Overview

Job Location:
Main Campus

Interested in a career at Langara College?

Our employees exemplify Langara's values of excellence, collegiality, innovation and integrity. If you think this position fits your qualifications, we encourage you to apply!
 

Langara College is located in Vancouver, B.C.: applicants to postings must be located in BC or willing to move to BC to accept work with Langara College. Exceptions to this will be clearly outlined in the event Langara College requires  work (or positions to be based) to be performed outside BC or Canada.

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Job Title:

Associate Director, Finance and Purchasing

Employee Group:

Administrator

Employee Type:

Permanent

Start Date:

Monday, May 19 2025

End Date (if applicable):

Job Description:

The Associate Director, Finance and Procurement, leads the preparation of all external and internal financial reporting exclusive of budgeting and forecasting, and provides coordination of General Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Student Accounts, and Purchasing. The incumbent is responsible for monitoring and reporting on performance versus budget, the administration of College-wide financial reviews, the financial accounting of College trust funds, and all cost centre expenditures. The incumbent is responsible for the College’s procurement functions, and procurement policy and framework.

 

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for providing effective leadership in financial reporting and management:

  • Monitors regulatory changes and reporting requirements and implements appropriate systems and processes to meet requirements. Provides leadership within the College by participating in decision-making processes relating to financial matters.

  • Ensures that decisions are made based on accurate information by communicating in an effective and collegial manner with all internal and external community constituents.

  • Participates in various internal and external committees, conferences, or board meetings as required by the Director, Financial Services (“the Director”).

  • In conjunction with the Director, develops, implements, and modifies policies and procedures as necessary for efficient and reliable financial operations.

  • Develops best practices and continuous improvement in financial management.

  • Contributes to the development of an overall risk and control framework for the financial function and manages its implementation and maintenance.

  • Maintains knowledge of current developments in the accounting and finance fields, policies and principles, and current legislation, which have implications for the College’s financial operations.

2. Responsible for effective and timely accounting and financial operations for the College:

  • Ensures that the College operates under the provisions of the College and Institute Act, directives from the relevant Ministries, and generally accepted business standards of a publicly funded institution.

  • Maintains an effective working relationship with cost centre managers and ensures they receive financial advice to manage their departments effectively.

  • Ensures that all financial records are in compliance with statutory regulations and generally accepted accounting principles.

  • Liaises with external auditors, bankers, government officials, and other consultants regarding financial matters.

  • Ensures the maintenance, data integrity, and security of financial data in the Finance ERP system.

  • Provides direction to the Manager, Financial Services to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the general ledger, accounting, accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.

3. Responsible for College financial reporting:

  • Ensures that control systems are in place to safeguard the assets of the College by planning, developing, and implementing accurate, timely and effective financial management reports.

  • Manages the financial review process, including the preparation of organization budget reviews, coordinating cost centre manager responses and the response of Financial Services personnel to queries.

  • Prepares monthly and quarterly financial review packages including commentary for the Board of Governors. Prepares semi-annual financial review packages including commentary for the Administration and Finance Committee of the Board.

  • Plans and oversees the execution of the annual external audit, including being a key contact for the auditors during the audit. Analyzes auditors’ reports, provide results and recommendations to the Director and the Vice-President, Administration and Finance (“the Vice President”). Ensures all required audit adjustments are implemented. Coordinates the response to audit observations and recommendations.

  • Manages and directs the preparation of timely and accurate internal and external reports, including the Annual Financial Report, Statement of Financial Information and quarterly submissions to government, for review by the Director and Vice-President.

  • Responds to requests for ad hoc reports from both internal and external sources; where appropriate consulting with the Director before responding. 

4. Responsible for College procurement framework and practices:

  • Provides strategic direction for the College’s central procurement function and ensures compliance with relevant public procurement regulations and trade agreements.

  • Provides direction to the Manager, Procurement Services to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the purchasing function.

  • Oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of the College’s procurement framework and procedures.

  • In conjunction with the Director, develops, implements, and modifies policies and procedures as necessary for efficient and reliable public procurement operations.

  • Ensures the administration and implementation of procurement practices and College controls for expenditures.

5. Responsible for the sustainment and integrity of the College’s financial ERP systems:

  • Provides strategic direction for the continuous improvement and sustainment of the College’s Finance ERP system

  • Leads the design and configuration of functional modules, including enabling new functionality, ensuring data integrity and supporting system updates

  • Reviews and approves of all new configuration changes to the ERP system.

  • Liaises with other departments and stakeholders as required to ensure integrity of the ERP system

  • Ensures the stability of integrations between the Finance ERP system and other systems, including the student information system

  • Manages and directs the operational work of the Strategic Analytics Consultant for Finance

  • In conjunction with the Director and Associate Director, Budgets, is jointly responsible for the overall management of integrating business processes, policies and procedures and operations of the Financial Services department

  • Provides training, as required, on the Finance ERP system

  • Participates in planning, developing and implementing financial information systems that meet the information needs of a variety of constituents.

