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Associate Director, Commerce and Receivables (Finance)

Job ID: 32463
Location: Main Campus
Updated September 12, 2024

This job posting is no longer active.

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We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta.
The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.

Description

Accounts Receivable within Finance is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Associate Director, Commerce and Receivables.

Reporting to the Director, Financial Operations, the Associate Director, Commerce and Receivables plays a critical leadership role within the Financial Operations leadership team. In this role, the incumbent will collaborate with leadership to develop and execute strategic plans for commerce and receivables management. The position will identify opportunities for process improvement and revenue enhancement and implement best practices for financial controls and risk management. This position leads the Accounts Receivable and Student Receivables functional areas, leading a team of managers, supervisors, finance professionals, and staff. The incumbent provides leadership and oversight for multiple campus-wide processes, including cash controls, invoicing of third-party organizations for commercial, research and sponsorship activities, collections, and management of student receivables. Building collaborative relationships with key stakeholders in the Registrar's Office, Research Services, Finance, and Faculties / Units across campus is critical.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Management / Leadership:

  • Effectively lead a team of Managers, Supervisors, Analysts and Specialists, providing direction and guidance in the provision of services for stakeholder groups, including coaching related to university standards and processes and through to resolution of problems of a complex and challenging nature.
  • Lead the development, design and implementation of policies, procedures, and operating standards to effectively manage commerce and receivable functions across the institution.
  • Oversee the integrity of the receivable ledger and general ledger through management of account structures, student and trade account processes, collections, refunds, and maintenance of internal control procedures.
  • Lead the coordination and integration of student fee assessment functions with the Registrar's Office, and other departments with revenue and selling activity.
  • Accountable for the financial stewardship of the operational unit (variance analysis, financial projections, authority to spend).
  • Ensure effective policies, procedures, systems, and best practices are followed. 
  • Promote a strong financial control environment at the university.
  • Authorize release of large value payments to Third Party Student Vendors.
  • Develop and oversee evaluation and control mechanisms to ensure accurate and compliant data management over a multi-million-dollar transactional base.
  • Select, train, manage, support, and evaluate staff; provide feedback and development opportunities; coach the performance of individuals to achieve continuous improvement; stimulate and support creativity and innovation in others through strong leadership.

Strategic Planning / Projects:

  • Streamline financial processes, evaluate existing systems, recommend continuous improvement opportunities, and implement enhancements. 
  • Close collaboration with IT, ERP teams, Research Accounting, Research Services and Enrollment Services to implement technological solutions that enhance overall efficiency and accuracy.
  • Collaborate with all levels of leadership to develop and execute strategic plans related to commerce and receivables.
  • Implement effective billing and collection processes for student tuition/fees and trade/grant receivables ensuring timely payments. 
  • Establish guidelines and communication tools to facilitate understanding and compliance with university policies and procedures.
  • Remain current on factors that would initiate change, such as University policies and procedures, changes in Public Sector Accounting Standards, legislation, etc.
  • Resolve key concerns and ad-hoc issues, making recommendations to resolve these issues through the development of procedures, practices, and associated management tools while balancing conflicting needs of many stakeholders.

Communication/Relationships:

  • Ensure communications are timely, informative, and appropriately represent Finance and the University.
  • Manage complex University issues and challenging interpersonal interactions with composure and diplomacy while maintaining confidentiality.
  • Provide opinions and advice that are considered appropriate and reliable.
  • Proactively develop and maintain trustworthy, productive, problem-solving working relationships with colleagues and staff, across the University community.
  • Create an environment where knowledge sharing, support, training tools, coaching and staff development ensure service levels meet or exceed client expectations.
  • Develop training materials / programs for staff and stakeholder groups.
  • Contribute information and expertise and keep up to date on relevant current trends and developments with colleagues at other Canadian universities, professional organizations, and government department and agencies.

Qualifications / Requirements:

  • A Canadian accounting designation (CPA) with a related university degree or MBA.
  • A minimum of ten years of progressively more senior levels of experience in various accounting and analysis functions with five or more years management experience.
  • Strong team leadership skills are required.
  • Strong organizational, interpersonal, and verbal/written communication skills are required to ensure client-facing functions are effectively managed. 
  • The ability to communicate effectively and to build strong working relationships with senior leaders, faculty, administrators, and staff is essential.
  • Experience with and a solid understanding of internal controls and risk management frameworks.
  • Sound consulting and business partnering skills including negotiating and influencing, change management, coaching and mentoring, decision making, problem solving and client relationship development.
  • Intermediate to expert user of computer software applications, including large integrated enterprise resource planning systems, data warehousing and business intelligence tools.
  • Experience with not-for-profit accounting, and a strong understanding of the university policies, structures, and operations.

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is classified in the Management Career Band, Level 3 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. 

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role. 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

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