Director, Financial Services with Simon Fraser University

Founded in 1965, the distinctive character and vision of Simon Fraser University (SFU) are based on three interconnected goals: engaging students; engaging research; and engaging communities. One of the top 100 Employers in Canada, SFU has become Canada's leading comprehensive university with vibrant campuses in British Columbia's largest municipalities — Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey — and deep roots in partner communities throughout the province and around the world.

The Director, Financial Services role comprises a unique opportunity for a proven leader to take on this integrated and multi-faceted position with a purpose-driven organization in beautiful British Columbia. The Director, Financial Services reports to the Associate Vice -President, Finance and leads a team of approximately 20 professional and unionized staff. The role is based at Simon Fraser University’s offices on Burnaby Mountain.

The Director, Financial Services has a mandate to advance the University’s mission and operations through financial leadership, service excellence and innovation. The Director contributes to the Finance leadership team’s overall management of the University’s finances to support and action the University’s plans and ensure financial sustainability. The Director is responsible for providing leadership to the Financial Services team that provides service in the areas of financial reporting, research accounting, specific purpose funds, banking, accounts receivable and student accounts. The Director has a responsibility to develop, implement and keep current key financial policies and critical processes and systems that enable excellence. The Director is expected to apply key expert advisory and technical accounting skills to structure deals to enable University capital.

The candidate must have a university degree, ideally in Business Administration or Commerce, a professional accounting designation and strong knowledge of financial policies, controls and systems. Ideally, the candidate has had at least 12 years of progressively more responsible professional and management experience in complex contexts. Preferably, the candidate has had experience in providing sophisticated deal advisory and technical accounting support to clients and has demonstrated the talent for igniting innovation and successfully implementing change. The candidate must have gravitas, excellent interpersonal and technical accounting skills and a proactive leadership style. Able to identify, assess and manage risk, the candidate must have a genuine interest in the purpose of the University and the ability to build relationships with a diverse array of academic units and administrative departments. A strong mentor, coach and strategic thinker, with super ability to navigate the unique dynamics of a university culture and unionized workplace, the ideal candidate has proven experience in successfully leading business process improvement to support enhanced financial functions in large, complex organizations. With sound judgment, a drive for results and high integrity, the candidate must have excellent planning, problem-solving and negotiation skills and the capacity and passion to build and support a high-performing team in Financial Services. A strong communicator with sound writing and presentation skills, the candidate must be an excellent listener who works collaboratively and creatively to seize opportunities and solve problems.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, in confidence, to search@janetdavid.com. Please quote File#14649. We thank and acknowledge all candidates and will proactively contact those selected for interviews. SFU is committed to the principle of equity in employment and offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants. Qualified citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada will be given priority.