Business Officer, Acceleration Consortium

Date Posted: 06/05/2023
Req ID: 31278
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Acceleration Consortium
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00054601

Description:

About us:

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 reflects the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Art's & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed how we think about the world.


Your opportunity:

The Acceleration Consortium (AC) at the University of Toronto (U of T) is leading a transformative shift in scientific discovery that will accelerate technology development and commercialization. The AC is a global community of academia, industry, and government that leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, materials sciences, and high-throughput chemistry to create self-driving laboratories (SDLs), also called materials acceleration platforms (MAPs). These autonomous labs rapidly design materials and molecules needed for a sustainable, healthy, and resilient future, with applications ranging from renewable energy and consumer electronics to drugs. AC Staff Scientists will advance the infield of AI-driven autonomous discovery and develop the materials and molecules required to address society’s largest challenges, such as climate change, water pollution, and future pandemics.

The Acceleration Consortium received a $200M Canadian First Research Excellence Grant for seven years to develop self-driving labs for chemistry and materials, the largest ever grant to a Canadian University. 

Under the general direction of the Executive Director, the Business Officer is responsible for overseeing the Acceleration Consortum's business and financial resources, budgeting and payroll, human resources and facilities and office management.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Forecasting, planning and monitoring multiple complex budgets; Analyzing financial trends and preparing analytical reports and forecasts for management decision-making; Monitoring department budget to ensure expenditures remain within budgeted allocations
• Applying the University Guide to Financial Management and other applicable policies, agency and regulatory requirements; Keeping well-informed on changes to policies, procedures, collective agreements, and applicable legislated requirements.
• Developing and revising business methods that support administrative workflow and objectives
• Producing complex statistical and/or financial reports. Developing and revising business methods that support administrative workflow and objectives. Processing payroll and entering salary and/or personnel information in HRIS
• Implementing plans and process improvements for financial administration activities; Maintaining filing systems and file retention programs. Maintaining office supply inventories
• Developing and maintaining procedures for the use of space and equipment. Determining logistical details required for office renovations and moves
• Maintaining an inventory of furniture and equipment. Coordinating the proper disposal of capital assets with others.
• Identifying and reporting facility repair and/or maintenance needs. Submitting service orders.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in commerce, business, accounting, finance or related disciplines, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience administering a complex work unit with financial management experience, including overseeing, planning and preparing complex operating budgets and research grants; forecasting, managing, and analyzing budgets and statistical information; reporting, monitoring and reconciling financial activity and payroll distribution, including preparing financial statements.
• Experience overseeing administrative operations, including financial management, human resources administration, and processing financial and payroll transactions
• Experience maintaining financial and personnel records and with the University’s financial/payroll and HR policies or other similar policies.
• Experience with policies and procedures related to collective agreements (e.g. USW) and other similar unionized groups.
• Experience working with procurement services, negotiating terms and drafting contracts with external contractors and vendors.
• Advanced skills working in FIS and HRIS or similar administrative systems.
• Demonstrated advanced skills in Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and databases.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and time-management skills, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Aptitude for numbers and analyses is able to multi-task and has solid problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

To be successful in this role, you will be:

• Efficient
• Meticulous
• Organized
• Procedural
• Team player

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.

Internal applicants may request a copy of the job description by contacting: adminhr.artsci@utoronto.ca.

Closing Date: 06/15/2023, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type: Grant - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:  
USW Pay Band 14 -- $81,000 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $103,588. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial
Recruiter: Kecha Holland

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.