Director Finance, Athletics and Recreation

University of British Columbia•Vancouver, BC

1d•CA$10,155 - CA$15,842•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Finance, Athletics and Recreation provides strategic financial stewardship for the department by consolidating and monitoring the budgets of all operational units to assess overall financial performance. Through ongoing budget analysis and monthly financial monitoring, the position identifies funding pressures, emerging priorities, and opportunities to reallocate financial resources or defer lower-priority initiatives. The position advises the A&R Leadership Team and provides evidence-based financial recommendations to inform high-level decisions regarding financial resource allocation and departmental priorities. While the Managing Director retains final decision-making authority, the Director of Finance, Athletics and Recreation plays a critical role in informing these decisions by presenting the department's overall financial position, evaluating the financial implications of proposed actions, and ensuring alignment with the Vice President Students portfolio through ongoing collaboration with the portfolio's Finance Director. Athletics and Recreation has an annual operating budget of over $36 million and responsibility for facilities worth over $450 million. The organization includes multiple complex ancillary business operations, specialized sport programming units and financial oversight of 26 varsity team budgets. Revenue sources include ancillary business activities, student fees, donations and central funding. The Department is one the largest and most successful of its kind in Canada. The Director of Finance is the Lead Financial Officer for A&R and is responsible for the financial strategic management, evaluation, financial plans, and effective administration of financial policies for department units and for the directing of the financial and budgetary activities of the department. Monthly and annual reports and analyses are done for over 30 cost and profit centres including business operations, facilities, recreation, varsity sports and several support units. The position also provides overall leadership and strategic guidance for the management and planning of the payroll function.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
Completion of the CPA accounting program (CA, CGA or CMA).
Minimum of nine years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Nice To Haves

Several years of progressive financial and management experience in a medium to large multi-functional, complex unionized organization; experience in post-secondary sector preferred.
Experience in financial planning, systems development, budgeting and control.
Experience in managing an accounting department in a large, complex organization preferred.
Experience with sports or recreational organizations will be considered an asset.
Working knowledge of integrated financial and human resource application software packages and reporting tools.
Experience working collaboratively with Senior Leadership and Management and other professionals.
Excellent oral and written, presentation and interpersonal skills.
Experience with and ability to consolidate and interpret financial data, present findings and assist non-financial managers in understanding financial reports.
Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
Ability to consolidate data from various sources to develop budgets and financial reports to support Senior Management decision making.
Demonstrated ability to develop appropriate and effective financial reports.
Ability to effectively organize and motivate a team.
Must be able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy.
Proven oral and written communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
Advanced computer skills required.
Initiative, creativity and flexibility to develop options for the resolution of complex financial issues.
Ability to work independently and within a team environment.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail while maintaining an overall big picture perspective.

Responsibilities

Provides strategic financial leadership to all units within Athletics and Recreation.
Develops overall strategic financial plans for the units under their responsibility. Advises Unit Leads and Administrators/Directors on strategic decision making and thoughtful partnership for matters that involve resource allocation.
Responsible for the oversight of all revenue systems and the required controls for revenue collection from over 30 cost and profit centres including business operations, facilities, recreation, varsity sports and several support units.
Ensures that structural and organizational changes are implemented and managed in a manner that is constructive, transparent and collaborative.
Ensures all units/Directors and appropriate stakeholders receive appropriate, timely and accurate financial information and reporting for decision making purposes in order to achieve Departmental goals.
Direct the strategic planning and financial management of varsity team travel budgets, ensuring travel expenditures are allocated effectively, remain within departmental funding limits, and align with achieving competitive objectives while maintaining long-term budget sustainability.
Identify cost-saving opportunities and assess the affordability of evolving travel requirements by evaluating travel options, managing financial risks associated with inflationary pressures, changing competition schedules, and balancing operational needs with responsible fiscal stewardship.
Provides guidance to the Athletic Director and varsity programs leads to ensure 26 Varsity Teams and operating administrative units remain within budget and exercise proper resource allocation.
Leads a team of finance and accounting staff and travel coordinator to ensure they receive consistent and appropriate support.
Provides guidance and direction to Unit Leads, Department Administrators as well as staff concerning budget, accounting, financial and payroll matters, accounting policy interpretation, tax policy interpretation, and sound business practices; advising on financial and payroll implications of various planning options.
Represents the Department at senior University committees related to financial, budgeting, accounting and payroll systems.
Provides the Managing Director/Directors with financial information that is relevant, timely, accurate and complete, providing advice and recommendation on strategic decision making related to financial, budgeting, accounting and payroll systems.
Ensures that internal systems changes are implemented successfully and are fully integrated with the University financial and budgeting systems. Vice versa, ensures that University systems changes are integrated with departmental systems and procedures.
Key member of the Athletics and Recreation Executive Leadership team
Works collaboratively with Senior Management, Finance Manager and Department Leads to lead and develop the annual budgeting and financial planning for the Athletics and Recreation department ensuring consistent practices and assumptions between units.
Plans, organizes and directs initiatives for the efficient management of the financial resources of the units within the department.
Responsible for utilizing operating, holding, endowment, special purpose, and award accounts to properly manage available funding for monthly and annual reports.
In collaboration with the other Finance leaders and the Financial Director, VPS, develops and implements best financial practices and consistent financial policies, systems and procedures to ensure excellent financial management across the portfolio.
Directs the two Finance Managers on the development of financial reports, financial models, estimates, summaries of results, and provides a high-level analysis of actual financial performance to projected results to the Managing Director, Athletics and Recreation and department directors and to the Financial Director, VPS Portfolio.
Leads the implementation of University budget policy and priorities within the units; making recommendations on all budget initiatives assessing alternatives and consequences.
Manages the financial integrity of operations within the department, ensures funds are being expended according to respective guidelines, evaluates financial effectiveness and efficiency and ensures that the organization is in financial order at all times.
Directs the Department’s year-end processes including liaising with external auditors to answer queries and responding to any perceived weaknesses.
Work with senior members of the Central Finance and Budget office to resolve sensitive or complex budget and financial issues.
Work with Central Finance, Unit Leads, and other UBC departments to ensure all recognized payment methods are enabled and adequate controls are in place, including Payment Card Industry compliance.
Oversee financial reporting and analysis for internal and external parties (e.g. UBC Central Finance and Budget Offices, the President s Office, the Alma Mater Society, UBC Neighbourhoods Association, UBC Treasury).
Oversees internal audit policies, programs, methods, and procedures.
Builds financial models as required to assess the financial viability and impact of new and existing strategic initiative projects
Direct the analysis and preparation of complex and detailed analytical financial reports on cash flow projects, loans, financial and other related areas for current and future years by building assumptions, coordinating input from various sources, and compiling results
Contributes to the development of capital budgets, schedule of capital maintenance, and project costing.
Develops and implements financial reports/systems and financial reporting structures for senior management that enable senior leaders to monitor the financial health of the unit including quarterly financial reports; making informed resource allocation decisions and develop reports that enable potential problems to be detected.
Direct and oversee Finance Managers in the development of forecasts and completion of financial analysis and reporting, ensuring the delivery of accurate, timely, and meaningful financial information, payroll reporting, and performance metrics that support operational and strategic decision-making across the department.
Provide strategic direction and guidance to Finance Managers in monitoring and assessing the organizational impact of surpluses, deficits, and budget variances, and developing recommendations for senior leadership to support resource allocation, risk mitigation, and long-term financial sustainability.
Participates in the development and ongoing maintenance of campus-wide budgeting system that meets the needs of the distributed users while providing meaningful information to the Senior Leadership and Financial Director.
Promotes continuous improvement of processes and service delivery and identifies potential streamlining or changes for enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
Develops financial solutions within the given technological landscape (Workday, Perfect Mind, Enterprise Management System) that provide appropriate financial statements and accompanying reports.
Responsible for the integration of systems that link to other departments including Awards and Endowment offices.
Oversees the documentation of existing and revised processes, policies, procedures, and internal controls; approves and oversees implementation of new financial processes and internal controls, makes recommendations on changes to procedures related to improved financial control or accountability.
Advises senior leadership on the internal control environment, financial risk, business and control risk.
Maintains a current knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, University policies and procedures, external agency policies, relevant federal and provincial legislation and regulations relating to taxation to ensure adherence within the organization.
Performs other duties as required.