Vice-President, Finance and Administration

York University is searching for a bold leader to become its next Vice-President Finance and Administration to be part of the University’s future legacy at this pivotal transformation point by providing visionary and strategic financial and operational leadership to the University.

The Organization

Founded in 1959 on the traditional territory of the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat, York University is Canada's third-largest university, and is a leading interdisciplinary research and teaching institution. York is proud of the unparalleled vibrant diversity of our student population, which mirrors that of the Greater Toronto Area and includes students from across Canada and around the world. We are a community of over 60,000 faculty, staff and students, and over 325,000 alumni worldwide, all building unique paths to success but united through commitment to creating positive change through learning, research, innovation and community engagement. York is in a phase of exciting growth, soon to open the doors on a new Markham location, and with recent government support for a new medical school to be developed with partners in the region.

The Role

Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor, the Vice-President, Finance and Administration will provide strategic leadership, planning oversight and stewardship for all aspects of the University’s administrative services, including financial services, facilities management, capital projects, ancillary services, community safety, and information technology. They are responsible for the development and implementation of innovative operational and fiscal policies, regulations and practices with a goal of achieving operational effectiveness and efficiency.   As a member of the University’s Leadership Team, they provide strategic financial and operational leadership and direction to the organization, ensuring sustainable financial and strategic capital planning, risk management and reporting. They work collaboratively with the President and Provost & Vice-President Academic in preparation of the university budget. The successful candidate will be a bold leader who takes an entrepreneurial approach to operations, finding unique solutions and initiatives that move the needle forward. They prioritize a strategic approach to their portfolio, with a strong emphasis on collegial governance, planning, analysis, accountability, risk management, teamwork and transparency.

Key areas of oversight and responsibility are:

• Strategic Vision and Governance – Providing creative strategic leadership at senior-level decision-making tables, managing the development and integration of university systems, and supporting effective governance at the University.
• Financial Leadership – Providing leadership and direction in the management, planning, analysis, and sustainability of university fiscal operations and capital projects.
• Operational Leadership – Overseeing university operations relating to administrative services, digital transformation, capital planning & facilities management, and the sustainability strategy (in collaboration with the Vice President Research and Innovation), ensuring that all reporting areas are effective, efficient, and aligned with York’s values and priorities.

The Ideal Candidate

As the ideal candidate, you are an experienced and visionary financial and operational leader who is adept at developing and integrating effective systems that align with strategic vision. You have a history of creative and bold direction while building positive culture and overseeing the achievement of organizational goals that align with collective values. Your leadership style is deeply connected to your strong sense of professional ethics and integrity. You excel at building relationships and are capable of building trust with constituents across multiple campus locations and with key external partners. You have demonstrated success in policy development and analysis, making sound decisions in a large, dynamic organization, preferably in the public sector.

Qualifications and Experience:

While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all qualifications in equal measure, those listed below are desirable and will be used to compare candidates.

• A graduate degree in business, finance, or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of leadership experience related to the specified responsibilities.
• Demonstrated skill in strategic financial management and long-term planning.
• Proven track record of strong business acumen in past roles, with evidence of success in strategic forecasting, change leadership, evidence-informed decision-making, managing complex projects, transformations, or implementations.
• Experience developing and/or reviewing operational policies, procedures, practices related to finances, human resources, information technology, and facilities.
• Experience fostering and maintaining positive relationships and partnerships with community, business, government, and other institutions and organizations.
• Experience supporting sustainability practices with evidence of improvements made while in leadership.
• Ability to build and lead a high-performing team and engage with internal and external partners to achieve goals and outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience applying equity, diversity, and inclusion lenses to policies and procedures in an operational setting.
• Ability to communicate in both official languages is an asset.
• Familiarity with and/or experience in the post-secondary education sector is an asset.

You are someone with:

• A courageous leadership style and commitment to strategic change and innovation.
• Superior skill in financial analysis and planning, with a keen ability to establish strategic priorities.
• Exceptional relational skills, able to quickly build trusting relationships and rally action within decentralized environments.
• Integrity and creativity, with an empathetic approach to managing people.
• Good judgment, able to quickly assess a variety of inputs and make timely decisions.
• Diplomacy and discretion, with a facilitative style and the ability to explain complex issues.
• Superior organizational skills, able to balance multiple priorities while being responsive.

The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (racialized), Indigenous Peoples and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation. York University is committed to a positive, supportive and inclusive environment.

York University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process by contacting accommodations@kbrs.ca.

To Apply

If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Debra Clinton at dclinton@kbrs.ca, Kyle Steele at ksteele@kbrs.ca, or Dr. Jennie Massey at jmassey@kbrs.ca, or click on the 'Apply Now' button below.