Assistant Director, Finance & Business Administration

Date Posted: 04/23/2025
Req ID:42622
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Office of Planning, Budget & Finance
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

Desciption 

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

The Planning, Budget & Finance Office provides strategic and operational advice on the financial and budget management of the Faculty, as well as internal institutional and Faculty research data and business support services to all of the Faculty’s units. The Office models, plans, and implements the Faculty’s operating budget and provides Faculty-wide support and advice on the management of research, restricted and trust funds; financial analyses and forecasting; strategic planning and budget analysis; policy compliance and develops and delivers finance and business training seminars for A&S academic administrators and administrative staff.

Your opportunity

The Assistant Director, Finance & Business Administration, works independently under the general direction of the Director of Financial & Business Analytics. The incumbent will manage two teams: Financial Administration and Payroll & Accounting.

The Assistant Director develops and implements financial and accounting procedures, business processes, and training plans and has oversight of payroll and accounting processing, and compliance audits for all units (29 departments, 7 colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes, and programs) reporting to the Dean, Faculty of Arts & Science. The incumbent oversees a team of financial administrators who may translate this fulsome administrative support to ad-hoc academic units. The incumbent performs procedures and budget models, develops financial control procedures, and ensures compliance with the University’s financial and accounting policies. The incumbent also manages and produces complex data analysis, complex budget models and operating plans relating to administrative matters, provides related advanced financial management advice. In conjunction with members of the Budget, Planning and Finance team, the incumbent develops and implements annual budget and financial processes for the Arts & Science Dean’s Office and all administrative operations.

The incumbent reviews existing business processes, financial/administrative models, analyzes new pin-depth and initiatives, calculates costs, audits financial models for completeness and viability, prepares audit documents, prepares, and analyzes financial statements and reports using in depth knowledge of the Faculty and University planning environment. The incumbent plays an active role in the development and implementation of the FAS strategic short- and long-range budget plans and models. The incumbent performs operational and departmental audits and makes financial and business recommendations based on findings, including making recommendations on organizational restructuring, enabling data-driven leadership of organizational change within units of the faculty.

Essential Qualifications:

EDUCATION:

• Completion of a University degree and professional accounting designation (CPA) and/or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience. 

EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively senior accounting, financial analysis and budgeting experience, including management of accounting staff.
• Demonstrated project management experience and change management.
• Demonstrated experience in a university setting with in-depth knowledge of accounting principles and practices.
• A good understanding of the university’s organizational structure, including its governance, the University’s mission, and intersection with the broader community.
• Extensive experience with university budgeting and fund accounting. Significant experience with administrative management systems (FIS, HRIS and RIS).
• Strong analytical, writing, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong business acumen and negotiation skills; ability to deal with senior University leaders in a manner which facilitates cooperation and consensus building.
• Comfortable using information technologies (e.g., advanced skills in Microsoft Office, email, Internet, and scheduling software).
• Proven leadership, mentoring and team building skills required.
• Expert knowledge of university policies and procedures and of budgetary and financial procedures

OTHER:

• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative, discretion, and tact; ability to work under pressure; superior organizational skills in planning, project management and task coordination; flexibility and problem solver orientation.
• Highly detail oriented with proven analytical and conceptual thinking skills. Demonstrated ability to plan and execute complex projects and manage conflicting priorities while working toward tight deadlines. Ability to take the initiative and respond to change.
• Effective and creative problem solver, with good judgment. Able to respect matters of a sensitive nature and maintain confidentiality. Ability to lead and assemble working groups and committees to discuss and assess projects that require input from many stakeholders and provide leadership to guide and oversee their efforts. Must be able to translate statistical and analytical results into easily understood terms.

This role is currently eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, pursuant to University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the University of Toronto’s Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

Closing Date: 05/01/2025,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried 
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 5 -- Hiring Zone: $118,368 - $138,097 -- Broadband Salary Range: $118,368 - $197,280
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial