to capitalize on business opportunities and challenges and positions the VPRI units for success and institutional effectiveness

Leads Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives to improve business processes at UBC. Develops and drives the measurement of key performance indicators for VPRI and ensures alignment of strategic and operational plans with department and university objectives and goals.

Directs the financial operations to capitalize on business opportunities and challenges and positions the VPRI for continuous success and operational excellence.

Understands and promotes consistent application of the University s finance and purchasing policies and procedures

Performs business process reviews, re-engineering and develops new processes and procedures to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Makes recommendations to senior management for changes to procedures relating to improved financial control or accountability. Advises senior management on the internal control environment; financial risk, business risk and control risk.

Represents VPRI Portfolio interests in negotiations concerning financial management and resource allocations

Leads discussions regarding financial matters pertaining to VPRI units including rate setting, cost recovery strategies and charges Manages debt repayments, debt restructuring and debt review for the Portfolios

Lead the development of strong internal controls for safeguarding the University’s assets

Liaises with internal and external auditors from major funding agencies.

Keeps abreast of changes / updates to legal issues involving accounting standards and is current in terms of changes or new directions affecting the accounting profession

Other duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position has direct influence on the strategic and operating decisions made by the units within the VPRI portfolio. The level of complexity is increased by the number of different operating units within the portfolio, and the evolving changes of funding landscape. Errors in judgment, decision making and financial plans will have serious impacts on the financial viability of the operating units as well as have significant impacts on the operating budget of the University, thereby affecting the campus community. Errors could result in financial losses and damage the reputation of the University. A high degree of judgment, technical expertise and strategic thinking is required.

Supervision Received

Works with a high degree of independence under the broad direction of the University Comptroller and the Managing Director, Research Support Services.

Supervision Given

Responsible for the overall management of the Finance units within VP, Research & Innovation portfolio comprised of approximately 14 staff

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and Completion of an accredited Accounting program (CA, CGA or CMA).Minimum of 10 years experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Minimum ten years of related experience including experience in management, technology systems development, design and implementation and

accounting, auditing, budgeting and financial planning, (preferably in a unionized environment in a large private organization or the public sector) or the equivalent combination of education and experience. 3 years experience in a related senior financial role with similar scope and accountability. – Excellent written and verbal communication.

Ability to work creatively, resourcefully and effectively with a strong leadership group

Ability to identify as well as resolve problems and to take initiative in improving the work and reputation of VPRI and UBC

Ability to effectively lead other finance and administrative staff

Skill in conflict resolution an asset

Extensive skill-set and understanding of multiple business models and budgeting processes is required

Ability to interpret financial data at a high level and to present findings developed from a compilation of complex and possibly disparate financial data is desired.

Strong strategic planning and leadership skills is desired

Ability to exercise tact and discretion as required in implementing new policies and solutions to sensitive problems.

Ability to influence others to choose the most beneficial option when several exist is an asset.

Strong organizational skills, ability to manage and prioritize the work of others and adhere to schedules.

Ability to work and communicate effectively with colleagues in other departments and at all levels of the University administration as well as with external clients.

Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

Company: University of British Columbia

Expected salary:

Location: Canada

Job date: Sun, 27 Nov 2022 02:15:30 GMT

Job Source: Careerjet.ca

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