Senior Director, Budget and FP&A Transformation – University of British Columbia

Title of the Job: Senior Director, Budget and FP&A Transformation

Location: Vancouver, BC

Job Description: Staff – Non UnionJob Category M&P – Excluded M&PJob Profile XMP – Accounting, Level IJob Title Senior Director, Budget and FP&A TransformationDepartment Comptroller’s Leadership and Support | Office of the Comptroller | VP Finance and OperationsCompensation Range $12,755.08 – $19,905.67 CAD MonthlyThe Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.Posting End Date October 24, 2024Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.Job End DateAt UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students, and is essential to fostering an outstanding work environment. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.Job SummaryThe Senior Director, Budget and Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), is a critical leadership role dedicated to advancing the FP&A functions at the University of British Columbia (UBC). This position is designed to enhance efficiency, modernize financial processes, and establish a robust framework for budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning. The incumbent will provide strategic leadership in budget reimagination, enhanced reporting reviews, and advanced forecasting methodologies. This position works directly with department heads, stakeholders, and other key units within the university and reports directly to the Comptroller.Organizational StatusReports directly to the Comptroller. Provides strategic leadership of assigned areas within FP&A, as well as vision and direction to Faculty and Admin leaders and financial professionals as it relates to the budget and FP&A activities.Work PerformedTransformative Leadership in FP&AUnder the direction of the Comptroller, lead the transformation of FP&A functions across UBC.Oversees the development and executes innovative financial plans aligned with the university’s long-term strategic objectives.Leads a comprehensive review of the current funding model, examining budget models and identifying areas for improvement.Develops and implements innovative budget and funding strategies that align with UBC’s goals.Develops and manages a unified budget calendar, streamlining timelines and deadline for entire consolidated FP&A process. Communicates and enforces the unified timeline across all departments and stakeholders.Ensure transparent communication of consolidated budget decision and allocations to all stakeholders. Provide clear and comprehensive explanations for consolidated financial performance and variances.Financial Efficacy and StandardizationWorks with internal and external stakeholders to standardize and enhance current budget guidelines for all departments across the University. Conduct training sessions to ensure consistent understanding and adherence to the new budgeting principles.Fosters advanced finance and accounting practices through collaboration and knowledge-sharing through a centralized budgeting processCreates a finance and accounting community of practice which will facilitate regular collaborative meetings with budget officers, department heads, and stakeholders to advance finance and accounting practices.Develops and implements a transparent and integrated resource allocation model that aligns with strategic priorities and partners across the finance functions to ensure controls safeguard UBC’s financial assets. Establishes criteria for resource allocation, ensuring equity and efficiency across the university.Identify discrepancies, develops efficiencies and works with department heads to ensure implementation of corrective actions based on consolidated variance analysis findings.Responsible for supporting the Comptroller in Board of Governors presentations and requests.Ensures transparent communication of consolidated budget decision and allocations to all stakeholders. Provide clear and comprehensive explanations for consolidated financial performance and variances.Continuous ImprovementWorks with senior financial leadership teams across the university and conducts regular reviews to identify areas of improvement. Provides appropriate analysis, recommendation and implements as required.Leads efforts to identify, assess, and manage financial risks associated with the budget and FP&A processes.Develops and implements risk mitigation strategies and regularly updates risk assessments.Oversees the development of advanced forecasting models for the entire University, engages with key stakeholders as required.Cultivates a culture within the FP&A function of continuous improvement and technological advancement to enhance FP&A tools and data analytics.Unified Performance MetricsIn collaboration with the SD, Financial Business Intelligence, defines and monitors unified key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with UBC’s consolidated financial and strategic objectives. Regularly report on consolidated financial performance metrics to executive leadership.Comprehensive Scenario AnalysisLead scenario analysis efforts to evaluate various financial contingencies and risks.Works closely with the Treasury, Strategic Initiatives and Analysis department to lead efforts to identify, assess and manage financial risks associated with budget and FP&A processes.Develops and implements robust risk mitigation strategies and provides regular updates on risk assessments.Renew and Align Capital PlanningRenew and align capital planning with UBC’s strategic vision, sustainability goals, and campus development priorities.Work with the Treasury area and relevant departments to ensure capital planning supports UBC’s long-term objectives.Consequence of Error/JudgementThis position has responsibility for the completion and accuracy of the University’s budget and financial planning and reporting. The level of complexity is increased by the number of different departments within the portfolio. Errors in judgment, decision-making, and financial plans will have serious impacts on the financial viability of the operating units as well as have significant impacts on the operating budget of the University, thereby affecting the campus community. Errors could result in financial losses and damage the reputation of the University, thereby affecting the campus community. Errors could result in financial losses and damage the reputation of the University. A high degree of judgment, technical expertise and strategic thinking is required.Supervision ReceivedWorks with a high degree of independence under the direction of the Comptroller.Supervision GivenWorks with a team of financial professionals within the FP&A team as well as finance professionals in Faculties and Administrative units.Minimum Qualifications – Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own– Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusionPreferred QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).Completion of the CPA accounting program (CA, CGA or CMA).Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in financial planning, analysis, and budgeting, preferably within higher education or large organizations.Strong leadership skills with a proven track record in leading transformation projects and managing cross-functional teams.Proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting techniques, and data analytics.Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.Demonstrated ability to drive change and work effectively in a complex, matrixed environment.Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP) and advanced FP&A software preferred.Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of budget and financial planning and analysis.Finance and operation experience in an academic setting preferred. Familiarity with university research, teaching and learning environments and UBC policies and procedures preferred.Proficiency in creating financial models to predict future financial performanceExperience in managing a number of financial professionals. Some tax knowledge as well as policy analysis, ability to write management reports and assessing the adequacy of internal controls, and ability to engage with senior levels management in an organization are musts.Results oriented with specific orientation to problem solving and analytical skillsAbility to identify key issues and relationship relevant to achieving long term resultsAdvanced ability to deal with ambiguity in a fast-paced environment while managing competing prioritiesConsistent track record of building processes and procedures that can be scaledAbility to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally and make effective Board level presentations.Additional qualifications include demonstrated experience in:business process improvementFinancial management and business process improvement techniquesWorking with and writing financial policiesWriting management reportsLeading teams with an ability to implement strategic change and motivate staffStrategic planning in a complex business environmentThinking creatively, strategically and applying sound judgmentWorking under pressure to meet deadlines. – working independently and as part of a teamOral and written communicationPublic speaking skillsExcellent interpersonal skillsComplex problem solvingCore Competencies:Progressive people leadership experience to support the team member lifecycle, including a solid structure to support growth and development in an evolving, complex environmentBroad based business acumen such as understanding foundational operations that run in a large organization, including progressive experience in strategic planning and operations strategiesStrong understanding of capital and project management conceptsDemonstrated ability to disseminate complex data and engage in the broad story, including risk management competencies to ensure best option decision makingDemonstrated ability to drive alignment with a diverse group of senior level stakeholders on value-add strategic and operational prioritiesDemonstrated ability to influence and implement change to ensure financial and business best practiceExcellent communication and engagement skills to ensure the Finance function delivers against objectives and KPI’sDemonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement programs/projects to support operational excellenceInclusive and collaborative leadership style, continuously working to effectively engage diverse groups and team members in supporting UBC’s values and purpose

Company Name: University of British Columbia

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