Description
The Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Business and Finance Specialist. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
The Riddell Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy (Riddell Centre), housed within the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, is seeking a Business and Finance Specialist to join its operations team.
Reporting to the Associate Director of Business Operations, Riddell Centre.
The mission of the Riddell Centre is to reduce the burden of cancer across the lifespan and improve patient survival through the rapid development and implementation of safe and effective immunotherapies. The Business and Finance Specialist will support this mission by managing the financial operations of multiple research projects.

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

• Develop, monitor, and maintain detailed budgets for research grants and projects, ensuring appropriate expense categorization (e.g., salaries, benefits, materials, and equipment)
• Track monthly expenditures across all research accounts, ensuring alignment with approved budgets. Reconcile and reallocate expenses as needed
• Prepare quarterly financial summaries for investigators. Alert the Associate Director of Business Operations if an investigator is over budget
• Understand and apply policies associated with various fund types, including Tri-Council, philanthropic funds
• Support the set-up and closure of funds, including the management of parent-child project structures, and setting up appropriate activity codes
• Review and interpret financial statements generated by central finance; investigate and explain variances as needed
• Work closely with researchers and administrators to resolve financial issues and provide recommendations
• Contribute to long-term financial planning through projections, modeling, and scenario analysis
• Identify opportunities to streamline and improve financial workflows
• Maintain a working knowledge of university finance systems, work collaboratively with University Finance teams and stay current on research accounting policies and procedures

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required; CPA designation or individuals in the CPA PEP program is required
• Minimum of 3 - 5 years of experience in financial management, ideally in a university or research environment
• Previous financial experience working at the University of Calgary is an asset
• Knowledge and understanding of Public Sector Accounting Standards is an asset
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (e.g., pivot tables, lookups, formula building, financial modeling)
• Familiarity with University of Calgary systems such as PeopleSoft and eFIN is an asset
• Experience with research grants, funder compliance, and reporting is an asset
• High attention to detail with strong organizational and time-management abilities
• Demonstrated ability to independently solve problems related to research finance and accounting
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with researchers, administrators, and external stakeholders
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to manage competing deadlines
• A customer service mindset and a solution-focused approach are essential
  Application Deadline: July 17, 2025
  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.
  This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.
  For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

• Develop, monitor, and maintain detailed budgets for research grants and projects, ensuring appropriate expense categorization (e.g., salaries, benefits, materials, and equipment)
• Track monthly expenditures across all research accounts, ensuring alignment with approved budgets. Reconcile and reallocate expenses as needed
• Prepare quarterly financial summaries for investigators. Alert the Associate Director of Business Operations if an investigator is over budget
• Understand and apply policies associated with various fund types, including Tri-Council, philanthropic funds
• Support the set-up and closure of funds, including the management of parent-child project structures, and setting up appropriate activity codes
• Review and interpret financial statements generated by central finance; investigate and explain variances as needed
• Work closely with researchers and administrators to resolve financial issues and provide recommendations
• Contribute to long-term financial planning through projections, modeling, and scenario analysis
• Identify opportunities to streamline and improve financial workflows
• Maintain a working knowledge of university finance systems, work collaboratively with University Finance teams and stay current on research accounting policies and procedure