Chief Financial Officer
Do you believe in the power of ideas, possibility, and in building community?
The Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is looking for an innovative and collaborative chief financial officer to provide strategic and operational leadership to the organization. This role requires a self-motivated professional who is as comfortable providing strategic vision as offering hands-on operational support.
The successful incumbent needs to possess a passion for problem solving and a relentless drive for continuous improvement to support AUArts’ strategic priorities.
Why AUArts?
Alberta University of the Arts rests on the traditional Treaty 7 Territories of the Blackfoot people and in the spirit of our collective effort to promote reconciliation, we acknowledge the traditional territories and oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy, which includes Siksika, Piikani and Kainai, the Tsuut’ina, the Stoney Nakoda First Nations (Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley), Metis Nation Region III, and all those who make their homes in the Treaty 7 Region of Southern Alberta.
AUArts is a community of thinkers, shapers, makers, and risk takers. We are students, faculty, staff, and alumni rich in diversity of culture and thought, challenged to fearlessly explore what moves us, drives us, and implores us to see the world differently.
The Alberta University of the Arts offers its 1,100 students studio-based programming that leads to a bachelor of fine arts in one of nine disciplines, a bachelor of design in one of two, and an MFA in craft media. It has deep roots in Calgary’s creative community and will soon be celebrating its centennial.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the vice president, administration, the chief financial officer (CFO) is the guardian and financial gatekeeper of the financial health of the organization, overseeing and implementing appropriate financial control infrastructure. This role leads multiple teams and provides direction to all financial, accounting, procurement, and retail functions.
The chief financial officer provides strategic direction and oversight of both operational and strategic long-term sustainability, effectively collaborating with internal and external partners to ensure organizational success.
Initial areas of focus include a review of budget/forecast methodology, and the evaluation and application of the university’s internal control framework.
Key Responsibilities
Provide strategic vision and leadership for the financial services and procurement/bookstore departments, managing structure, job design, workloads, projects, and implementing operational plans. Manage multiple teams, including setting goals, conducting performance appraisals, supporting skill development, providing mentoring, and coaching.
Financial Controls & Compliance
Provide oversight for all financial controls and compliance within the organization, directing financial, procurement and purchasing processes, procedures, internal controls, monitoring, and reporting. Establish and maintain audit procedures, year-end audit requirements and direct the implementation of the annual audit implementation plan. Direct, review and present monthly and quarterly financial statements and analysis for internal distribution, including Cabinet and the Board of Governors and to various levels of government and external agencies as required.
Organizational Stewardship & Strategy
Provide financial stewardship for the organization, evaluating, approving, and directing resources in accordance with regulatory requirements and in alignment with strategic and operational plans. Manage treasury functions including cash flow management, credit monitoring, investment of surplus funds, balancing short-term pressures with long-term sustainability. Evaluate and provide guidance on financial implications of change such as tuition fees, contract administration, purchasing, procurement, labour negotiations and manage financial changes within the organization.
Relationship Management & Partnerships
Establish and maintain strong relationships with senior executive team and governance bodies, providing resources and detailed information to meet their needs and mandates. Represent AUArts in meetings of provincial and professional organizations, working effectively with key partners such as the OAG, Alberta Infrastructure, Advanced Education, Revenue Canada.
The successful candidate will have:
- Undergraduate degree supplemented by a Chartered Professional Accounting (CPA) designation (or equivalent) in good standing and registered (or eligible) in the province of Alberta.
- Minimum of seven (7) years progressively senior experience in financial management.
- Minimum five (5) years supervising and/or managing core finance processes including budget planning and development, treasury management, accounting operations, financial analysis and audit planning and coordination of year end activities.
- Demonstrated proficiency in managing employees, organizing, assigning, and managing workflow, communicating effectively, and collaborating with colleagues in a team environment.
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, make sound business decisions and provide evidence-based recommendations to senior management.
- Knowledge of financial systems, procedures, and applicable legislative frameworks for the Province of Alberta is an asset.
- Experience in a similar role within a post secondary and/or not-for-profit organization.
- Demonstrated accomplishment in adding value to strategy as well as transactional and cost efficiencies.
- Experience managing procurement and purchasing functions.
- Experience presenting to boards and board committees and working within public sector governance structures.
- Familiarity with computer financial accounting and management systems such as ACCPAC, Excel, Word.
- AUArts offers an attractive benefit package, with annual salary dependent upon skills, education and experience.
How to Apply
Applications must include the following in a single PDF document:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
Please upload your single document to the Resume section—do not upload any documents to the Cover Letter section.
For more information, visit dayforcehcm.com.
You will be required to create an account in order to submit your application. Please visit our How to Apply page to ensure your application is complete prior to submission.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
