Deputy CFO / Associate Vice President, Finance

Deputy CFO / Associate Vice President, Finance

Position Overview

Korn Ferry is pleased to partner exclusively with our client - a top tier university based in British Columbia to recruit a Deputy CFO / AVP Finance—a pivotal executive role responsible for overseeing the finance and accounting team responsible for a multi‑billion‑dollar P&L.

Reporting to the CFO, the Deputy CFO / AVP Finance serves as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and will present financials to the committees of the Board, including Finance, Audit, Real Estate, and Investments. The role oversees an extensive finance organization encompassing budgeting, planning, capital strategy, financial reporting, controls, and operational finance functions such as payroll and procurement.

As the institution modernizes its financial structures, systems, and practices, this leader will drive strategic initiatives, institutional planning, and financial governance across a distributed and highly complex academic environment.

This position represents a unique opportunity for an accomplished financial leader and change agent to guide the modernization of a finance function within a globally recognized university and center for teaching, learning, and research.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Provides executive counsel to the CFO, Provost, Deans, and senior academic and administrative leaders.
• Promotes financial sustainability, transparency, and alignment with academic and operational priorities across faculties and portfolios.
• Leads integrated budgeting, forecasting, and long‑term financial modeling processes.
• Delivers strategic financial insights to governance bodies, including the Board of Governors, Senate Budget Committee, and senior executive committees.

Capital Planning & Oversight

• Oversees capital financial planning for major infrastructure, research, and campus development initiatives.
• Ensures alignment with institutional priorities, funding models, and long‑term sustainability goals.

Accounting, Reporting & Internal Controls

• Leads financial reporting for internal and external stakeholders, including government entities, donors, and granting agencies.
• Strengthens accounting policies, financial controls, and governance frameworks.

Finance Operations & Service Delivery

• Provides executive oversight for core finance operations, including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and procurement operations.
• Champions modernization, process excellence, efficiency, and evidence‑based decision making.
• Leads and develops a high‑performing finance team, ensuring strong succession planning, coaching, and talent development across the portfolio.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate is a seasoned senior financial executive with deep experience navigating complex, multi‑stakeholder environments. This leader brings strategic clarity, humility, and the ability to influence collaboratively across the institution.

Qualifications include:

• A CPA (or equivalent) and an academic background in finance, accounting, business, or a related field.
• At least 15 years of progressive senior financial leadership experience, ideally within a complex multi‑fund environment, preferably within the public sector, academic research organization, crown corporation, health care, or related organization.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise‑wide finance transformation.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship‑building skills with senior leaders, governing bodies, and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience preparing Board‑ready financial analysis and reporting.
• A track record of leading distributed teams and navigating complex organizational structures with diplomacy and collaboration.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and a respectful, community‑driven leadership approach.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS?

This is a mission‑driven executive opportunity to shape the financial future of a globally respected public institution. The Deputy CFO / AVP Finance will directly influence decisions that impact teaching, research, student success, and long‑term financial sustainability across a major academic enterprise.

If this is a mandate that resonates with you. We invite you to apply today.

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