Job Description

Description

Research Accounting

within

Finance

is currently seeking a Full-time Regular

Director, Research Accounting

.


Under the overall direction of the Vice President (Finance and Services) and CFO, the position leads the Research Accounting and RPA team in providing and promoting strategic, specialized, integrated, and comprehensive research accounting support and Robotics Process Automation (RPA) solutions across the University of Calgary (UCalgary) community and beyond in support of academic, research, and learning activities.


This role requires a proactive approach in a complex environment with a strong understanding of the university environment, operational activities, and key business stakeholders opinions. This individual will exercise independent discretion and judgement and will operate across all aspects of managerial decisions. This role demands a high level of interaction and is front facing which requires tact and diplomacy, confidentiality, ability to gain respect and trust, and a requirement to build strong working relationships across UCalgary. The impact of decisions made by this position will be university wide. The delivery of this work must align with required service delivery for all stakeholders with consistent standards and internal controls across all areas.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

(job functions include but are not limited to):


Strategic Leadership for Research Accounting and RPA Teams

Assure strategic alignment through prioritization, resource capacity management, key result tracking, budget planning and allocation, and Finance service supports to achieve the strategic vision of the institution. Develops, monitors, and meets unit business plan; translating and interpreting the institutional strategic plan to develop business unit objectives, critical success factors and implement appropriate performance measurements. Defining and enabling the financial, operational, and cultural components that drive continuous improvement and successful transformations. Financial management reporting associated with these areas and service delivery for all stakeholders involved. Working within or exceeding the expectations of service delivery to the university community Ensuring that Research Accounting and RPA solutions meet the needs of the University's core activities of the academy, research, learning and service Aligning all initiatives within their department with the UCalgary strategic direction, ethics, values, and professional standards Ensuring that stakeholder expectations are negotiated, agreed to, and incorporated into the service plan process with service standards and delivery which are consistent. The incumbent will ensure: + A flexible work environment within the unit that can adapt quickly to change
+ Stay current on the latest finance; academic, research and related business principles
+ Manage staff workload allocation, tracking and justification
+ Stakeholder consultation, liaison, coordination, cooperation, and feedback
+ Active membership in various committees
+ Quality assurance
+ Staff Development
+ Personal leadership development
+ All team members have the equipment, information, and training necessary to do their jobs.


Relationship Management

Through significant interaction and collaboration with internal and external partners and participants, influences the direction of strategies and initiatives related to Research Accounting and RPA and demonstrates a high level of engagement skills. Creates and builds commitment to the vision for Research Accounting & RPA through effective communication strategies. Serves as a role model in the development of an organizational culture and promotion of the vision for the department. Actively develops close partnerships with the Executive and Senior Management Teams, Finance functional leaders and service providers as well as other UCalgary departments including Information Technology, Human Resources, Communications, and front-line management. Leads and supports the Research Accounting and RPA team in fostering and building collaborative, supportive relationships with assigned portfolios providing a high level of service university wide

People Management

Strategic use of Finance resources in providing the most effective and efficient delivery of research accounting and RPA services. Provides leadership to the Research Accounting and RPA team Develops succession plans and mentorship strategies to ensure assigned Research Accounting and RPA employees are engaged and encouraged to grow into positions of greater opportunity and accountability.

Change Leadership

Ability to build strategy, initiate, implement and support new or modified approaches, practices, and processes in the organization. Recognizes need for change across service areas and sets priorities accordingly. Engages key stakeholders in change process, understands the impact on both internal and external stakeholders and manages risks and benefits accordingly. Continually analyses the change process and makes necessary adjustments to maximize effectiveness.

Resource Management

Leads and manages the overall finance and accounting support for researchers and project holders and RPA program. Strategizes, plans, and determines allocation of resources, authorizes, and controls expenditures, and is accountable for managing resources within Research Accounting and RPA. Develops and implements strong performance management framework (with appropriate KPIs/continual improvement) for Research Accounting and RPA unit.

Risk Management

Applies a pragmatic risk management stance to design and rollout processes and controls to meet stakeholder needs. Promotes an environment that fosters quality improvement and a culture of safety for all staff. Commits to continually improving health and safety performance through promotion of culture supporting hazard assessment, risk management, incident identification, reporting and correction, and compliance with applicable internal controls, regulations, policies, and safe work practices.

Qualifications / Requirements:

The successful candidate must possess an academic and research focus and demonstrate ten or more years' progressively more responsible experience in the planning, developing, and managing of the support of academic and research uses of Finance in a complex research and university setting. A track record of creating an agile service culture and best-in-class service delivery. Experienced leading finance transformations, continuous improvement, and change management projects in an academic and research setting. Strong organizational, interpersonal, and written communication skills are required to ensure this client-facing function is effectively managed. The ability to communicate effectively with executive and senior management, faculty, administrators, staff, is essential. This role demands a high level of interaction and is front-facing which requires tact and diplomacy, confidentiality, ability to gain respect and trust, and a requirement to build strong working relationships across UCalgary. A record of strong leadership and a strategic vision must be combined with awareness of current and emerging developments in educational finance, academic and research environments. Demonstrated specialize experience in creating service performance management frameworks and taking action to correct performance where required. This is specific to the deployment of Finance resources to ensure services levels are set up and maintained in accordance with the needs. Professional accounting designation (CPA, CA, CMA, CGA) and a related University degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge of national and regional research funding environment and the research culture of universities is a strong asset.

Application Deadline:

December 22, 2025

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 4

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 ii' taa'poh'to'p 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.


The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

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 Institutional Commitments (

oic@ucalgary.ca

) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture (

hrhire@ucalgary.ca

).

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.