Please refer to the How to Apply for a Job (for External Candidates) job aid for instructions on how to apply.
If you are an active McGill employee (ie: currently in an active contract or position at McGill University), do not apply through this Career Site. Login to your McGill Workday account and apply to this posting using the Find Jobs report (type Find Jobs in the search bar).
Office of the Senior Director Student Services (OS2)
McGill Student Services is composed of seven specialties providing a wide range of services to students, including health, mental health, financial, career, disability accommodation, religious and spiritual life, transition to and from university, as well as services specific to international students. The Office of the Senior Director provides strategic leadership, operational and infrastructure excellence, and integrated communications in support of Student Services. Bringing together expertise in administration, finance, human resources, project management, communications and student engagement, OS2 enables the delivery of high-quality services and programming that enhance the student experience, and support student success and well-being.
Position Summary:
Reporting directly to the Associate Director Administration, the Finance Officer is responsible for the overall financial management of the Student Services organization, comprised of 7 specialties with an operating budget of approximately $25 million. The portfolio includes operational, philanthropic, government grants and other soft funding. The incumbent is responsible for the development and integrity of financial operations, financial planning and resource allocation across Student Services, which includes the analysis of budgets, financial statements reports, controls, short- and long-term financial forecasts, and audits. The Finance Officer will act as a resource person to the Senior Director, Service Directors, Fund Financial Managers, and other Student Services personnel. The position also oversees the Student Wellness Hub physician billing function, including claims management across 13 jurisdictions, regulatory compliance, reconciliations and quality assurance.
Major Responsibilities:
Budgeting and Reporting
- Acts as a resource person in financial matters for the Senior Director, other office leadership, and Heads of Services
- Oversees the budget preparation of individual services (7 services / 20 separate budgets / approx. $19 million) by providing the appropriate guidelines and direction. As Financial Manager, informs and advises Administrators, FFMs and Heads of Service of current University financial procedures and regulations.
- Assimilates and consolidates data from various areas, including Facilities costs. Prepares the final Student Services budget for the Executive Director’s, Deputy Provost’s and the University’s approval.
- Plans for and determines the most efficient allocation / reallocation of funds taking into consideration budget cuts and financial constraints; makes recommendations to leadership.
- Participates in the formulation of Student Services’ long-term plan, analyzing pertinent information such as projected enrolment and Quebec FTE grant estimates; determines short- and long-term forecasts for all operational and soft funds; makes revisions to these projections, as needed, to reflect changing financial priorities and/or needs.
- Participates in establishing strategic direction and oversees implementation of short- and long-term plans required for the efficient delivery of accounting services. Responsible for the annual budget planning process & in-year forecasting for 1A & 1B Funds including but not limited to the preparation of 3-year projections for soft funded Units such as Student Accessibility and Achievement (SAA).
- Develops strategic reporting for the Ministry grants, donations and provides advice with respect to smart utilization of the funds to maximize the donation gifts and grants and extend their use.
Financial Controls
- Ensures the consistent and equitable application of University financial procedures.
- Provides expertise in the development and implementation of policies, processes and guidelines that support Student Services initiatives. Monitors progress and results.
- Undertakes in-depth analysis of complex accounting issues, assesses impact to the Student Services / University, articulates alternatives and recommends solutions.
- Responsible for appraising financial procedures within Student Services to ensure that the requirements of the various areas within Student Services are met and that the procedures adhere to accounting practices and coincide with current University policies and audit recommendations. Recommends and initiates changes, as required.
- Develops procedures to ensure effective financial control mechanisms in all areas, including but not limited to segregation and designation of duties, regular and timely reconciliation of banking transactions, asset/non-asset & inventory control; ensures implementation of same.
- Ensures implementation of new initiatives that support the strategic direction of Student Services by keeping abreast of new developments and trends in field of expertise.
- Ensures the integrity and security of financial data. Ensures maintenance of accurate accounting records. Oversees document processing and storage.
- Authorizes departmental access to accounting information through Banner / MINERVA.
- Respond to audits with internal and external auditors. Acts as a liaison / resource / contact person for auditors. Facilitates the auditing process.
- Develops internal policies and procedures which meet the Service’s and the University’s needs. Develops, initiates and implements cyclical control measures, including error reports, reconciliation of central funds, inactivity, variances and over-expenditures.
- Investigates discrepancies or anomalies in accounting processes and communicates with relevant area.
- Determines the best approach to resolve financial issues between departments, vendors, Accounting and Fund Holders/Administrators.
Training, Support and Customer Service
- Supervises Accounting Coordinators and Financial Administrator. This includes planning, scheduling, training and overseeing their work in accordance with the unit's goals and objectives.
- Provides training on regular basis to FFMs, managers and administrative staff.
Student Wellness Hub Billing
- Interprets the RAMQ legislation to adjust processes and implement RAMQ billing regulatory practices.
- Adjusts practices based on the legislation changes; prepare communication for physicians to inform them about these changes.
- Oversees reconciliation of claims, billing payments and deposits for all physicians, covering the 13 different jurisdictions, each of them with their own codes, amounts, rules and regulations application.
- Oversees reconciliation of cheques and deposits to appropriate funds. Regularly reviews and refine protocols, policies and procedures.
- Oversees communication with the 13 jurisdictions to ensure changes are understood and practices are implemented accordingly.
- Implements, oversees and manages high level of customer service processes and service levels.
- Ensures month-end is performed and verified.
- Implements the physicians’ vendor contracts in collaboration with Procurement.
- Plans, organizes, distributes tasks to level the workload given the peaks and valleys during the academic year to ensure contractual agreements are respected in terms of timeline and quality.
University and Student Association Committees
- Contributes as a member of the following committees: Faculty Financial Officers (FFO) Group; various McGill Finance Committees and/or task forces.
- Represents unit at internal and/or external meetings.
Special Projects
- At the request of the Senior Director, Student Services, participates in specific assignments of a variable nature.
Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities
- Extensive knowledge of accounting and financial management principles. Proven ability to manage funds and prepare detailed budgets. Knowledge of McGill (or other University) fund types.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate, interact with various levels of staff. Service-oriented with excellent customer service skills and the ability to establish productive working relationships quickly.
- Proven aptitude and ability to train and coach support staff with a view to accomplishing joint initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative with a high degree of flexibility in managing multiple assignments.
- Experience creating comprehensive financial reports, working with complex formulas and projection models.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proven organizational skills, ability to multitask, prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
- Proven success in facilitating and maintaining strong, consistent, and positive communications to a diverse audience.
- Lived experience and/or previous work experience with diverse communities is a strong asset.
- Advanced proficiency with computerized applications including spreadsheets, databases, word-processing software, Banner FIS, Minerva, Crystal Reports, Workday.
- Superior demonstrated oral and written communication skills in both English and French.
Knowledge of French and English: McGill University is an English-language university where day-to-day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level #4-Fluent on a scale of 0-4.
Minimum Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree 3 Years Related Experience with Bachelor’s Degree /
Annual Salary:
(MPEX Grade 05) $73,470.00 - $91,840.00 - $110,210.00
Job Profile:
MPEX-FIN2B - Accounting - Professional 2
Hours per Week:
33.75 (Full time)
Supervisor:
Senior Director Student Services
Position End Date (If applicable):
Deadline to Apply:
2026-09-30
McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.
