Director, Finance

Job Summary

The Director, Finance is a senior leadership role providing strategic financial oversight for the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Faculty of Dentistry. The position is responsible for the fiscal management of a combined $95 million operating budget and an overall budget of approximately $75 million, including Ministry funding, research grants, and development resources. The Director leads long-term financial planning, policy interpretation, and the effective administration of financial practices across both Faculties, while serving as a key liaison with the University’s Comptroller’s Office to ensure alignment of institutional priorities and information flow.

This role shapes strategic direction by identifying risks, opportunities, and organizational impacts, and by offering authoritative advice on complex financial and operational matters. The Director must maintain awareness of the broader economic, political, and sector context in which the University operates and cultivates strong relationships with senior leaders and key stakeholders. Working closely with the Deans, the Director provides leadership and guidance to Associate and Assistant Deans, Directors, Program Directors, and staff, supporting effective financial stewardship and the successful advancement of faculty priorities.

Organizational Status
This position reports directly to the University Comptroller and dotted line to the Deans of the two Faculties. The Director of Finance is a senior leadership role responsible for providing comprehensive financial leadership, expertise and direction to two Faculties: 1)Pharmaceutical Sciences and 2) Dentistry.

The role has regular contact with senior management in central service offices, e.g. VP-Academic & Provost Office, Financial Operations, Budget Office, Research Services, Faculty Relations, Treasury, Legal Affairs, etc., as well as with senior management in other faculties. Internally represents the Faculties in financial and/or other administrative matters, the position works closely with the Associate Deans, the Department Heads and School Directors regarding the financial administration of the Faculties.

Considered one of the best pharmaceutical sciences schools in the world, UBC’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences educates annually over 1,000 undergraduate students and trains more than 60 graduate students. Its alumni, numbering close to 7,000, have established themselves as successful pharmacists, scientists, teachers, entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators the world over.

The Faculty of Dentistry is a leading dental school in Canada, educating over 550 students with over 575 full and part time faculty. With nearly 4,000 alumni, the Faculty of Dentistry makes a difference through innovative educational programming, impactful research and building connecting in the dental community.

Work Performed
Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Provides vision and strategic financial leadership aligned with organizational objectives.

• Advises senior leadership on the effective allocation and use of financial resources, evaluates budget initiatives, and makes informed recommendations that consider alternatives, risks, and long-term implications.

• Leads the development of business plans, multi-year financial strategies, and detailed annual operating budgets and forecasts for the Faculties.

Financial Stewardship, Reporting & Performance Management

• Ensures transparent and accountable financial stewardship across all units. Establishes, monitors, and reports on meaningful financial and operational key performance indicators.

• Oversees the preparation of accurate financial reports, models, projections, variance analyses, and executive summaries.

• Ensures senior leadership receives timely information and directs the investigation and resolution of financial issues, discrepancies, or emerging risks.

Business Planning, Risk & Opportunity Assessment

• Reviews and evaluates new business initiatives, including cost-recovery models, program proposals, and revenue-generating opportunities, and provides evidence-based recommendations to the Deans.

• Advises on the Faculties’ financial risk profile, internal control environment, and business continuity considerations, ensuring the financial integrity and sustainability of operations.

Systems, Policies & Internal Controls

• Partners with the Comptroller’s team to ensure financial policies, systems, and procedures support strong decision-making and long-term operational viability.

• Leads the implementation and optimization of University-wide financial systems within the Faculties

• Directs process reviews and re-engineering initiatives to improve efficiency, financial control, and accountability.

• Leads the development of the audit plan, reviews internal audit findings, and ensures appropriate follow-up and corrective actions are in place.

Collaboration & Institutional Influence

• Collaborates with senior members of central Finance to align priorities, resolve system and process challenges, and support institution-wide financial initiatives.

• Makes decisions on complex or unusual accounting transactions and communicates analysis and implications clearly to leadership.

Team Leadership & People Management

• Provides leadership to the Faculties’ finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, service excellence and continuous improvement.

• Sets clear goals and expectations, oversees workload planning, and actively supports the growth and development of team members through effective performance management, coaching, mentorship, and professional development. Facilitates succession planning and cross-training to build depth, resilience, and continuity within the Finance team. Ensures the team has the skills, training, and resources necessary to deliver high-quality financial analysis, reporting, and advice, while promoting strong staff engagement and high-performing team dynamics.

Other duties as assigned.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
As a key executive position in the Comptroller’s Office and the Faculties of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dentistry, this position must exercise good judgment and ensure due process has been followed in all areas. Errors of judgment or procedure in financial or other matters could lead to serious financial issues for the University. Any lapse in judgment in any area of responsibility could seriously undermine the Faculties’ credibility. Errors in long term strategic planning could have a lasting negative impact.

Supervision Received
Reports directly to the University Comptroller with dotted line reporting to the Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Dean of Dentistry. Works within broad mandates, with work review in terms of achievement of strategic goals.

Supervision Given
Oversees financial operations and provides leadership to the two faculty finance teams - the Pharmaceutical Sciences team and the Dentistry team, ensuring accurate reporting, strong financial controls, and effective support of faculty objectives.

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

Minimum of nine years of related experience in financial planning, budgeting and controls, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Ability to develop and implement strategic business plans.

- 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

• Proven financial planning and modeling for accurate analysis, forecasting and reporting, systems development, and budgeting is required.

• Management level experience is required in strategic planning, facilitative leadership, business process improvement and systems re-engineering.

• Effective financial and management skills; the ability to master detail while understanding broader concepts.

• Ability to identify, as well as creatively solve problems and take initiative to improve processes.

• Ability to work creatively, resourcefully and effectively.

• Strong oral and written skills; ability to think strategically and implement actions to move complex issues forward; proven judgment and decision-making skills.