The University of Calgary Looking for Associate Director, Research Accounting, Finance at Calgary, AB Full Time

Position Overview

Research Accounting within Finance is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Associate Director.

Research Accounting is responsible for the post-award financial administration of research and non-research funds for the university.

Reporting to the Director, Research Accounting, the Associate Director, Research Accounting, is a senior position that supports the Director in leading the direction of the Research Accounting team in providing and promoting post award research accounting support and service across campus. The Associate Director manages the Research Accounting teams that are responsible for providing research support through compliance and eligibility review of transactions, transaction initiation, project monitoring for compliance with agency guidelines and policies, agency reporting and master data management. The Associate Director is required to have expertise in highly complex and technical financial concepts, and is expected to work with complex accounting, budgeting, forecasting and Finance systems and processes.

This position is responsible for directing the Managers within Research Accounting in providing post award accounting and finance services across campus and ensuring that internal and external project funds are being administered in compliance with agency or University policies and guidelines, ensuring integrity of master data, agency reporting and ensuring proper internal controls are in place and adhered to.

As well as requiring high-level, technical/financial awareness, the work is of a highly complex and political nature and requires considerable sensitivity towards numerous stakeholders. The recommendations and performance of the incumbent have financial implications for the University reaching into multiple-millions of dollars.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• This Associate Director Research Accounting provides leadership to a team of Managers, analysts, senior administrators and administrators, working closely with these individuals to develop and grow their technical and related behavioral skills in a focused and strategic manner and ensure these resources are deployed appropriately to meet client needs.
• The incumbent is accountable for the performance of the teams; ensuring that Research Accounting meets the needs of the various stakeholders and ensuring that department targets are achieved. The incumbent will coordinate, and/or develop training and development activities for the Research Accounting teams.
• The incumbent will act as the liaison between the Units/Faculties, Research Accounting and other University departments, providing support and leading in the resolution of conflicting priorities to ensure that university policies and procedures are adhered. This position contributes to the effectiveness and engagement of the University’s Research Accounting needs and strives for operational excellence.
• The incumbent will work closely with – and foster co-operation between Research Accounting and Faculties/Units, and other support service providers across campus, and coordinate Finance policies and services with other Finance personnel and the Process Owners.
• The incumbent will lead a number of Research Accounting sub-committees to achieve the goals and initiatives set forth by the AVP Finance, the Director, Research Accounting and the Institution.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Professional accounting designation (CA, CMA, or CGA) and a related university degree or equivalent experience. A minimum of ten years of progressively more senior experience in various accounting, budget, and analyst functions with five or more years including supervisory/management experience are required.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others and to handle difficult situations while maintaining effective and productive working relationships. Must be able to think logically, solve problems and be critically objective with an ability to develop innovative solutions to problems. Must be able to work independently and in a team environment. Strong team leadership skills are required.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and written communication skills are required to ensure this client facing function is effectively managed. The ability to communicate effectively with faculty, administrators and staff is essential.
• Experience with and a solid understanding of budgeting, financial analysts, internal control and risk management frameworks. Thorough knowledge of business processes and best practices.
• Intermediate to expert user of computer software applications, including large integrated enterprise resource planning systems, data warehousing and business intelligence tools, and spreadsheets.
• Demonstrated communication, facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Experience with not for profit accounting, and a strong understanding of the university policies, structures and operations.

Application Deadline: December 9, 2022

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level M3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.