Finance Manager (HYBRID)

New Leadership Opportunity

The Department of Surgery, within the Faculty of Health Sciences, is seeking a Manager of Finance. The Manager of Finance is responsible for applying accounting principles in the day-to-day management of finances for a multi-million dollar academic and clinical department in accordance with GAAP, University, and other relevant policies and procedures. Under the direction of the Director, the candidate will be responsible for the management and administration of financial requirements in accordance with directions of the Department Chair and the Department of Surgery, university and external sponsor policies and procedures, and department goals and objectives.

The Finance Manager is supported by and directly responsible for a team of Financial Coordinators and Budget & Financial Analysts and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the finances of the Department. This entails overseeing the financial transactions of two Alternate Funding Plans (AFP) and corresponding specialty review funds, the clinical practice plan, research account reconciliation, department operating funds, and education specifically restricted funds. In addition, the Finance Manager has a liaison relationship with the surgical accounts, mostly research-related in nature, within both Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare. The Department works under a centralized model, and therefore the Finance Manager and the team are responsible for processing travel and expense reports, opening and closing accounts, and accounts payable and receivable for all faculty practices. The Manager advises the Chair and Director on University and partner Hospital financial policies and procedures. The Manager works closely with the Director, Chair, and corresponding faculty committee structures in developing annual budgets for these funds and plays a key role in the annual McMaster Pediatric Surgical Associates (MPSA) and McMaster Surgical Associates (MSA) alternative funding plan audit process.

Accountabilities:

Responsibilities include meeting all University, Regional Medical Associates, and Ministry deadlines, developing and implementing all departmental budgets, individual faculty budgets, annual personnel agreements, year-end reconciliation, and reporting up to and including trial balance for external auditors. Also responsible for Alternate Funding Plan projects, including T4 and self-employment payments to physicians; making recommendations concerning expenditure control; informing and preparing budgets for research proposals, educational contracts and trust funds, and providing input to contract negotiations as required; recommending effective strategies to maximize the financial resources; and day-to-day financial management including management and supervision of 3-4 Unifor staff as well as University Students in the department, relating to finance matters.

Are you the right candidate?

The successful candidate will have an undergraduate degree in a relevant field and 3-5 years of experience with all financial operations and reporting related to a large, multifaceted, multi-million dollar department, preferably in an academic institution. An accounting designation or working towards one is also required.

The successful candidate must have knowledge of: GAAP, University and College financial policies and procedures, Canada Revenue Agency policies. Knowledge of University Accounting Systems (including Peoplesoft – including Payroll and Hyperion) will be an asset.

It is essential that the successful candidate be highly accurate with exceptional attention to detail, have a customer service orientation, excellent organizational skills, and computer skills (MS Office- with advanced capabilities in Excel), excellent oral and written communication skills, and be able to explain financial matters clearly and in non-technical language and to positively influence processes.

Problem-solving abilities, project management experience, and the ability to manage competing deadlines effectively and efficiently as required. Candidates with in-depth knowledge and experience in Annual Personnel Agreements, Alternate Funding Plans, and Clinical Practice Plans and university budgeting will be given priority consideration.

This is a high volume, fast-paced environment and will require flexible time and irregular travel within the city to the various Department of Surgery sites. Candidates must be able to work independently and have excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

The Manager of Finance will demonstrate McMaster’s core leadership capabilities, as outlined below.

Leadership Effectiveness:

McMaster’s core leadership capabilities are designed to nurture employee engagement through best people practices. All leaders will demonstrate these Leadership Capabilities by: Taking a Strategic Approach; Communicating and Collaborating; Developing People; Investing in Relationships; Championing Change and Innovation; and Driving Results.

Important Considerations

• This position will be hybrid, with flexibility to work remotely based upon operational needs. The role requires on-site presence at the Department of Surgery Administration office at Institute of Applied Health Sciences (Main Street campus), as well as Hospital sites within Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Flexibility outside of regular business hours is required.

What We Offer
In addition to joining a top-ranked university, McMaster offers a very competitive total compensation package that includes but is not limited to:

• Employer Paid benefits such as Extended Health, Dental, Emergency Out-of-Country Travel Coverage & Basic Life Insurance.
• Participation in a Group Retirement Savings Plan.
• Training, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
• Annual Management Professional Development Allowance & Management Professional Days off (available to TMG only)
• Employee tuition assistance for continuous development and education
• Opportunity to be a part of an academic environment working alongside professionals who share a passion for learning.
• Progressive paid annual vacation plan

About McMaster University

Ranked as one of the world’s top 70 universities, McMaster University is known for teaching and research excellence. Our purpose is the discovery, communication, and preservation of knowledge. We seek to create a Brighter World through research, focused on the health and well-being of all. Through our teaching, research, and scholarship, we are committed to creativity, innovation, and excellence. We value integrity, quality, inclusiveness, and teamwork in everything we do. We inspire critical thinking, personal growth, and a passion for lifelong learning. We serve the social, cultural, and economic needs of our community and our society.

About the Department of Surgery

Over its 50+ year history, the McMaster Department of Surgery has maintained a steadfast commitment towards thinking big and making it possible.

We are a department with 11 surgical divisions and Royal College residency training programs; together, we are poised to unleash a future fueled by a creative mindset and powered by our people.

The McMaster University Department of Surgery aspires to maintain its reputation as a leading department in academic surgery, both nationally and internationally. The Department is internationally renowned for its research collaborations and innovations that are transforming surgery and medical training, establishing new frontiers in medicine and expanding the boundaries of surgical expertise. Each of our Royal College accredited surgical programs focuses on educating and training surgeons in an environment of cutting-edge technology and emerging methodologies. Our faculty, fellows, residents, medical students, and research staff are involved in research that impacts the lives of millions of individuals, transforming surgical care. On top of world-leading research and outstanding educational resources, we are committed to integrating innovative clinical care into our everyday practice.

The successful candidate will bring a positive, solutions-focused mindset, as we collectively work towards achieving the Department Vision. This Vision is based on 6 core tenets:

CREATE

Culture that includes

Research that impacts

Education that inspires

Advancement for all

Transformation through innovation and entrepreneurship

Excellence in patient care