Job Description

Sr. Finance Officer, Real Estate

As part of the Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) team, the Campus Planning & Real Estate unit provides knowledge, data, strategy and implementation for real estate acquisitions and disposals, land use planning, property and leasing management, institutional space planning, asset management, land development, real estate business opportunities, campus master plan and GIS. Key assets include several off-campus academic buildings and research support facilities as well as commercial properties. The USask real estate portfolio includes approximately 20,000 acres of land, 10,000 acres of minerals, 150 leases, and important off-campus academic and research facilities. Related projects and responsibilities include an 800,000 square feet of retail space, a hotel development, communications facilities and specialized research facilities.

Primary Purpose: To be the team lead in providing the unique accounting processes, detailed financial analysis, and transactional oversight, required in all aspects of planning, managing and reporting on a diverse multi-million dollar real estate portfolio.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Manager, Campus Planning and Real Estate, the position works collaboratively within the real estate team and more broadly with others on all types of strategic support for land, facilities, space and capital planning. A strong ability to concentrate is required to manage multiple projects with competing timelines in a fast-paced environment and when applying analytical and problem-solving skills. Communication and collaboration skills are necessary when working as a team member; as well as the ability to gather input and shift to much more independent and analytical work. Building and maintaining effective relationships with many individuals and groups at all levels of the organization and with external clients, consultants, advisors and stakeholders is required to successfully complete projects. This position demands tactful and firm conflict management skills to resolve problems and complete assignments which may be urgent or highly sensitive in nature. A high degree of accuracy is required as recommendations tend to have long term impacts. Due to the complex nature of agreements, a passion for attention to detail is required to mitigate the significant impact of error.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• Lead the financial and accounting aspects of the management of revenue properties including operating cost reconciliations, annual budgeting, planning and budgeting for capital expenditures, and reviewing monthly property financials to assess accuracy;
• Manage rent collection and rental payment process which includes preparing invoices to ensure they align with lease agreements, overseeing transaction support staff, and tracking trends and details that require special treatment;
• Ensure real estate-related financial activities comply with legislation; general accounting principles; agreements with external parties; USask policies and procedures; and recommends corrective action for issues identified to be non-compliant;
• Develop annual and multi-year budget forecasts, monitoring transactions and preparing accurate financial reports for real estate related funds. Budgeting, approving quotes for capital repairs, maintenance and projects on key assets in off-campus locations;
• Perform verification activities and auditing complex agreements and relationships that the University has with other entities to ensure that agreements are being followed and that data is presented accurately;
• Cultivate positive financial relationships with internal and external parties that encourage forthright and open negotiation and agreements with the utmost level of integrity;
• Lead in formulating models, identifying risks, and negotiating USask institutional interests in special real estate projects that can be complex and that may require a high degree of analysis and recommendation of proactive management solutions;
• Develop financial real estate cost tracking and recovery models that are market based and defensible in negotiations with external partners;
• Work with property managers, service contracts, appraisers, tax assessors and other real estate professionals to solve problems in the best interest of the institution;
• Prepare exceptionally clear financial and written analysis, and present convincing data, that will be used in senior management and Board of Governors decision-making;
• Manage USask property tax responsibilities including applying for and tracking exemptions;
• Research market data on property values and develop justifiable rental agreement models used to formulate management recommendations;
• Provide financial, analytical and presentation expertise to associated planning, development, space and capital projects as opportunities arise.

Education: Bachelor of Commerce or Administration with a professional accounting designation.

Experience: A minimum of 7 to 10 years hands-on experience in financial analysis and presentation of data in a real estate environment or equivalent. Sound understanding of business processes and issues related to real estate operations, leases, land ownership, property taxes, easements, utilities and mineral rights.

Skills: Advanced knowledge of financial accounting, intermediate knowledge of corporate tax, governance and internal controls. Keeps current with changing laws, GAAP, taxation. An analytical ability that facilitates the formulation of recommendations that support sound decision-making and a developed level of scrutiny and inquiry that leads to the discovery of underlying causes and circumstances. Effective organizational skills with proven ability to work on multiple projects with competing demands to meet deadlines; willingness and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment; effective and exemplary communication skills; strong interpersonal skills - tactful persistence and ability and initiative in interacting with others; high attention to detail; ability to work independently and confidence to ask for guidance when required; demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and Power Point. Must be receptive to learning, constructive feedback, change and continuous improvements in work techniques. Must interact regularly and effectively with broad range of USask stakeholders and external partners.

Department: Campus Planning & Real Estate
Status: Permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $83,468.00 - 139,027.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 3
Posted Date: 12/4/2023
Closing Date: 12/17/2023 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: May be eligible for hybrid work under the terms of USask\'s Alternative Workspace Guidelines

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where \'Yes\' is indicated below. Further information is available at:

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver\'s License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan\'s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the M\xc3\xa9tis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and M\xc3\xa9tis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.

University of Saskatchewan