Executive Director, Financial Services

at  Thompson Rivers University

The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing a wide range of functions, including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cashiering, financial reporting, contract administration, cash, and treasury management. As part of the management oversight of the functional areas, review, enhancement, and implementation of internal controls will be key. The position will provide leadership to the Financial Services Department in implementing the key areas of the organization’s strategic plan, particularly around the area of student customer service and engagement. The position will be key in exploring and implementing new technologies and service options for both internal and external customers. As a member of the Financial Services team, the incumbent is responsible for providing analysis, advice, and business support to all levels of management on a variety of financial and business matters.
This position is an integral part of the senior Financial Services team and works collaboratively with all Directors and Managers on the team to achieve the strategic and operational goals of the Financial Services division and the University. Specifically the team is responsible for the full scope of financial services and will work together to prepare financial statements, analysis, internal and external reporting, budgets, forecasts, review and implement new systems, business processes, procurement, warehousing, and internal controls.
The scope of the Executive Director, Financial Services includes the management, administration, and coordination of the full functions of payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, treasury functions, internal control, data integrity, integration of financial systems, financial reporting, customer service, developing key internal and external relationships, business process reviews, and general accounting functions.
The incumbent shall assist the Associate Vice-President to develop and implement a divisional mission and strategic plan congruent with the organization’s vision.
To be successful, the incumbent requires a high degree of motivation, critical thinking, independence, judgment, management and supervisory skills, tact and diplomacy and well-polished communication and interpersonal skills. In addition the incumbent needs to have significant knowledge and experience in business processes, current technology, and emergent technology to institute and maintain leading business practices.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

Qualifications and Experience:

• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Canadian accounting designation.
• Post-Secondary degree (preferably in business).
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in a senior financial leadership role.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

Skills and Knowledge:

• Promote and provide a high value of customer service.
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills.
• Excellent supervisory, organizational, analytical and communication skills.
• High level of initiative, integrity, and honesty.
• Excellent skills in developing, analyzing and reporting on large amounts of data in electronic format.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate financial data to non-financial stakeholders.

• Plans and directs the University’s financial operations, including the functions of treasury, revenues, and disbursements (vendor and staff).
• Participates in developing short and long-term financial plans for Financial Services with the Associate Vice-President Finance and the Director of Financial Planning and Budget.
• Develop and implement operational plans and objectives that support organizational and departmental plans and cascade them through the department.
• Leads a professional, knowledgeable and innovative team to deliver the goals and objectives of the University and the department, while ensuring a customer-focused and efficient approach to service delivery to the TRU community.
• Manages the finance team by establishing goals, objectives and standards; supports staff development through performance management, training, feedback, and goal setting; manages team processes, performance objectives and strategies.
• Responsible for hiring, promotion, dismissal, or reassignment of staff.
• Creates and maintains an inclusive and respectful work environment.
• Responsible for an effective cash management system relating to all aspects of collections, disbursements, investments, liquidity, cash forecasting, and planning and implementing formal cash policies, procedures, and strategies to maximize investment income and cash balances.
• Leads and undertakes process improvement initiatives with finance and cross-functional team members.
• Ensures the University’s financial operations are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and government regulations.
• Responsible for coordinating the collection and availability of financial data in a timely manner to meet internal and external reporting requirements.
• Oversees and manages the financial reporting function.
• Reviews, develops, monitors, and amends systems, procedures, and business processes to ensure internal controls are appropriate, functional and operational.
• Assesses and improves the efficiency and customer-focused approach to service delivery of financial services to the TRU community.
• Supports the Associate Vice-President, Finance, in presenting financial statements and other reports, by providing data and analysis, as required.
• Provides financial and business services to Deans, Managers and the Executive.
• Maintaining a close liaison with the University’s internal and external auditors.
• Ensuring the maintenance of historical financial records archives in compliance with legislation and TRU policy.
• Keeping abreast of technological changes and changes in accounting standards to ensure conformance with PSAB accounting standards and appropriate legislation.
• Responsible for maintaining and updating financial procedures and compliance and updating of applicable TRU Policies.
• Assuming the duties and responsibilities of the Associate Vice-President, Finance, in their absence as directed.