Manager, Capital Projects Finance

THE ROLE:

The Manager, Capital Projects Finance, will provide leadership and expertise in managing the financial planning, budgeting, and reporting processes for Douglas College’s major capital projects. This role is integral to ensuring the effective financial oversight of the College’s major capital initiatives, supporting compliance with accounting standards, funding requirements, and regulatory frameworks.

Reporting to the Comptroller, Capital Projects and Systems, the Manager, Capital Projects Finance will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Facilities, Finance, Information Technology Services, and external partners, to develop and monitor capital budgets, analyze financial performance, and ensure alignment with the College’s strategic objectives. The position also contributes to the continuous improvement of policies, processes, and systems related to capital project financial management.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the direction of the Comptroller, Capital Projects and Systems, the Manager, Capital Projects Finance is responsible for:

Budgeting and Planning

• Leads the development, oversight and strategic management of major capital project budgets, ensuring alignment with project goals and strategic objectives.
• Collaborates with project managers, external partners and stakeholders to prepare comprehensive budget plans, including cost estimates and funding strategies.
• Coordinates and produces short and long-term capital financial forecasts, supporting the College’s Five-Year Capital Plan and long-range financial planning.
• Works with and provides guidance to College management to ensure quality and timely preparation of budget and forecasts.
• Ensures all activities proceed according to approved financial plans and that appropriate controls are in place to ensure appropriate approvals and accountabilities.
• Continuously reviews, analyzes, and monitors budget for the ongoing financial performance of capital projects.
• Keeps apprised of regulatory and reporting requirements relating to budget 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 supported by detailed documentation.
• Develops and implements new methods, policies and procedures to improve efficiencies, establish best practices and standardization for budgeting, financial management, and improved internal financial controls within the College.

Financial Reporting

• Oversees financial monitoring and performance analysis for capital projects, identifying variances and providing recommendations for corrective action.
• Ensures timely and accurate preparation of capital project financial reports, including forecasts, variance analyses, and cash flow projections.
• Monitors compliance with accounting standards, funding agreements, and government capital reporting guidelines.
• Prepares project forecast or progress reports for major capital projects funded by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills (PSFS).
• Proactively works in collaboration with the Financial Reporting and Operations team to ensure all reports are prepared in compliance with generally accepted accounting standards (GAAP), Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS) and regulations applicable to the BC public sector.

Costing Model Management

• Develops, implements, and maintains comprehensive costing models to accurately estimate and monitor capital project expenses.
• Regularly updates costing models to reflect changes in project scope, funding requirements, and market conditions.
• Uses costing models to support decision-making, risk assessment, and financial planning for both pre-construction and ongoing capital projects.

Leadership and Administration

• Leads and supervises unionized support staff including recruitment and selection, training, performance planning, evaluating and disciplining where appropriate.
• Provides training, training opportunities and guidance to staff to enable them to perform their job duties and stay current in their position.
• Directs professional development and continuous improvement in each of their direct reports.
• Establishes clear performance expectations for each direct report to ensure the realization of the strategic and operational objectives.
• Ensures that direct reports are adhering to policies and procedures, and meeting 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 Comptroller, Capital Projects and Systems; 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 educational seminars and training programs.
• Completes training in support of College policies and strategic objectives. These may include cybersecurity, financial forecasting, business intelligence, data analysis, supervision, performance management, internal controls, data governance, employee training programs, enterprise risk management, ethics, and environmental and social corporate responsibility.
• Monitors and upholds adherence to the College’s financial management policies, procedures and processes to ensure accuracy and quality of financial information.
• Recommends improvements to address changes in the risk level arising from changes to both internal and external environments.
• Ensures best practices in the budgeting and planning functions of the department.
• Participates in the development of financial policies, accounting guidelines, and standard operating procedures (SOP).
• Participates in the College’s strategic plan initiatives and business projects that affect the Manager, Capital Projects Finance’s scope of responsibility. Develops a solid understanding of business objectives and ensures that business decisions are in alignment with College policies and objectives.
• Provides explanations and analyses as requested to the Comptroller, Capital Projects and Systems, to support their oversight responsibilities and develops reports to meet business objectives.
• Develops and maintains key internal relationships to ensure service excellence standards are provided to internal clients.
• Liaises and maintains positive relationships with external contacts. Collaborates with sector peers to share knowledge and exchange best practices.
• In absence of the Comptroller, Capital Projects and Systems, may assume the responsibility of Acting Comptroller, Capital Projects and Systems as requested.

Data and Information Integrity

• Adheres to the College’s Records and Information Management (RIM) policy.
• Serves as a subject matter expert during the design, testing, implementation, and documentation of the financial systems or project management software.

Other related duties

• Performs other related duties as required.
• Actively models the Douglas College Core Competencies.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• A university degree from a recognized institution combined with a CPA designation, current and in good standing with CPA Canada.
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in a mid to senior-level financial position in areas of budgeting, planning, financial reporting, and analysis.
• Extensive experience with construction finance and large capital projects, preferably within a public sector. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and lead including the ability to mentor and develop staff, train employees and organize and assign work.
• Minimum two (2) years of supervisory experience required in a unionized environment, preferably in a public sector entity.
• Knowledge of budget development, financial accounting, forecasting, financial management, internal control systems, and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Advanced proficiency in spreadsheet and relational database software (e.g., Discoverer/ Tableau) to compile, quantify and illustrate complex financial and non-financial reports.
• Strong technical abilities and financial systems experience, including Microsoft Office, and ERP systems (e.g. Banner). Millennium FAST would be an asset.
• Able to design, implement and evaluate complex financial and non-financial data, reporting methods, and procedures. Excellent communication skills (oral, written, and presentation).
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong organizational and prioritizing skills and the ability to work well and make decisions under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all College personnel and the external community.
• Able to be a team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion, judgment and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated abilities that align with the Douglas College Core Competency Framework.