Chief Financial Officer & Assistant Vice-President, Finance

Dalhousie University is seeking a Chief Financial Officer & Assistant Vice-President Finance (CFO & AVP) who, as a key leader on the Finance and Administration team, is responsible for the overall financial management of Dalhousie’s operating budget and leadership of the Finance and Treasury Services team. 

Dalhousie University is the largest university in Atlantic Canada, comprised of more than 6,000 faculty and staff and 20,000 students amongst its 13 Faculties. As part of Canada’s U15 group of research-intensive universities, Dalhousie is a key driver of the region’s intellectual, social, and economic development. Dalhousie University’s first 200 years have seen it transform from a local centre of learning to an institution with global impact. Now, at the dawn of its third century, Dalhousie is more relevant, more connected, and more vibrant than ever.

Reporting to the Vice-President Finance and Administration, the CFO & AVP supports enterprise-wide planning, the stewardship of University resources, and service in support of teaching and research in alignment with the mission and strategic goals of the University.  The CFO & AVP is responsible for the development and management of the annual operating budget and applies senior level financial expertise to ensure the effective and efficient management of Dalhousie’s finances, financial systems, and related processes. The CFO & AVP has a university-wide role across our multi-campus environment to ensure financial policies, processes, and services are delivered equitably and reflect the needs of the University’s diverse stakeholders. Through the University Treasurer, the CFO & AVP has oversight of treasury operations, which manages endowments and pension plan investments, as well as the University’s day-to-day banking needs and long-term debt strategy.

As the ideal candidate, you bring senior financial leadership experience alongside deep experience leading finance teams within the post-secondary sector, or within a similarly complex organization. You are an experienced accounting professional with a CPA (or recognized international equivalency) and a record of accountability and oversight for the preparation and audit of annual financial statements. Your exceptional communication skills allow you to accurately and clearly convey complex financial information and advice to a diverse group of stakeholders. With a reputation as a trusted advisor, you are an inclusive leader who listens and consults and consistently demonstrates strong interpersonal and relationship building skills. You have a record of successfully managing organizational change and translating organizational strategy into concrete actions and processes that ensure key outcomes are met. You possess extensive knowledge of short and long-term budgeting and planning, forecasting, financial performance, and business case analysis alongside sufficient knowledge and experience to oversee treasury operations, through the University Treasurer. You have a track record of delivering successful process improvement initiatives and are highly solutions oriented. Integrity, collaboration, and strategic thinking are hallmarks of your leadership.

To be considered, please submit your application through this link by November 15, 2021. A complete application will include a cover letter speaking to the qualifications listed above and a detailed curriculum vitae.

For more information and to review the candidate brief, please contact Laura Godsoe or Emma Spence Wach at exec.search@dal.ca

If we contact you for an interview and you are a person with a disability who requires technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and any way in which we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University recognizes its obligation to accommodate candidates in order to ensure full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here.

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi’kmaq), racially visible persons (especially historic African Nova Scotians), persons with a disability, women, and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.