Director, Finance - New Westminster, Canada - Douglas College

Description

The Role
The Director, Finance is responsible for providing financial leadership and expertise to Douglas College.

Functional oversight responsibilities include budget, financial reporting and controls, external audit, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, charitable foundation accounting, enrolment reporting and investment management.

Together with the Vice President, Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer, supports the fiduciary duties of the College Board's Audit, Finance and Investment Committee.

In the absence of the Vice President, the Director, Finance assumes responsibility as the Chief Financial Officer for the College.

Responsibilities MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the direction of the Vice President, Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer, the Director, Finance is responsible to: Administration · Ensure the effectiveness and competence of administrative team members in their areas of responsibility through selecting, developing, evaluating and performance management. Prepare workforce plans to meet current and future needs of the department through human resource strategies that optimize staff roles and contribution;· Champion and inspire a team committed to the vision, goals and priorities of Douglas College, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, respect, equity and accessibility as integral components of all College operations, services and campuses;· Establish annual performance goals in conjunction with the Vice President, Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer. Report on progress achieving those objectives semi-annually and annually and conduct a parallel performance management process with own direct reports;· Demonstrate leadership in Enterprise Risk Management. Ensure the management team is well versed in their risk management responsibilities which include performing operational risk assessments and developing risk mitigation plans;· Ensure a well-developed understanding of the risks inherent in position responsibilities including cash management, technology and software systems or tools, and administration of procurement/revenue generating activities; and· Use available contractual financial or insurance instruments where appropriate to manage risks to acceptable levels. Financial Reporting · Oversee timely and accurate preparation of all financial reports for the College;· Ensure the effective design and operation of Douglas College's systems of internal controls over financial reporting, and compliance with Public Sector Accounting Standards and relevant Provincial regulations and directives;· Ensure the College's financial transactions comply with College's Financial Management Policies and Procedures, Conflict of Interest Policy and relevant policies of the Province of B.C.;· Make recommendations to the Vice President, Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer on College's financial management policies;· Keep informed on emerging accounting and reporting standards of the Public Sector Standards Board. Monitor exposure drafts and plans for implementation of new standards into the College's audited financial statements. Monitor significant projects of Financial Reporting and Assurance Standards Canada and considers the course of development of changes in relation to the Public Sector Standards Board and Canadian Sustainability Standards Board;· Support the Audit, Finance and Investment Committee and attends Board meetings and makes College presentations as required; and· Support Douglas College Foundation and Alumni Relations. Ensure that the Foundation has the operational support and financial information needed to manage their business. Oversee the annual financial audit and statutory reporting for the Foundation.
Budget, Planning and Analyses · Lead the College in the timely and quality preparation of operating and capital budgets to reflect the objectives, plans, and priorities of the College. Provides guidance to College leadership;· Ensure all activities proceed according to approved financial plans and that controls are in place to ensure appropriate approvals and accountabilities; and· Monitor budgets on an ongoing basis to identify significant variances, trends, and problem areas.
Performance Management and Decision Support · Provide strategic decision support across the College. Oversee financial model development and predictive analyses on enrolment, workforce planning and campus space;· Participate in the evaluation of major capital projects and business case development; and· Lead the College in the efficient and accurate disclosure of sustainability related financial information. Collaborate with management in the Facilities and Sustainability department to meet the College's strategic objectives on sustainability and related compliance reporting.
External Audit · Ensure the annual financial statement audit is completed as required, and that all statutory financial reporting is accurate and submitted on time;· Oversee the execution of mandatory contract project audits; and· Ensure that the College's Auditor provides high quality and responsive services. Treasury and Cash Management · Ensure the College's financial assets are safeguarded and accounted for with a high degree of accuracy;· Manage the College's investments and make recommendations to the Vice President of Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer on the management of accounts and funds in accordance with policies and applicable regulations; and· Build an effective relationship with the College's bank and external fund managers to ensure high quality and responsive services are received. Payroll Administration · Through the Senior Manager, Payroll Services and Systems, ensure the department is delivering best practices in payroll and responding to related inquiries in a highly client focused manner; and· Provide financial analyses on collective bargaining and other reports as required to support the Human Resources department. Data and Information Integrity · Lead the effective and efficient use of the College's financial systems, which systematically and accurately records and reports financial transactions in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements. Oversee the management and tracking of complex financial data and data systems;· Ensure that the corporate records and records of the College's service providers are up to date and accurate relating to information access and documented signing authorities, as approved by the Vice President, Administrative Services and Chief Financial Officer; and· Ensure College policy and government regulations are strictly adhered to in relation to private information. Ensure that the department is compliant with the College's Information Security Policy and Records and Information Management Policy.
External Relations · Collaborate with peers from post-secondary institutions. Communicates with government ministries, and outside consultants on financial matters. Represents the College, Division or Department on external committees and projects.
Other related duties · Undertakes special projects and other initiatives as assigned; and· Actively models the Douglas College Core Competencies. To Be Successful in this Role You Will Need EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS · A relevant university degree from a recognized institution combined with a Chartered Professional Accountant (Canada) designation, current and in good standing with CPA Canada. A Masters of Business Administration may be considered an asset.

• Minimum of 7 years of broad senior management experience in a role including leading multiple financial functions and providing strategic financial advice to an organization.
• Experience in the public sector is essential and experience in the post secondary education sector will be seen as an asset.
• Management experience in a unionized environment.
• Track record of success in motivating, developing and building capacity in a strong team. Ability to inspire and gain consensus from groups with diverse needs and backgrounds.
• Business acumen, analytical and financial skills to provide professional and senior level leadership to a complex organization.
• Experience with best practices in financial management, budgeting, Board and government reporting, risk management, and capital planning.
• Expertise to ensure there is a highly effective budget process that is transparent, strategic, sustainable and well communicated.
• Experience in financial management related to complex building and capital projects.
• Implemented appropriate controls, partnered with management and provided the advice, forecasting and sophisticated financial models needed to make decisions at key points.
• Ability to assess and improve organizational business financial processes. Incorporates change management skills when planning, communicating, and implementing initiatives.
• Ability to simultaneously manage a wide variety of responsibilities and anticipate emerging or recognize recurring issues.
• Successfully managed in an environment characterized by a high volume of information and competing demands.
• Proven ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, confidentiality and conflict resolution skills.
• Provides big picture, forward thinking and longer-term advice and counsel to operational leaders in making decisions.
• Track record of operating in a way that is consistent with supporting organization-wide strategic goals.
• Ability to build effective relationships throughout the College.
• High degree of emotional intelligence and the ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholder groups.
• Facilitative and consultative leadership style; has respect for others; personally inspires trust.
• Proven track record as an excellent communicator. Ability to communicate complex financial information in a manner that enables non-financial colleagues to understand and that assists them with their planning and initiatives.
• Ability to develop and communicate sound arguments. Superior written communication skills are essential, including the ability to produce executive level reports and briefs.
• Exhibits enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and is motivated by the opportunity to serve in a leadership role for an institution of higher learning, with a commitment, in particular, to the vision and values of Douglas College.
• Driven by strong personal values including integrity, openness, honesty and transparency, inclusiveness, mutual respect and trust, and a caring and respectful approach to all members of the College community and all interpersonal relationships.
• Is trustworthy; acts as a role model for others by demonstrating just and ethical behavior.
• Demonstrated abilities that align with the Douglas College Core Competency Framework.