Director, Finance

Location: Kingston, Ontario (Hybrid, minimum 3 days on-site per week)

Language: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

Background Check Requirement: Criminal record check required

An exciting opportunity awaits an experienced Finance leader to help shape a significant transformation within a large, complex post-secondary institution. As Director, Integrated Finance Services, you'll oversee financial service delivery across multiple faculties or shared-service portfolios, helping build a more collaborative, consistent and resilient Finance function.

Reporting to the Executive Director, you'll lead Finance Managers, establish trusted relationships with senior academic and administrative leaders, and help teams navigate meaningful organizational change. This role calls for an empathetic, adaptable leader who can build credibility, influence decision-making and foster a strong culture of service excellence.

• An opportunity to play a key leadership role in a significant institutional transformation, shaping the future of Finance service delivery.


• The chance to build and develop high-performing teams while strengthening collaboration, professional capabilities and service standards.


• A dynamic, relationship-driven environment where your expertise, leadership and ideas will have a lasting impact.


• Enjoy a competitive total rewards package, including comprehensive health and wellness benefits and a generous pension plan designed to support your long-term financial well-being.

• You'll provide strategic leadership and oversight of integrated Finance services across multiple faculties or shared-service portfolios, ensuring consistent, responsive and high-quality delivery.


• You'll lead, coach and empower Finance Managers, establishing clear accountabilities, supporting delegated decision-making and fostering a collaborative, service-oriented culture.


• You'll oversee annual and multi-year budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling and reporting, identifying financial pressures, opportunities and long-term sustainability risks.


• You'll serve as a trusted strategic advisor to senior academic and administrative leaders, providing financial insights, recommendations and constructive challenge to support informed decisions.


• You'll maintain an integrated view of financial performance and risk across portfolios, resolving complex financial issues and escalating matters with broader institutional implications.


• You'll strengthen financial governance, internal controls, compliance and risk management, overseeing audit requirements and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial information.


• You'll implement service standards, performance measures, governance processes and escalation protocols to improve accountability, consistency and client satisfaction.


• You'll oversee resource allocation and workload priorities across Finance teams, building operational resilience through cross-training, knowledge sharing and succession planning.


• You'll lead recruitment, performance management, coaching and professional development, creating an inclusive environment where employees feel supported through change.


• You'll champion process improvements, technology adoption and organizational transformation, promoting best practices and stronger collaboration across Finance functions.

• 7+ years of progressive experience in financial management, planning, reporting, operations and strategic financial advisory services within a large, complex organization.


• University degree in Commerce, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or a related field, along with a CPA designation or equivalent recognized professional accounting qualification.


• Significant experience leading Finance professionals through Managers, team leads or senior staff, including recruitment, performance management, coaching and workforce planning.


• Advanced expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, financial reporting, internal controls, risk assessment and managing diverse funding or revenue sources.


• Strong understanding of financial strategy, governance frameworks, compliance requirements, organizational planning and integrated Finance service delivery.


• Demonstrated experience leading organizational change, process improvement, financial systems implementations or service delivery transformation within complex environments.


• Proven ability to advise and influence senior executives and operational leaders, translating complex financial information into clear, actionable recommendations for non-financial audiences.


• Experience balancing competing priorities, managing resources across multiple business units or portfolios, and resolving complex financial and operational challenges.


• Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to build consensus, navigate sensitive stakeholder relationships and foster trust during periods of change.


• A collaborative, empathetic leadership style with strong analytical judgment, strategic thinking and a demonstrated ability to build engaged, resilient and high-performing teams.


• Experience within higher education, public sector, healthcare, research-intensive or similarly complex, service-oriented organizations is considered an asset.

All qualified applicants will receive fair consideration for employment. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities including those who identify as women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

If you require an accommodation, please review our accessibility policy and reach out to our accessibility officer with any questions.

Our human recruiters review all applications and always make the final hiring decision. On occasion, we also use AI-assisted tools to help review applications.