Finance Manager

Job Summary

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences is a strong and diverse Faculty, numbering approximately 83 full-time and cross-appointed faculty members, over 750 clinical faculty, 100 staff, 22 trainees, nearly 1300 undergraduate students and 80 graduate students. The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences offers programs across the full continuum of learning, from the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and professional undergraduate studies, Entry-to-Practice Doctor of Pharmacy (E2P) to specialized graduate-level training (MSc, PhD) and the Graduate Diploma in Pharmacy Leadership (GDPL) through to Continuing Pharmacy Professional Development (CPPD). The faculty also offers non-degree programs such as the Canadian Pharmacy Practice Program (CP3) and Residency Programs in hospital, community and industry settings.

The Finance Manager is responsible for leading the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences’ operational financial management and complex budgeting functions in support of the faculty’s academic, research, and clinical priorities. Reporting to the Director, Finance (shared across Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dentistry), the role manages the faculty’s integrated budget processes (operating, specific purpose, endowments, research-related administration support, capital planning inputs), delivers forecasting and scenario analysis, and strengthens financial controls, systems use, and decision-support practices across the faculty. The Finance Manager translates strategic direction from the Dean and Director, Finance into actionable budget plans and resource options, ensures timely and accurate financial reporting and analysis, and drives continuous improvement to financial processes, tools, and internal controls. The position provides functional leadership for the faculty’s finance operations and directly supervises the Financial Analyst and Finance Administrative support.

Organizational Status
This position works in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, under the supervision of the Director of Finance, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dentistry. Oversees the daily financial operations for the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and supervises 2 staff; a Financial Analyst and a Financial Administrative Assistant. Works collaboratively with the Dean, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), faculty and staff from units within the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and regularly liaises with UBC staff outside the faculty such as Financial Operations, Research Finance, University Industry Liaison Office, Budget Office, Treasury, and other central University units.

Work Performed
· Leads the Faculty’s annual budget development and in year forecast cycles, mange timelines, inputs, assumptions, and consolidation for leadership review.

· Develops budget scenarios and resource options (including sensitivity and risk impacts) to support leadership decisions, ensuring alignment with approved direction and constraints.

· Monitors financial performance against plans; identifies emerging issues, pressures, and opportunities; and recommends corrective actions for review with the Director, Finance and Faculty leadership.

· Coordinates year end planning and closing readiness activities for the faculty, including accrual planning inputs, balance review support, and issue resolution coordination with central finance partners.

· Produces and/or oversees complex financial models and decision-support analyses (e.g., program/resource scenarios, cost recovery and service models, space/clinic-related financial planning inputs, workforce costing impacts).

· Supports development of business cases and financial plans for Faculty initiatives by providing structured analysis, assumptions, and financial risk considerations.

· Reviews unit financial trends and drivers; synthesizes key messages into executive ready summaries for the Director, Finance and Faculty leadership.

· Ensures the Faculty’s financial reporting and monitoring routines are accurate, timely, and fit for purpose (dashboards, quarterly updates, ad hoc analyses).

· Strengthens internal controls in day-to-day operations (segregation of duties, appropriate approvals, reconciliation routines, monitoring of exceptions), and escalates material concerns.

· Oversees core finance operations workflows (e.g., invoicing/receivables coordination, expense and credit card compliance monitoring, payment processing oversight) to ensure alignment with university policy and sound control practice.

· Leads Faculty level enhancements to financial processes, templates, and reporting tools in Workday/Adaptive/Excel to improve efficiency, clarity, and governance.

· Conducts process reviews and implements improvements to reduce manual work, strengthen controls, and improve quality of information for decision-making.

· Acts as the Faculty finance lead for implementing central finance process/system changes, ensuring local readiness, training coordination, and adoption.

· Sets priorities and performance expectations for the finance team; allocates work, coaches staff, and supports development to ensure high quality analysis and service.

· Reviews and approves analytical outputs prepared by the Financial Analyst; ensures consistency, accuracy, and relevance before distribution to leadership.

· Builds financial management capability across the faculty by providing guidance to administrators and unit leaders on budgeting practices, reporting interpretation, and compliant financial operations.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position has a significant influence on the quality and effectiveness of the services provided to the Dean, programs and research activities within the faculty. The financial viability of the faculty would be severely impacted if incorrect decisions were made. Providing unclear or incorrect fiscal reports/documents on the faculty would negatively impact the decision making and budget allocation process for the faculty and therefore undermine the faculty’s ability to set and implement priorities. Errors in judgement could damage the teaching and research mission of the faculty, the credibility of the Dean, the Faculty and the University, and impair the Dean’s ability to perform the job efficiently and effectively.

Supervision Received
Reports directly to the Director of Finance, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dentistry. Works independently under the broad directives of the Director of Finance, Dean and senior management team. Keeps the Director of Finance informed and up-to-date through weekly meetings. Provides timely updates on key issues to the Dean and, where applicable, senior leadership team.

Supervision Given
Provides direct supervision to the Financial Analyst, and a CUPE 2950 Financial and Administrative Assistant in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. May provide guidance and advice to Faculty staff, supervisors and managers on UBC finance policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Completion of the CPA accounting program (CA, CGA or CMA). Minimum of five years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in post-secondary education is preferred. Experience in fund accounting, budgeting, financial control and policy interpretation. Experience working with people at senior levels and other professionals. Experience working with large enterprise systems, with preference given to experience with Workday and Adaptive. Computer experience required.

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

• Ability to effectively use MS Office, with a focus on spreadsheets and databases at an advanced level.

• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to details.

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, work under pressure and meet deadlines.

• Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate to a variety of different groups in a professional manner.

• Effectively interact with senior level management, professionals, and administrative personnel.

• Effective conflict resolution, problem-solving and organization skills.

• Ability to exercise tact and discretion when handling sensitive and/or confidential matters.

• Ability to identify, obtain, and effectively manage and analyze organizational resources (e.g., people, materials, assets, budgets).