Director, Budget and Resource Planning

The Opportunity - Mount Royal University

The Director, Budget and Resource Planning is responsible for planning and managing the University’s operational and capital planning processes, developing budgets, and recommending resource allocation. The Director is responsible for implementing the MRU budget and planning framework. Administratively, the Director reports to the AVP, Finance.

Functionally, the Director maintains close coordination with the Vice President, Finance and Administration on the four phases of the budget and planning framework, establishes budgetary and financial planning parameters, oversees the operating and capital budget processes, and controls and provides on-going decision-support analysis and recommendations.

The Director maintains close working relationships with the Provost Office, Academic Affairs and Finance Roles in faculties and support units.

The Director participates in the University’s strategic planning and implementation efforts and integrates strategic priorities and resource allocations. The position is also responsible for directing research and financial analysis on new program initiatives and other issues that have a significant financial impact on the University.

The Director is a key participant in long-term planning and goal setting for faculties, departments, units and anticipated resource needs to support the growth and development of the University. The role is responsible for overseeing a robust University wide budget management information system. The Director works with University Executives and the Leadership team on meeting budget priorities and funding needs throughout the year.

Key Accountabilities

The Director, in partnership with the AVP, Finance and with support from VP, Finance and Administration (VPFA), manages all aspects of the Budget Office including the daily activities of the University budget while ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, regulations and statutes.

Specific duties include:

• Utilizing a collaborative and collegial style, plans and directs the annual institutional budgeting process in a coordinated, transparent and consultative manner utilizing an integrated planning approach.
• In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, develops and maintains a University Integrated Planning Framework that informs and supports University budget decisions. Coordinates the internal budgeting processes to ensure compatibility with the institutional goals and objectives to ensure that the budget is developed in alignment with the resources available, and to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the budgeting process.
• Working closely with relevant stakeholders such as institutional planning, faculties and enrollment develops University wide budgeting and planning assumptions and parameters for the University’s operating budget, a five-year capital budget, and a long-term financial model. Oversees four phases of the University’s budget cycle: planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. Ensures planning assumptions are well supported by environmental and operational contexts.
• Develops, evolves and maintains the long-term financial planning model and scenario planning to support sound fiscal management of University resources.
• Develops the criteria, formats and guidance to be used by all programs in the preparation of their annual budget submissions and budget requests.
• Develops robust budget monitoring and review mechanisms utilizing a budget management information system approach.
• Analyzes budget and actual trends, interprets and communicates budget results to a variety of audiences including the Provost Office, Faculties, Departments and Units, Finance Committee, Executive Leadership Team and broader campus community.
• Works closely with the VPFA to develop, analyze, and present budget information as is necessary for financial analysis and forecasting, evaluation of programs and internal allocations, and to support sound executive decision making.
• Working closely with finance resources ensures faculty, department and unit level budgets align to overall University planning assumptions and financial management framework.
• Develops, recommends and implements financial planning policies and guidelines to support long term financial modeling and financial support for the University’s strategic plan.
• Directs studies and analysis of budget and planning information to respond to internal and external queries and provide critical management information and other analysis to senior decision-makers.
• Supervises and coordinates the University’s fiscal year end reconciliation between budget and audit results.

The Person – Qualifications and Attributes

• Bachelor's degree with accounting major required; Master of Business Administration (MBA) preferred. CPA designation required.
• 10 - 12 years of directly related experience; 8-10 years of progressive leadership experience; 5-7 years of experience developing and managing large, complex budgets in a multi-stakeholder environment. Post-secondary experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience with developing and managing budgets exceeding $200M annually required; post-secondary education budgeting experience ($200M+) preferred.
• Complex accounting expertise for full-cycle, financial statement and budget reporting in the post-secondary industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in implementing a systems approach and in-depth knowledge of budget systems.
• Business experience and awareness of impact and opportunities for MRU given business, economic and regulatory developments.
• Leadership skills for a large and diverse complement of staff to lead, mentor, direct and coach for optimal service to the University.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work with limited direction and devise operational processes from broad objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to remain current in technical accounting and managerial knowledge through active learning activities.
• Excellent negotiating, conflict resolution, leadership, managerial, and planning skills.
• Ability to work well and manage staff to adhere to strict and tight timelines, through patience, understanding, and a strong work ethic.

Compensation

A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits. A relocation package will be provided if required. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

Express Your Enthusiasm

Email a cover letter and tailored resume to calgary@leadersinternational.com to the attention of Shalini Bhatty or Heather Fookes indicating the job title in the subject line of the email.