Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis

Reporting to the Director – Financial Planning & Analysis (DFPA), the Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis (MFPA) provides support and leadership to the financial planning, analysis, and business intelligence functions. Develops and implements strategies, plans, standards, and processes for areas of accountability in consultation with DFPA. Participates in the Institute's strategic financial planning processes, taking the lead on designated elements including those related to the development of budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. Leads business intelligence services aimed at providing meaningful insights to business performance, opportunities, risks, impacts, and solutions, delivering critical planning and decision support across the Institute. Provides leadership to a team of eight Financial Analysts for academic and non-academic units.

In addition to mentoring and developing staff within the functional areas of direct responsibility, the Manager provides leadership and strategic direction across the institution to ensure responsible financial decision making, budgeting, and accurate, timely reporting.

The position is responsible for developing institutional reporting tools and assisting major budget holders (President, VPs, Deans, Directors, and Campus Administrators) by providing high-level, individualized financial and strategy planning advisory sessions throughout the budget and monitoring cycles.

Duties:

Budgeting and Planning

• Responsible to the DFPA for the development and implementation of the university's annual budget, medium range forecasts, financial analyses, program costing, and other strategic models to facilitate decision making.
• Leads the timely preparation of operating and capital budgets, and development of multi-year forecasts to project future financial performance to ensure the university's ability to meet its strategic objectives.
• Ensures all activities proceed according to approved financial plans and that appropriate controls are in place to ensure appropriate approvals and accountabilities, continuously reviewing, analyzing, and monitoring budgets for the ongoing financial performance of the university.
• Monitors regulatory and reporting requirements relating to budgets and forecasting and implements appropriate changes to procedures and processes to ensure compliance.
• Ensures strong systems of controls within complex data models. Applies best practices of model creation by producing developer documentation.
• Maintains ERP's "Annual Versions" through the Planner Module for allowing the upload of budget and labour plans. Ensures year-end maintenance is completed to ensure the reporting continuity of the Salary Forecast.

Financial Analysis and Reporting

• Proactively works in collaboration with the DFPA to ensure all reports are prepared in compliance with generally accepted accounting standards (GAAP), Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS), and regulations applicable to B.C. public sector.
• Transforms financial and non-financial information into business intelligence in support of strategic decision making, leveraging systems and operational knowledge to produce predictive analyses and business intelligence.
• Supports the DFPA in meeting the fiduciary duties of the Board's Finance, Audit & Facilities Committee.
• In collaboration with the DFPA, prepares presentation materials for CFO & VP Administration.
• Provides support to other areas to derive fiscal impact of business decisions such as assessing the feasibility of a new program, scenario modeling, and ranking financial outcomes using NPV, IRR, DCF, etc.

Leadership and Administration

• Leads and supervises unionized support staff including recruitment and selection, training, performance planning, evaluating, and disciplining where appropriate.
• Provides training opportunities and guidance to direct reports to enable them to perform their job duties and stay current in their position.
• Establishes clear performance expectations for each direct report to ensure the realization of the strategic and operational objectives. Ensures that direct reports are appropriately adhering to policies and procedures and meet service excellence standards.
• Contributes to effective employee and labour relations by administering the collective agreement, representing management in the grievance process, and consulting with Human Resources regarding collective agreement interpretation, as appropriate.
• Establishes annual performance goals in conjunction with the DFPA; reports on progress against those objectives semi-annually and annually; conducts a parallel performance management process with own direct reports.
• Establishes a high personal standard of performance by actively participating in relevant education seminars and training programs.
• Develops, implements, and upholds adherence to the university's financial management procedures and processes to ensure accuracy and quality of financial information.
• Develops and maintains key internal relationships to inform own work and ensure service excellence standards are provided to internal clients.
• Acts as a financial resource for President's Council, Provost Council, and participates on ad hoc committees to develop and strengthen financial reporting and performance measures that align with the strategic plan(s) objectives.
• Provides ongoing support throughout the year, including development and delivery of financial training sessions, workshops, and online reference materials to all levels of the institution, but specifically focused at the Dean, Director, and Senior Manager level.

Key Performance Indicators, Decision and Business Case Development Support

• Applies creative insight to interpret financial and operational data. Designs tools and reports to improve financial oversight and management of the University's activities.
• Conceptualizes financial models and prepares scenario analyses to address business problems and College strategic objective opportunities.
• Develops and prepares financial modeling to assess viability and impact of new educational programs.
• Collaborates and assists in the development and writing or review of business concept cases or plans.
• Supports the DFPA and CFOVPA in the preparation of the Annual Consolidated Resource Plan or other determined university financial reports.

Required Qualifications:

Professional accounting designation combined with a relevant degree. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. 5+ years' experience at progressive levels of responsibility involving financial planning and business intelligence.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and lead including the ability to mentor and develop staff, train employees, and organize and assign work.
• Advanced knowledge of the concepts, theories, practices, and methods of financial planning and analysis, business intelligence, and decision support, with expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling and analysis, and related reporting.
• Strong business acumen with advanced skills in development of financial plans, project management, and change management.
• Ability to design, implement, and evaluate complex financial and non-financial data, reporting methods, and procedures.
• Proficient in translating complex financial data into accessible and comprehensible insights for non-accountant stakeholders using clear communication, visualizations, and interactive presentations. Advanced communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills with ability to function as a financial planning advisor and facilitator to leaders at all levels across the university.
• Excellent analytical skills, critical thinking, and ability to apply sound judgment in interpretation of analytical findings, problem solving, evaluating courses of action, and making decisions on financial matters.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to manage a team of reporting leaders and professionals; ability to build a strong team-based environment.
• Must be well organized and able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work well under pressure.
• Accuracy of work and attention to detail are essential.
• Ability to make extensive use of information systems and databases to extract data appropriate for planning and measurement of performance of various budget units.
• Positive attitude and ability to exercise tact, discretion, and good judgement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a unionized environment.
• Extensive knowledge of Vancouver Island University, its structures, systems, policies, and values.
• Specific familiarity with Unit 4 Business World.
• Experience in a post-secondary institution or publicly funded organization of similar size.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities, and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note:

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts or applicable original certifications at the time of the interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students. In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences. We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter. When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity. Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.

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