Senior Director, Faculty Finance and Strategic Planning & Systems

Union/Affiliation: Administrative Professional Excluded Staff
Pay range: $132,149 to $170,980 annually SFU Department Descr: Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences - Dean's Office
Position Grade: 15
# of openings: 1
Biweekly Hours: 72

Who We Are

Simon Fraser University is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Our purpose – the essence of SFU – is to create and connect knowledge, learning and community for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. We are committed to fostering excellence, innovation, belonging and community in all that we do.

The Finance team in the Office of the Dean supports the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), the largest faculty at Simon Fraser University and home to more than 18 departments and programs. As the central hub for financial planning and oversight within the faculty, the Finance team delivers high‑level budget management, strategic financial guidance, and comprehensive support to academic leaders and administrative units. The team plays a key role in enabling the faculty’s academic mission through strong financial stewardship, collaboration, and service excellence.

About the Role

The Senior Director, Faculty Finance and Strategic Planning and Systems provides executive level support to the Dean of Arts and Social Sciences on comprehensive strategic financial, operational and systems management for a complex and the largest faculty at Simon Fraser University. The position has faculty-wide impact and stewards a number of financial initiatives in alignment with the Dean’s vision, strategy, priorities and objectives. The Senior Director leads in external or internal processes as they relate to finance, audits, budget, space, capital and information technology for the Faculty and contributes to the overall strategic direction, ensuring alignment with operational strategy of the Faculty by identifying issues and opportunities, planning and managing financial risks, evaluating organizational impact, and introducing initiatives to move strategic plans forward. The position sets the strategic direction in the areas of financial, space, capital, informational and technical systems, analysis, planning, and compliance, TRACS (teaching, research & collaboration system), and IT (information technology). The role provides executive level advice on financial issues, leadership in the strategic management of the financial plans, activities and effective administration of financial policies of the Faculty and the University and is accountable for the Faculty’s financial and informational systems and controls.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished and forward‑thinking finance leader with a strong record of delivering strategic financial guidance in complex, multi‑unit organizations. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), they possess deep expertise in accounting principles, financial stewardship, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management, with demonstrated experience applying these skills within an academic or public‑sector environment. They bring a sophisticated understanding of financial systems, planning methodologies, and data‑driven decision‑support tools that enable them to lead continuous improvement across financial processes and technologies. Experienced in navigating periods of fiscal constraint, the ideal candidate excels at developing innovative strategies to support institutional priorities while ensuring prudent financial management. They demonstrate exceptional communication skills and are adept at building collaborative relationships with academic leaders, department chairs, and administrative teams. This individual combines technical expertise, strategic vision, and strong interpersonal skills to deliver high‑impact financial leadership in a dynamic academic setting.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Finance or Business Administration, and an accounting designation CPA, with seven to ten years' experience in a senior finance level within a complex organization; experience in senior financial planning, systems development, business process reengineering, and budgeting and control; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Advanced knowledge of financial and records management systems.
• Knowledge of higher education financial systems and related information technology systems.
• In depth understanding of policies governing academic and human relations, collective agreements, budget management and procurement, research and teaching.
• Excellent budgetary and fiscal management skills.
• Exceptional strategic planning and project management skills.
  

What We Offer

At SFU, our goal is to ensure our people are valued and supported by promoting a healthy work-life balance, professional growth and development, as well as a safe and respectful workplace. We offer continuing employees who belong in the Administrative Professional Excluded Staff group (APEX):

• 4 weeks’ vacation (prorated for the first year)*
• Hybrid-work program for eligible positions
• Employer paid defined benefit pension plan
• On-campus tuition waiver for employees and their immediate family members*
• Off-campus tuition reimbursements and professional development funds*
• And more!

*Prorated for part-time employees

Additional Information

The pay range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for the position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the pay range.