Director, Financial Services

Emily Carr University of Art + Design

• $125K — $167K *
Finance & Insurance
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • CPA professional designation required.
  • 10+ years of progressive financial management experience.
  • Expertise in budget planning and financial control systems.
  • Proficient with accounting software and large databases.
  • Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience with a focus on teamwork.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and oversee financial management policies and procedures.
  • Ensure compliance with reporting requirements and deadlines.
  • Provide counsel and information to university leadership and external agencies.
  • Engage in strategic planning and implementation activities.
  • Design and maintain an internal financial control framework.
  • Manage cash flow and investment policies effectively.
  • Oversee year-end audit processes and annual financial statement preparation.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including dental and health coverage.
  • Membership in the College Pension Plan.
  • Generous vacation and professional development opportunities.
Full Job Description
Posting Details

Position Information

Job Title
Director, Financial Services

Job Description

Permanent Full-Time Excluded Position
8:30am to 4:30pm / Monday to Friday
Grade 15 ($125,478 to $167,305 per annum)


Please note: This position is currently under consideration for an internal candidate. However, we welcome all applications and will review submissions in accordance with university hiring policies.

ABOUT THE ROLEThe Vice-President, Finance + Administration is a member of the University's Senior Executive Team and is responsible for providing strategic financial leadership and direction to the organization, ensuring excellence in financial and strategic capital planning and master planning, oversight, and stewardship for all aspects of the University's financial operational services and facilities. The Vice-President, Finance + Administration will support and collaborate with the VP Academic + Provost to achieve the academic mission of Emily Carr University. This will include the development and implementation of fiscal policies, that support the goal of operational effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability, while simultaneously ensuring investment in the educational environment. Furthermore, the Vice-President, Finance + Administration is responsible for the strategic oversight of all university facilities and is responsible for the executive oversight of any P3 partnerships. This includes responsibilities concerning the safety of all campuses and the community members that access the facilities.

Emily Carr University has a deep commitment to a culture of inclusion. Acknowledging the University's diverse population and ensuring that every member of an inclusive campus is a valued contributor is a foundational pillar of the University's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). This role will support the University's commitment to EDI and be part of the University's commitment to building a culture of inclusion which is key to achieving academic excellence and student success

The Vice-President, Finance and Administration will place a strong emphasis on planning, innovation, accountability, teamwork, transparency, and leadership.

BENEFITS OF JOINING THE EMILY CARR COMMUNITY
  • Enrollment in a comprehensive benefits package, including Dental Coverage, Extended Health, Disability Coverage and Life Insurance.
  • Membership in the College Pension Plan.
  • Competitive vacation and Professional Development benefits


TYPICAL DUTIES INCLUDE:
  • Develops, administers, and ensures compliance with guidelines, policies and procedures for effective financial management of the University's resources leading to continuous improvement in business and accounting practices.
  • Reviews and prepares analyses of financial information and ensures the completion of both internal and external financial reports by communicated deadlines, including all provincial and federal reporting requirements.
  • Responds to requests for ad hoc information from the VP, Finance + Administration, the President + Vice-Chancellor, administrative management, and external agencies, and provides effective counsel and assistance.
  • Participates as required in short and long range strategic planning, collaborating with administrative management and producing coherent implementation plans from unstructured proposals.
  • Designs and maintains an internal control framework for the Financial Services area such that business loss is mitigated.
  • Manages cash flow requirements and invests surplus funds in line with established investment policy.
  • Responsible for the year-end audit processes and reviews preparation of annual working papers and financial statements for external auditors. Manages the preparation of analysis and supporting documents for review by the VP, Finance + Administration and the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
  • Directly supervises the management positions within Financial Services and ensures all responsibilities are carried out effectively. Maintains oversight of the Financial Services department staff including recruitment and selection, orientation, performance planning and review and ongoing training and development.
  • Collaborates with the Associate Vice-President, Human Resources in hiring, discipline, dismissal and grievance procedures and collective agreement administration relating to support staff. Produces labour costing for collective bargaining and participates directly in collective agreement negotiations.
  • Arranges for tenders of University banking services and external audits, establishing criteria to make decisions and providing reports and recommendations to the VP, Finance + Administration and the Board.
  • Responsible for the preparation of the annual budget. Assists the VP, Finance + Administration in financial planning, forecasting, development and consolidation of budgets and in the development of presentations to the Board. Prepares, analyses and adjusts University budget based on long term plans; divisional submissions and established priorities for review by the VP, Finance + Administration.
  • Reviews and interprets month-end financial results. Advises VP, Finance + Administration of results through management reports, highlighting potential issues or problems.
  • Participates on University committees as assigned.
  • Responsible for ensuring the completion of weekly cheque runs, ensuring appropriate audit and authorization is performed before processing.
  • Maintains currency in legislation and regulations and in area of professional expertise. Maintains an active role in professional activities relating to the area of responsibility by participating in associations and committee's external to the University.
  • Manages the department budget and is responsible for expenditures and allocations within that budget.
  • Collaborates with the Executive Director, University Advancement + Events to maintain detailed financial records and provides advice on the management of endowed funds.
  • Acts for the VP, Finance + Administration in his/her absence.
  • Performs other related duties as required.


Required Qualifications
  • Professional designation in accounting from a recognized educational institution (CPA).
  • Minimum ten years of progressively responsible experience in financial and administrative management.
  • Expertise in budget planning, financial management and control, as well as administration of budget and financial resources.
  • Extensive experience with computer based accounting systems and large database.
  • Demonstrated knowledge in area of expertise, along with supervisory and leadership experience.
  • Expert communication, interpersonal and presentation skills with the ability to build relationships and cooperation on a University-wide level.
  • Ability to set and communicate high standards for group performance within the Financial Services department and to facilitate and motivate teamwork.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to apply sound judgement in problem solving and evaluate courses of action.
  • Ability to advise on and make complex financial decisions.
  • Strong computer skills with advanced proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.


Preferred Qualifications

Additional Information

Emily Carr University especially invites those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized. These include women, persons with diverse gender expressions and identities, persons of all sexual orientations, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and First Nations, Metis, Inuit and Indigenous persons. All qualified people are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
SA026-2026

Open Date
09/28/2026

Close Date
10/13/2026

Open Until Filled
No

Special Instructions to Applicants

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