City : Hamilton

Category : Other

Industry : Education

Employer : McMaster University

Working closely with the Faculty Dean, the Director, Finance and Administration (DFA) provides leadership for the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and for the management of financial, human, and physical resources in support of the core mission of Faculty of Social Sciences and the University.

The Faculty of Social Sciences is home to ten schools and departments, undergraduate and graduate degree programs that offer over 50 degree options, multiple research centres, groups, and research platforms.  The Faculty includes approximately 135 full-time Faculty who conduct research and teach in our educational programs and about 75 staff who provide support services to departments, programs, faculty and students.  The Faculty enrols about 4,100 undergraduate and 300 graduate students.  The Dean’s office provides strategic direction and overall administrative support and coordination working with both local departments, schools, and programs and Faculty-wide units such as the Office of the Associate Dean Academic.  The annual operating budget of the Faculty is approximately $45 million.

In consultation with the Dean, the DFA directs the management and delivery of Faculty administrative services, and the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic short- and long-term plans that support the mission of the Faculty. These Administrative Services include: Finance, Human Resources, Space Management, Capital and Renovation Project Management, Health and Safety, as well as Risk Management. The DFA is responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing excellent standards in the core Faculty administrative systems that support faculty, staff and students in all areas within the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The DFA represents the Faculty in consultations with, or advice to, other University departments, divisions or portfolios regarding University-wide administrative practices, processes or policies; develops and maintains internal and external relations within the University and the broader community; provides advice and policy interpretation to the Dean, Associate Deans, Chairs, Directors, Managers and Administrators; and ensures Faculty administrative policies and procedures are in compliance with University policies and Government regulations.

Strategic Leadership

In collaboration with the Dean and in accordance with University policies, the DFA develops and implements short- and long-term strategic administrative, academic and research plans to support the Faculty strategic priorities. The DFA provides strategic guidance to the Dean, Associate Deans, Chairs, Directors, Managers and Administrators, and in particular, anticipates and identifies the resource implications of such plans and initiatives, and recommends ways to ensure their implementation and long-run sustainability. The DFA is expected to keep abreast of governmental and university plans, priorities and initiatives, and to represent the Faculty to colleagues across campus, in informal discussions and formal committee meetings.  The DFA advises the Dean on all final decisions regarding budget allocations. 

Financial Leadership

The DFA oversees financial administration and management for the Faculty.  Informed by a strong understanding of general accounting principles and the University’s activity-based budget model:

• Lead the development, planning and preparation of the Faculty’s annual report for the University Budget Committee, and any required financial updates.
• Participate in discussions about the annual budgets of other activity and support units at the University Budget Committee.
• Develop and implement effective internal controls and procedures for all Faculty financial activities, monitor the operating budget, and assist academic and administrative units in the Faculty in developing, monitoring and understanding their annual budgets.
• Oversee the Faculty’s trust funds, ensuring that funds are spent in compliance with the donor’s wishes/gift agreement and in accordance with university policies.
• Advise on the appropriate interpretation and implementation of Faculty and University budget and financial procedures and systems.
• Negotiate or review all non-routine contracts or agreements to protect the financial interests of the Faculty and ensure compliance with relevant University policies.
• Approve financial and budgetary reports, ensuring adherence to all University policies and reporting requirements.

Administrative Leadership

The DFA provides leadership to ensure the effective, efficient administrative management of the Faculty’s human and physical resources.

Human Resources

The effective, efficient management of the Faculty’s human resources includes the following core responsibilities.

• Champion initiatives and policies that create an inclusive and supportive work environment.
• Develop and update short- and long-term plans regarding human-resource needs of the Faculty.
• Review and approve new staff positions within the Faculty, changes in employee status, revisions in job descriptions, and alignment with university policies and collective agreements.
• Coordinate performance management, and performance review for all staff to ensure compliance with policies and collective agreements, including for the Academic Department Managers, Program Administrators and other staff who report directly to the DFA.
• Support organizational development through succession planning, orientation of new staff, training, and the professional development of staff.
• Resolve or enable other staff to resolve interpersonal and other conflicts among staff.
• Develop, implement and evaluate security measures, and ensure a safe and healthy workplace, in part by ensuring that all employees receive the appropriate health and safety or and other required training.  In conjunction with the Joint Health and Safety Committee, ensure compliance with all Health and Safety legislation and with University policies and procedures.
• Work with the Dean and the Senior Management Team to administer and support university planning, including the University’s Emergency Planning, Business Continuity and Crisis Management Planning.
• Manage, and provide advice with respect to, labour relations of all Faculty employees to ensure compliance with collective agreements, government legislation and regulation, and university policies.

Physical Resources

• Advise the Dean on the allocation of Faculty-controlled space to advance the core mission of the Faculty.
• Anticipate space requirements based on forecasted enrollments, research activities, staffing levels, and resource availability.
• Work with Facility Services and others to ensure that spaces are maintained and updated as necessary.
• Develop and oversee financial plans for major capital building and renovation projects, and for major facilities-related purchases.
• Work with the Faculty Manager of Information Technology in collaboration with other units on campus to ensure that members of the faculty have access to appropriate information technologies, IT software and applications, IT services, and IT support.

Education and Experience

The ideal candidate will have the following education, experience, and skills.

• A Master degree in a relevant field and a CGA or CPA.

Experience

• 10 years professional management experience at a senior level working in a complex and culturally diverse environment, preferably in a University setting.
• Proven leadership ability; success in planning, evaluating and implementing plans to achieve desired outcomes and ensure continuous improvement.
• Experience with a large and diverse complex organization in a financial capacity with a varied and diverse portfolio.
• Experience in an environment where collegiality and consensus decision-making is valued.
• Experience in human resource and labour relations management in a multi-union environment.
• Proven track record in the development and management of large and complex budgets.

Skills

• Strong strategic and financial planning and management skills.
• Highly developed entrepreneurial skills and orientation and record of achievement in this area.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain critical stakeholder relationships for an organization.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills.
• Superior interpersonal and communications skills.
• Sophisticated understanding of administrative operations (e.g. finance, human resources, facility operation, and Information Technology etc.).
• Strong project management, problem-solving and negotiation skills.
• Proven success in implementing processes improvement.
• Ability to work in a diverse and team based collaborative environment.
• Ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities and deadlines and make decisions in difficult situations.
• Ability to deal with a diverse audience in a multicultural environment.
• Service focus and advocate of a student-centered environment.