  • Implements the integration of financial information with other management information databases.

6. Responsible for planning, assigning, and directing the activities of employees in the units:

  • Provides effective leadership and direction to all staff by establishing priorities and objectives and fosters effective teamwork among employees.

  • Reviews and approves of personnel decisions made by supervisors and subordinate manager(s).

  • Assigns and schedules work of direct reports and occasionally of indirect reports.

  • Responsible for the recruitment, selection, evaluation, and discipline of employees reporting directly and indirectly to the Associate Director, Finance and Purchasing.

  • Approves and monitors training and development of employees on an ongoing basis.

  • Promotes effective union/management relationships and works with union representatives to resolve programs effectively including participation in the grievance process.

7. Manages all areas of unit budget:

  • Contributes to the annual operating plan for the Financial Services Department.

  • Provides input and makes recommendations for the development and implementation of short and medium range plans, operating and capital budgets, financial reporting systems, policies and procedures for the Financial Services Department.

  • Authorizes and monitors departmental expenditures as they pertain to Purchasing, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Student Accounts, and General Accounting.

8. Acts as a resource and back-up for the Associate Director, Budgets:

  • Assumes the duties and responsibilities of the Associate Director, Budgets on an as-needed emergent basis.

  • Assists with queries and complicated analyses on an as-needed basis.

9. Assumes the duties of the Director as required. 

10. Performs other related duties/projects as required.

Qualifications Required:

Education & Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business, economics, finance or accounting.
  • CPA professional accounting designation and membership in good standing with CPA-BC.
  • Eight (8) years relevant experience in a mid to senior level financial or accounting position in areas of budgeting and financial reporting and analysis.  Management and supervisory experience required, preferably in a medium to large public sector entity. 
  • Comprehensive knowledge of budget development, financial accounting, forecasting, financial management, control and reporting procedures, practices and policies. 
  • Knowledge of planning, performance management, internal control systems and procedures and generally accepted accounting principles. 
  • Demonstrated track record of mid-level management and administrative experience.
  • Intermediate knowledge of enterprise computerized information systems used in financial and accounting applications.  Experience with Workday Finance preferred.
  • Advanced proficiency in spreadsheet (i.e., Excel) and relational database (i.e., Access or Discoverer) software in order to compile, quantify and illustrate complex financial reports, comparisons, and/or projections.

Skills & Abilities:

  • Strong organizational and prioritizing skills and the ability to work well and make decisions under pressure and meet tight deadlines. 
  • Design, implement and evaluate complex financial data, reporting methods and procedures. 
  • Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all College personnel and the external community.
  • Supervise and train employees, including organizing and assigning work.
  • Effective time management skills to handle dynamic and frequently changing priorities.
  • Effective problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Team player with excellent interpersonal skills. 
  • Analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and projections. 
  • Develop, recommend and administer sound financial strategies for a public entity. 

Leadership Competencies:

  • Solution orientation – Makes timely decisions and advances solutions that are in the best interest of the College and our students.
  • Accountability – Fosters and demonstrates a culture of accountability and ownership.
  • Relationship intelligence – Demonstrates emotional maturity and operates respectfully in all situations and dynamics.
  • Conflict resolution – Acts with courage to take on the tough issues and conversations.
  • Mobilization of people – Empowers others to be engaged, motivated and resilient through change.
  • Vision and strategic thinking – Energizes people around the vision and supports team alignment with the strategic plan.
  • Continuous learning – Cultivates a growth mindset and provides opportunities for development.
  • Communication – Uses personal interaction, transparency, and language to effectively build trust and commitment.

 

To request a copy of the job description, please contact our recruitment team.

Salary Range:

$55.59 – $85.24 per hour

Pay Grade:

Admin Paygrade 13

Compensation beyond the mid-point requires approval by the Public Sector Employers’ Council Secretariat (PSEC). 

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

35

Hours may vary according to the needs of the department. 

Closing Date:

Sunday, May 18 2025

People and Culture is committed to embracing, honoring, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace. We remain dedicated to focusing our efforts on creating an inclusive employee community that fosters a sense of safety and belonging for everyone. We humbly acknowledge that we are just beginning our journey, which includes engaging in our own internal learning and creating a data-driven action plan that supports the integration of EDI practice into the work of People and Culture and the work we do with employees and leaders. Langara College welcomes applications from everyone including people from groups that are experiencing inequity including, but not limited to, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. If there are any barriers that you are experiencing or an accommodation that we can provide to support you through the application process, please contact us.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide proof of educational and professional credentials noted on their resume.  In addition, those shortlisted with international credentials must have their education credentials evaluated through WES (World Education Services) and provide Langara College, People & Culture document evaluation access for employment purposes.

 

We thank you for your interest in Langara College and for taking the time to complete an application. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Please be advised that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted due to the number of applications received.

 

Langara is committed to enhancing our diverse workforce.