Senior Finance Partner

Competition 893

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

In accordance with the Handbook of Terms and Conditions of Employment for Management and Professional Staff (Excluded), this full-time continuing position offers a comprehensive benefits package found at Faculty & Staff Benefits and an annual salary range that will be commensurate with qualifications.

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 14,000 faculty and staff, over 40,000 students and 260,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for Finance, Procurement and Planning 

Finance, Procurement and Planning is responsible for financial reporting, resource planning, procurement, investments & treasury, and risk management & insurance. We have a team of service partners who work closely with the faculties, units and staff across the institution to provide excellent client service.

Working as a Senior Finance Partner

Are you an ambitious, collaborative and service-focused professional who loves to work in a dynamic and challenging environment? 

Someone who is excited by change and new challenges? 

We are looking for highly motivated and experienced individuals to join our Finance Partnership team!

Reporting to the Director, Finance Partnerships, the Senior Finance Partner delivers financial advice, guidance and solutions to the Academic and Administrative Leaders.  Senior Finance Partners draw on their deep understanding of the University, its operations and its challenges to deliver appropriate financial solutions to an assigned area.

The Senior Finance Partner actively engages with colleagues in the Processing Hub and Finance Centres of Expertise in order to deliver results focused on financial solutions.  The Senior Finance Partners provide strategic support, ensure that policy and strategy is applied appropriately and facilitate connection to services in central functions. 

Duties

• Provide direct leadership to a team of Finance Partners who provide professional financial advice and solutions to their clients to best support their academic, teaching and service missions.
• Provide senior leadership professional expertise and strategic counsel on financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, modeling, reporting, and financial analysis. Units this role supports are: project management office, utilities, building services, maintenance and repairs, space management, real estate, campus, and recreational and ancillary services.
• Participate in the strategic planning process in the assigned area(s)
• Ensure the consistent application of financial policies and procedures by educating the assigned area(s) leadership about applicable University of Alberta policies, and procedures, as well as the applicable accounting principles and standards.
• Find and support creative, client-focused solutions to the assigned area(s) financial challenges with analytical, interpretative, and/or constructive thinking that must also comply with University policy, procedure, and process support and guidance in the preparation of business cases for new programs or services.
• Work with assigned area(s) leadership to prepare long-range budget plans that align with the long-term priorities, including detailed forecasts utilizing the Senior Finance Partner’s in-depth knowledge and understanding of the client to provide insight and decision support at the strategic level.
• Work with assigned area(s) leadership to develop criteria for the allocation of resources as well as resource shortfalls/cuts and develop recommendations and guidance for budget allocations.
• Plan, implement and oversee the financial operations for assigned areas which are generally large enough to have multiple and varied funding sources and complex accounting compliance requirements.
• Ad hoc reporting and tools to assist with the assigned area(s) effective financial management.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree and an Accounting Designation (CPA or equivalent). Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• 5 to 10 years of progressive leadership experience in overseeing complex administrative, academic-support and/or service-based functions.
• Experience within a large post-secondary environment is preferred.
• Proven experience and ability to manage multiple budgets and operational models.
• Strong capital background is required (including capital planning, deferred maintenance, repairs and maintenance, etc).
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to negotiate, consult, influence and build consensus at the highest levels.
• Exceptional analytical and conceptual skills with proven ability to adapt to new situations and develop creative solutions to complex strategic and operational challenges.
• Outstanding planning skills and a demonstrated ability to establish and communicate a long-term strategic vision and manage large-scale resources in a complex organization.
• Superior leadership and management skills including experience in leading transformational change.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work both independently as well as play a role within a cohesive team of professionals
• Extensive knowledge of financial reporting and budgeting especially as it pertains to financial performance measurement
• In all facets of this role, the Senior Finance Partner endeavors to integrate and advance the University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusivity.