Finance Officer

McGill University

4d•CA$73,470 - CA$110,210•Hybrid

About The Position

The Finance Officer (Research funds) provides professional client-service oriented support for the Faculty of Engineering Financial Services Team (FST), overseeing the post-award financial administration of research grants and contracts, ongoing fund management, reporting, and compliance. The role involves planning, organizing and managing financial processes that support Principal Investigators (PIs) across the Faculty, ensuring that financial administration aligns with applicable regulations, funding guidelines, and best practices. The incumbent collaborates closely with Faculty members, department Chairs, School Directors, administrative staff, and Financial Services to promote responsible stewardship of research funds and to strengthen processes and internal controls.

Requirements

Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field.
Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in research finance, grants administration, or sponsored programs accounting within a higher education institution, research institute, or similar environment.
Proven ability to take initiative and demonstrate flexibility while managing multiple priorities and meeting tight deadlines.
Proficiency in a range of computer applications such as word processing software, Banner FIS, Crystal Reports, Workday, and Workday Expense.
Advanced Excel skills, including the use of pivot tables and lookup functions.
Solid understanding of basic accounting principles
Strong analytical skills with keen attention to detail; capable of managing multiple portfolios and competing priorities effectively.
Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate professionally with staff and academic colleagues at all levels.
Strong customer-service orientation with the ability to quickly build and maintain productive working relationships.
Strong reporting skills; including the ability to prepare comprehensive financial statements and professional reports.
Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and conflict resolution abilities, with preferred experience in supervising, motivating, and leading teams, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and French.
Ability to conduct occasional training sessions to groups.
Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 4 (qualifier) on a scale of 0-4.

Nice To Haves

Experience with audits, compliance reviews, and policy interpretation is preferred.
Familiarity with business intelligence tools such as Power BI or Tableau is an asset.
Knowledge of university fund types with preferred experience working with research grants and complex funding arrangements.

Responsibilities

Supervise the Financial Services Team (FST), consisting of six Faculty Research Finance Administrators. Provide direction, support, and effective communication.
Oversee the delivery, follow-up, and consistency of services provided to researchers across the Faculty.
Provide ongoing training and coaching for FSTs to ensure consistent standards, strong client‑service orientation, and high-quality service delivery.
Establish goals, conduct performance evaluations, and recommend process improvements.
Ensure appropriate workload allocation, equitable task distribution, professional development, mentoring, and conflict resolution.
Oversee post‑award Research Grants management.
Conduct financial analysis and oversight. Verify that all financial operations are undertaken in an effective and compliant manner, including journals and budget transfers, research awards, etc.
Approve transactions when required.
Provide expert financial advice to Principal Investigators (PIs) by analyzing budget availability, assessing the admissibility of expenditures, and ensuring alignment with granting agency and University policies.
Conduct compliance reviews of expenses.
Deliver advanced training, guidance, and coaching to PIs, department administrators, and research staff on University and Faculty policies, financial best practices, sponsors' requirements, and systems.
Identify opportunities to improve existing financial procedures and participate in the development of new policies, processes and guidelines that support the Faculty’s financial initiatives and ensure their smooth implementation.
Manage grant portfolios under the Dean’s Office’s jurisdiction (CRC, IRS, etc.).
Liaise with Financial Services, the Office of Sponsored Research, and the Academic Personnel Office to ensure proper fund allocation.
Analyze endowments, budget allocations, and the spending of various funding envelopes.
Follow up on discrepancies and ensure appropriate spending practices.
Ensure adherence to sponsors' terms and conditions, institutional policies, and applicable regulations (e.g., Tri‑Agency Financial Administration Guide, FRQ Guidelines, MITACS, Industry, NIH Grants Policy Statement, EU, UN, etc.) by standardizing and aligning the FST team’s interpretation and execution of processes to ensure consistency, accuracy, and efficiency across all activities.
Maintain strong internal controls, segregation of duties, and documentation standards; prepare for and support internal/external audits and compliance reviews.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, checklists, and templates; contribute to policy updates and interpretations.
Approve or initiate costing allocations in Workday as required.
Undertake special projects and initiatives as required.

Benefits

Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
Competitive vacation policy
Two (2) personal days
Two (2) floating holidays
Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
Paid time off over the December holiday period
Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits