Finance Director

Date Posted: 04/17/2024
Req ID: 36997
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Architecture,Landscape&Design
Department: Daniels Faculty of Arch., Land & Design
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

About us:

The Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto offers graduate programs in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, forestry, and visual studies — as well as unique undergraduate programs that use architectural studies and visual studies as a lens through which students may pursue a broad, liberal arts-based education. Its mission is to educate students, prepare professionals, and cultivate scholars who will play a leading role in creating more culturally engaged, ecologically sustainable, socially just, and artfully conceived environments. The greater Toronto region serves as a dynamic laboratory for both its students and faculty, while the University of Toronto, which year after year ranks among the top universities in the world, provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise that they can draw from. Like Toronto, Daniels students and faculty are incredibly cosmopolitan in sensibility, hailing from every part of the world, with their work crossing all sorts of geographic and cultural boundaries. The city’s multicultural networks and international connections make the Daniels Faculty a powerful place to start a career.

Position Summary:

Under the general direction of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Finance Director is the second most senior financial officer at the Daniels Faculty. The incumbent is responsible for the effective and efficient utilization of the Faculty’s financial resources. The incumbent provides leadership in managing and overseeing all aspects of the financial administration for the faculty including accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, financial accounting and budget planning, internal auditing, financial reporting, contract management, financial analysis, payroll processing, and the design and implementation of proper financial controls to ensure financial integrity is maintained at all times.

The incumbent provides expertise on all financial matters to the CAO and the Dean, associate deans, program directors, directors, faculty, and staff and is a key partner in the achievement of the Faculty's long-term strategic financial goals and objectives. The Finance Director is responsible for preparing budgets for all work units within the Daniels Faculty; in consultation with managing directors forecasting the Faculty’s expenditures; recommending and developing the Faculty’s financial and administrative policies and business processes and systems; ensuring and overseeing the accuracy, security, and integrity of information relating to the Faculty on administrative management systems; and negotiating, and reviewing contracts when asked to do so by the CAO based on knowledge of University policies and procedures, ensuring that the terms and conditions are in the best of interest of the Faculty.

The Finance Director is responsible for the oversight of restricted funds and related reporting. The Finance Director is responsible for managing their direct reports in the Business Services Office and provides them with training, mentoring, coaching, and performance management as required. The incumbent liaises with senior administrators and fellow financial officers centrally and across the University to share information and respond to requests and complex financial inquiries.

The Finance Director develops management reports to assist unit heads in their periodic reviews and decision-making. They work closely with CAO, institutional research groups and IT to seek new business intelligence and financial reporting tools in support of continuous improvement of data identification, analysis and dissemination.  They perform critical analysis of data, applying financial knowledge and expertise to problem solve and assess solutions for internal clients.

The Director provides expert advice and support to the Dean, CAO, and professional and managerial staff on complex payroll/salary administration issues. They interpret related payroll, salary administration, University, CRA, and ESA policies and procedures, as well as associated collective agreements. The incumbent oversees the processing of the monthly and bi-weekly payroll at the Faculty and oversees the coordination of payroll audits. The Director oversees the investigation and resolution of HRIS related issues. The incumbent oversees Faculty payroll systems (HRIS, Kronos, and other systems), and liaise with HR, Central Payroll and HRIS on matters of payroll policy and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: 

I. EDUCATION:

University degree in business/commerce/accounting with a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)  designation or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

II. EXPERIENCE:

Minimum five (5) years in a senior financial management position, with three years managing unionized financial staff preferably in a post- secondary environment or large public sector organization. Previous experience providing senior level fiscal support to academic programs and or multiple administrative units with varying degrees of complexity. Ability to effectively communicate technical accounting principles, ideas and information in written and oral format to administrative staff, professional colleagues, governing boards, and the general public in large or small group settings, including those with little/no accounting knowledge. Demonstrated expertise in budget planning, financial management and control, as well as administration of budget and financial resources. Extensive contract management experience. Experience with strategic planning, scenario analysis, forecasting and experience working in a team environment across diverse constituencies. Experience in the application of sound financial principles and practices. Experience overseeing, and hands-on experience with the payroll function. Experience with AMS(SAP) modules including FIS, Logistics, and HRIS.

III. SKILLS:

Excellent financial management, organizational, and analytical skills. Excellent communication skills. Strong leadership, people management and conflict resolutions skills. Strong problem solving and decision-making skills. Demonstrated superior planning, budgeting and project management skills. Strong computer skills with advanced proficiency in Word, Excel, MS Access, Power Point, SAP and Tableau.

IV. OTHER:

Proven ability to think strategically/see the big picture, build effective teams and work effectively with people at all levels of the organization, work independently as well as part of a team, and ability to be self- directed and take initiative. Demonstrated ability to express and embrace an entrepreneurial spirit. A collaborative and consultative management style as well as the ability to foster and maintain effective relationships with faculty, staff, students, senior administrators, and external constituents. Ability to understand and solve complex problems requiring extensive follow-up with both internal and external constituencies. Ability to analyze and understand problems from multiple perspectives, in order to understand the impact on multiple areas and determine the optimal solution. Ability to balance different opinions and perspectives and find solutions in a positive, consensus-building manner. Ability to challenge ways of current operations/practices. Keen attention to detail and accuracy. Capacity to understand and work with the unique challenges and opportunities presented by a growing professional faculty. Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion, tact, and good judgment at all times. Works effectively with colleagues by practicing respect for deadlines, collaborative problem solving, and open communication. Builds trusting relationships by acting with courtesy, and responsibility, even in the face of stress or demanding workplace conditions.

Closing Date: 05/08/2024,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried 
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 4 -- Hiring Zone: $102,763 - $119,892 -- Broadband Salary Range: $102,763 - $171,273
Job Category: Administrative / Managerial