Associate Vice-President (Financial Services)

McGill University

1d • Onsite

About The Position

McGill University is seeking its next Associate Vice-President (AVP), Financial Services. This role provides strategic leadership for the University's financial stewardship, governance, and operational excellence. As a key member of the University's senior leadership team, the AVP is responsible for developing and advancing financial strategies that support McGill's academic mission and long-term institutional priorities while ensuring the effective management of the University's financial resources. The AVP provides executive oversight of the University's financial reporting, accounting operations, budgeting, financial planning and analysis, procurement, research financial management, student financial services, and financial compliance. The role leads the development and continuous improvement of financial policies, internal controls, and risk management frameworks that promote sound governance and regulatory compliance across the University's financial operations.

Requirements

• CPA designation (Additional relevant designations could be considered an asset.)
• Undergraduate degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a senior executive financial and budget management position, ideally in higher education, public sector, healthcare, or other highly regulated, complex organizations.
• Exemplary integrity, sound judgment, and an unwavering commitment to accountability and financial stewardship.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams, fostering high-performance, continuous improvement, and driving transformational change.
• Strong track record of strengthening financial governance, enhancing internal controls, advancing risk management practices, and implementing effective financial policies and processes.
• Extensive experience presenting financial information and strategic recommendations to executive leadership, governing boards, and audit committees and external auditors as well as the ability to deal comfortably with a wide range of other stakeholders (faculty, students, staff, funding partners, financial institutions, etc.)
• Experience with and knowledge of financial management related to the monitoring of deferred maintenance and infrastructure projects and long-term debt negotiated through the government
• Skilled negotiator and consensus builder who provides the highest level of service to the university community.
• Ability to communicate in both English and French at the spoken and written levels.

Nice To Haves

• A master’s degree in a relevant discipline is professional also asset.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior leadership and serve as a key liaison with governing bodies, government agencies, funding partners, financial institutions, Audit and Risk committees, Finance and Infrastructure Committee, and Budget Working Group to develop and execute financial strategies aligned with the University’s goals.
• Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements and reports and present financial performance, trends and high-level financial evidence-based advice to senior administration and governance bodies that advance institutional priorities.
• Champion initiatives that strengthen the University's financial sustainability and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and internal policies. Collaborate with internal and external auditors to strengthen internal controls and set and maintain adherence to university financial management policies.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate financial and operational risks to the university through proactive strategies and sound fiscal management.
• Serve as key contributor to the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes and oversee the implementation and monitoring of the approved budget.
• Work closely with the Analysis, Planning and Budget, Office of Investments and Pension Committee to advise on progressive and prudent management of McGill University's financial resources.
• Provide financial oversight of the research activities, including compliance with granting agencies, also within scope.
• Champion the optimization of financial systems and processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making capabilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive