Finance Director - Research Financial Services

University of Guelph • Guelph, ON

2d

About The Position

The role of Financial Director - Research Financial Services provides strategic financial leadership to the University by shaping and executing multi-year financial plans, ensuring that financial strategies align with institutional priorities, legislative requirements, and long-term sustainability. This position holds the responsibility of fostering strong relationships with senior leaders, communicating financial information to a variety of audiences and fostering a collaborative environment that encourages growth and development from their teams. This role requires a strategic leader to oversee research funding administration, financial reporting, compliance, and research finance operations across much of the institution.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Professional accounting designation (CPA) required.
• Extensive leadership and people management experience, including leading professional finance teams in a complex organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial management, accounting, compliance, internal controls, budgeting, and reporting.
• Strong understanding of research funding administration, sponsor compliance requirements, and the post-secondary research environment.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop innovative solutions to complex financial and operational challenges.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of an organization and with external partners.
• Advanced proficiency with enterprise financial systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, customer service excellence, and accountability.
• High degree of professionalism, adaptability, resilience, and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree

Responsibilities

• Lead the administration and financial oversight of research funding, ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements, university policies, and applicable legislation.
• Direct the preparation and submission of high-volume sponsor financial reports and grant account setup/amendments, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance.
• Serve as the institution’s subject matter expert for research finance, advising researchers, administrators, and senior leadership on funding management, reporting obligations, and compliance requirements.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve research financial controls, processes, and systems to support diverse sponsor requirements and evolving accountability standards.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funding agencies, sponsors, and auditors, serving as the primary contact for financial audits and compliance matters.
• Collaborate across the university to balance sponsor expectations, operational efficiency, resource constraints, and effective stewardship of research funding.
• Lead the development and delivery of training programs for faculty, administrators, and university stakeholders on research finance policies, procedures, and sponsor compliance requirements.
• Provide strategic leadership to the Research Financial Services team, fostering a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, customer service, and professional development.
• Drive innovation and best practices in research financial management to support the university’s research mission and long-term funding success.

What This Job Offers

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