Manager, Budget

POSITION SUMMARY

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY - GENERAL STAFF

POSITION TITLE: Manager, Budget

DEPARTMENT: Planning and Budget

CLOSING DATE: June 27, 2021

 

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Assistant Director, Budget, the Manager, Budget plays an important role in the development of the university’s annual budget, from global estimates (expenditure and revenue) to the preparation of the annual budget for the Board of Trustees (including quarterly report, analysis and information gathering). The operating budget process involves collecting and evaluating operating budget estimates and variances, developing reports/programs, and making recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of departmental financial budget reporting and processes. Committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenization, the Manager, Budget, is a key member of the management team, responsible for liaising with university stakeholders to provide support on the annual budget process and participating in the analysis of data to facilitate university wide decision making.  

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:  

  • Provides primary support to the Assistant Director, Budget, and the Director, Budget, in the development and maintenance of the University’s Annual Budget.
  • Participates in the development of the annual budget (and related financial updates and budget reports), ensures appropriate data is compiled, reviewed, and summarized, providing required analyses to facilitate university decision making.
  • Assists with the formulation of enrollment modeling, which considers the effect/impact of decisions on the resultant revenue projected. Identifies recommendations that support decision-making by developing effective financial analyses.
  • Compiles and analyzes data and financial information to evaluate new projects or initiatives with university wide impact. 
  • Develops, maintains and improves models and templates to be used for recurring financial analyses.
  • Assesses and recommends opportunities for continuous improvement to current systems and/or processes. Recommends new technology and acts as a representative of the department on system projects when required. 
  • Manages, updates and develops new process documentation as required. 
  • Plans, organizes and manages the production of the University’s Planning and Budget Annual Report. Participates in decisions regarding report content and format. Gathers relevant submissions from various Vice-Principal Portfolios, reviewing and editing submissions to ensure internal consistency.
  • Acts as a key point of contact for Faculty and/or Shared Service Business Officers for operating budget information needs.
  • Participates in planning decisions as part of the management team, which include policy changes, new projects, work-load distribution etc.
  • Creates a positive work environment that supports and promotes a culture where a diverse range of ideas and perspectives are valued and incorporated into decision-making. 
  • Plans, prioritizes and manages the work of employees, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and coaching.  Identifies the need for staff resources, participates on staffing committees, and makes effective recommendations regarding employee selection.  
  • Manages performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
  • Assesses staff training and development needs, and ensures that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.  
  • Investigates, addresses and resolves employee/labour relations issues, including making decisions regarding disciplinary and discharge matters. 
  • Supports institutional committees such as the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Budget, Senate Budget Review Committee, Senate Committee on Academic Development, and other Ad Hoc Committees.
  • Participates in statutory reporting as required.
  • Undertakes other duties or special projects as assigned in support of the department.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

  • University degree preferably in Commerce or Business Administration combined with an accounting/business designation such as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) or Master of Business Administration (MBA). 
  • Several years’ experience in progressively responsible positions in an accounting/advisory capacity, preferably in a university or large and complex environment, including management experience. 
  • Strong experience with MS Office with advanced Excel, combined with knowledge of database structures. Previous experience with PeopleSoft considered an asset. 
  • Knowledge of university structure, policy, regulation and administrative systems considered an asset.
  • Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

 

SPECIAL SKILLS:

  • Communication; listens to others and expresses, ideas orally and in writing (ie. reports and briefs), in an effective manner to ensure the message, findings and/or recommendations are conveyed and understood. Readily shares information and knowledge with others.
  • Builds Relationship; develops and maintains relationships with individuals and offices at every level of the university, to support and achieve work related objectives.
  • Planning and Organizing; establishes a clearly defined course of action to accomplish goals and to organize work efforts in a complex environment with multiple competing demands, priorities and deadlines. Allocates time and manages resources effectively, ensuring accuracy.
  • Initiative; takes action to propose new initiatives and to improve efficiency of current service or operations.
  • Strategic Perspective; Understands the strategic direction of the organization and unit, and uses this information to develop responsibilities, tasks goals, and initiatives that align with long-term plans and growth. 
  • Leadership; ability to inspire a diverse team to work towards shared objectives and optimize team effectiveness by engaging diverse perspectives and empowering others.
  • Client Orientation; commits to working closely with diverse organizational stakeholders to build positive client relations.
  • Business Acumen; carries out strategy with a clear understanding of trends and dynamics that affect the university. Demonstrates business foresight along with the ability to integrate diverse perspectives.
  • Decision making and Judgement; demonstrates the ability to identify and understand issues, problems and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions and make decisions to manage risk.
  • Collaboration and Teamwork; develops and uses collaborative relationships to facilitate accomplishment of group goals.
  • Integrity; Consistently acts with the highest professional standards, ability to exercise tact, judgement, and confidentiality.


DECISION MAKING: 

  • Provides strategic advice on policy options concerning budget issues.
  • Based on professional accounting knowledge, assists departments/shared services/faculties in determining goals and objectives of financial budget reporting. Formulates processes/policies/procedures to achieve those objectives.
  • Makes recommendations for changes and improvements while keeping in mind the best interests of the department, service, or faculty and the university as a whole. 
  • Develops a range of solutions to a given problem and recommends the best alternative. Determines when to involve senior staff and / or others. 
  • In collaboration with the management team, identifies, adapts and anticipates new demands on the University Financial System.
  • Evaluates job candidates and makes effective recommendations on suitable hires.
  • Makes decisions and/or effective recommendations regarding transfers and promotions.
  • Evaluates employee performance and decides on appropriate training or coaching to address lack of proficiency in carrying out responsibilities, or remedial action for staff disciplinary situations.
  • Assesses investigation outcome of grievances and makes effective recommendations on appropriate course of action or next steps on grievances.
  • Makes effective recommendations on level of discipline up to discharge and probationary termination