Manager, Finance, Grants and Contracts

Department: G360
This position is classified under the Grant & Trust Professional Group

Temporary full-time from 11/18/2024 to 11/17/2026

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.
SuccessFactors: Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

General Purpose

Established in 2007, the Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute (MG360) represents the University of Guelph’s response to global challenges relating to safe and sustainable water supplies that support human populations and ecosystems. MG360 is a platform for transformational change in how we think about and engage with stakeholders from the community, government, municipalities, industry, agriculture, and engineering consulting firms, to advance research knowledge, expertise and technology relating to bedrock groundwater systems.

With an annual operating budget of $3-5M, MG360 leads multi-institutional, multi-college (within the University of Guelph) and multi-disciplinary collaborative research projects and programs to better understand and manage groundwater flow and contaminant behaviour, and to communicate advances in tools, methods and technologies to the stakeholder community. The Institute hosts: (1) field-based sponsored research on privately owned industrial sites; (2) publicly funded programs and large multi-institution collaborations that are provincial, national and international in scope; (3) a major External Sponsors and Partnership program, The University Consortium for Field-Focused Groundwater Research with numerous Federal and Provincial grants and (4) a globally unique Research Station, the Bedrock Aquifer Field Facility, located at the University of Guelph.

You are an energetic and enthusiastic financial professional who thrives in supporting the financial and administrative functions of a research institute. You excel at managing budgets, overseeing expenditures, and handling various financial tasks to enable and advance research activities. You have a keen eye for optimizing processes, ensuring financial efficiency, and maximizing the impact of every dollar spent.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the MG360 Director and Chief Operating Officer, the Manager Finance, Grants & Contracts will play a key role in the efficient, effective and accountable financial control and reporting of a portfolio of grant- and contract-funded research programs valued at $3-5M annually with more than 80 active accounts.

Key duties include:
Financial Planning & Reporting

• Collaborate with leadership to shape MG360’s financial strategy and grant applications.
• Prepare budget forecasts and financial reports for stakeholders; forecasting current commitments and future needs, related to strategic directions of the Institute.
• Provide financial updates at meetings and workshops.

Financial Operations

• Manage accounting, supervise project expenditures, and monitor over 80 accounts.
• Engage with partners and sponsors to ensure financial and in-kind support, prepare and manage invoicing for contract research.
• Tracking project and program expenditures, including invoicing for income, payments, and cost assignments and disbursements.

Risk Management

• Implement risk mitigation strategies, maintain control systems, and assist auditors.
• Maintain reliable financial control systems, ensure accurate record-keeping, and report financial risks.

Relationship Management

• Act as a liaison between MG360 and the UoG’s Research Financial Services; in collaboration with leadership, act as liaison for contractual matters with UoG’s Research Services Office and others.
• Build strong relationships with PIs, university departments, industrial partners, and collaborators.

Requirements

• Undergraduate Degree in Accounting, Finance or other related field together with a minimum of 4 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience in developing financial reports and monitoring variances
• Comprehensive knowledge of computer financial software, including MS Office Suite – particularly MS Excel, and Google Suite
• Excellent organizational skills as well as the ability to prioritize and adapt to competing demands
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with numerous stakeholders
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills
• Positive attitude to ensure the Institute is effectively managing its reporting and compliance requirements for all funding

In addition, the following would be considered assets:

• Experience in public sector financial management and/or familiarity with the academic environment

Employee Type: Temporary
Classification: Grant/ Trust fund position, P&M FT- Band 04
GTP Professional/Managerial Salary Bands

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 10/28/2024
Close Date: 11/07/2024