Job Description

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Submit your application to:
Alexandre Lafond
Founding Partner, Premium Ressources Humaines
T. (514) 393-0123, ext. 350 | M. +1 (514) 212-6063
@ alafond@premiumrh.ca

Established in 1821, McGill University is an internationally known, research-intensive and student-centred university and a Canadian leader in higher education. Located in Montréal, one of the world’s great cities.

McGill University has embarked on an ambitious transformation through Horizon McGill, a strategic initiative that supports the President's Transform priority and our vision of evolving with purpose. More than a change initiative, Horizon McGill represents a community-wide commitment to building a stronger, more sustainable, and future-ready university.

By fostering financial sustainability, operational excellence, and long-term institutional resilience, Horizon McGill is creating the conditions for McGill to thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. Every decision is guided by our commitment to preserving what matters most: excellence in teaching, learning, and research.

The Financial Services division at McGill has a staff complement of approximately 140. It provides leadership in financial management in support of the University’s mission. McGill’s operating budget is approximately $1.2 billion, and its overall revenues are close to $1.9 billion. Financial Services is one of seven (7) units reporting to the Vice-President (Administration and Finance), together with Financial Services, Facilities Management and Ancillary Services, Information Technology Services, Office of Investments, Office of Sustainability, Sustainability Park and Internal Audit.

For more information on McGill, please refer to the University’s website at www.mcgill.ca

McGill is actively seeking its next

Associate Vice-President, Financial Services

Reporting to the Vice-President (Administration and Finance), the Associate Vice-President (AVP), Financial Services provides strategic leadership for the University's financial stewardship, governance, and operational excellence. As a key member of the University's senior leadership team, the AVP is responsible for developing and advancing financial strategies that supporting McGill's academic mission and long-term institutional priorities while ensuring the effective management of the University's financial resources.

The AVP provides executive oversight of the University's financial reporting, accounting operations, budgeting, financial planning and analysis, procurement, research financial management, student financial services, and financial compliance. The role leads the development and continuous improvement of financial policies, internal controls, and risk management frameworks that promote sound governance and regulatory compliance across the University's financial operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with senior leadership and serve as a key liaison with governing bodies, government agencies, funding partners, financial institutions, Audit and Risk committees, Finance and Infrastructure Committee, and Budget Working Group to develop and execute financial strategies aligned with the University’s goals.
• Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements and reports and present financial performance, trends and high-level financial evidence-based advice to senior administration and governance bodies that advance institutional priorities.
• Champion initiatives that strengthen the University's financial sustainability and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and internal policies. Collaborate with internal and external auditors to strengthen internal controls and set and maintain adherence to university financial management policies.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate financial and operational risks to the university through proactive strategies and sound fiscal management.
• Serve as key contributor to the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes and oversee the implementation and monitoring of the approved budget.
• Work closely with the Analysis, Planning and Budget, Office of Investments and Pension Committee to advise on progressive and prudent management of McGill University's financial resources. Provide financial oversight of the research activities, including compliance with granting agencies, also within scope.
• Champion the optimization of financial systems and processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making capabilities.

Key Experience and Competencies:

The ideal candidate for this role holds a CPA designation (Additional relevant designations could be considered an asset.). and an undergraduate degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or a related discipline. A master’s degree in a relevant discipline is professional also asset.

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a senior executive financial and budget management position, ideally in higher education, public sector, healthcare, or other highly regulated, complex organizations.
• Exemplary integrity, sound judgment, and an unwavering commitment to accountability and financial stewardship.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams, fostering high-performance, continuous improvement, and driving transformational change.
• Strong track record of strengthening financial governance, enhancing internal controls, advancing risk management practices, and implementing effective financial policies and processes.
• Extensive experience presenting financial information and strategic recommendations to executive leadership, governing boards, and audit committees and external auditors as well as the ability to deal comfortably with a wide range of other stakeholders (faculty, students, staff, funding partners, financial institutions, etc.)
• Experience with and knowledge of financial management related to the monitoring of deferred maintenance and infrastructure projects and long-term debt negotiated through the government
• Skilled negotiator and consensus builder who provides the highest level of service to the university community.
• Ability to communicate in both English and French at the spoken and written levels.

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.