Job title: Senior Manager, Finance
Reports to: Evelien VanderKloet, Senior Program Director
Faculty/Department: Biology, Ocean Tracking Network
Starting salary: $85,000-95,000
Location: In person, Halifax, NS
The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) is an international marine and freshwater monitoring platform that focuses on tracking the movements of aquatic animals in the context of a changing global environment. Established in 2008, OTN is one of 19 National Research Facilities supported by the Major Science Initiatives (MSI) funding program of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Senior Program Director, the Senior Manager, Finance oversees OTN’s operating budget (>$70M over 6-year funding cycles), provides expert advice and guidance to the OTN executive leadership team, leads the development and implementation of financial policies, procedures, and controls, and prepares financial reports for funders, governing bodies, and the host institution. The Senior Manager, Finance is a strategic thinker and works directly with OTN team managers to forecast spending needs and improve operational efficiency. The Senior Manager, Finance ensures that spending is in accordance with funder guidelines and meets audit requirements.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Financial Management and Reporting 40%
- Oversee the operational budget, including institutional accounts, invoices, and payroll.
- Prepare financial reports for the funding agency (annually), OTN governance councils (quarterly), and OTN senior management (monthly)
- Serve as the financial contact for OTN with Dalhousie Financial Services and the Office of the Vice President Research and Innovation
Financial Policies, Procedures, and Control 20%
- Track the OTN’s financial status and performance to identify areas for potential economies and efficiencies
- Coordinate across OTN teams to understand and respond to the financial demands of the organization and forecast team budgets.
Strategic Planning 20%
- In consultation with OTN senior leadership, develop and implement OTN’s financial strategy.
- Execute internal audit processes and proactive risk management for the OTN, as it relates to financial risk.
Budget preparation for new initiatives 10%
- Lead budget preparation for new funding initiatives as directed by senior management.
Supervision 10%
- Supervise financial administration staff and delegate tasks appropriately (typically 1-2 direct reports).
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Education: Undergraduate degree in accounting, business, economics, finance, or related field.
- Experience: 7+ years’ experience in financial management and administration.
- Specialized Knowledge:
- Demonstrated experience managing and supervising operational or research-oriented budgets(academia, NGO, business enterprise, etc.).
- Demonstrated experience working directly with and supporting non-finance operational managers.
- Expert financial management skills, including developing and monitoring complex, multi-million-dollar budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting.
- Highly competent in using financial software to manage, develop, and automate reports.
- Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent communication skills. Able to summarize complex financial data for a general audience.
- Superior attention to detail. Able to maintain meticulous records for reporting and tracking multi-million-dollar projects.
- Excellent time management skills. Able to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple deadlines.
- Trustworthy. Able to exercise a high degree of discretion with personal and confidential information.
- Strong management and leadership skills. Able to effectively supervise, manage and shape the direction of the finance team.
- Assets:
- CPA and/or MBA designation preferred.
- Experience using collaborative project management software (i.e., Asana) to track and manage deliverables.
TO APPLY:
Interested applicants should apply by August 21, via PeopleAdmin: https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/19337