The Role
Serve as a strategic financial advisor to college leaders: develop and manage budgets, forecast and analyze variances, implement financial policies and controls, lead financial reporting, mentor staff, supervise an Accounting Analyst, and support strategic planning and special projects to optimize departmental financial performance.
Summary Generated by Built In
When you join Okanagan College, you’re joining a team that’s transforming lives and communities.
Every course you create, every student you support and every connection you build, it all matters.
Be a part of a vibrant campus community, where the work you do every day truly makes a difference.
Position End Date: January 14, 2028
Salary Range: $81,724 to $108,966 with a typical starting salary between $98,070 and $108,996 annually
Type of appointment: Administrator - Term Full-time
Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00 to 4:00 pm
Your Opportunity
The Business Partner, under the direction of the Associate Director of Financial Planning, serves as a strategic financial advisor to administrators and leaders within Okanagan College, aligning with the institution’s vision of empowering individuals and communities. This role is integral in developing, analyzing, and implementing financial frameworks and initiatives that support the operational objectives of their client group and, where necessary, coordinates the efforts of staff members.
Aligning with Okanagan College’s commitment to students, communities, and sustainable development, the Business Partner collaborates closely with College leaders to assess service requirements, identify and monitor challenges, and ensure the consistent and accurate application of relevant legislation and College policies. The Business Partner will work within the Financial Services team, advocating for best practices and strategic programs, policies, and initiatives, which support the College’s strategic plan and its overarching goals.
Aligning with Okanagan College’s commitment to students, communities, and sustainable development, the Business Partner collaborates closely with College leaders to assess service requirements, identify and monitor challenges, and ensure the consistent and accurate application of relevant legislation and College policies. The Business Partner will work within the Financial Services team, advocating for best practices and strategic programs, policies, and initiatives, which support the College’s strategic plan and its overarching goals.
Functions and Duties
- Planning, organizing, and directing initiatives for the efficient management of financial resources.
- Monitoring the overall financial effectiveness and efficiency of all units within the client portfolio/department(s), and instituting changes as necessary in consultation with the portfolio/department(s) leadership.
- Providing advice on the application of financial policies and procedures.
- Coordinating and overseeing development and implementation of financial systems, policies, and procedures.
- Collaborating with portfolio/department(s) leadership to develop short and long-range financial plans to optimize the portfolio or department’s financial effectiveness in conjunction with portfolio/department(s) and College strategic goals.
- Managing the coordination and review of annual budgets, quarterly variance analysis and forecasting for all units within the client’s portfolio/department(s).
- Acting as liaison between the portfolio/department(s) and Finance on all financial matters.
- Providing financial advice, support, and assistance to portfolio/department(s) staff.
- Providing strategic direction and guidance to the portfolio/department(s) leaders.
- Leading the development and management of all financial reporting requirements related to units within the portfolio/department(s), from transactional level details required to support monthly reconciliation processes to summarized management reports to enable decision-making.
- Monitoring existing internal controls throughout the portfolio/department(s) and ensuring internal controls are operating effectively; reviewing internal controls continuously to ensure efficiency is maximized and risks are mitigated.
- Acting as a member of the portfolio/department(s) leadership team, participating in strategic, budget, resource, and staffing processes.
- Providing strategic advice to units consistent with organizational objectives on the effective and efficient use of financial resources.
- Developing key objectives and tactics as required to meet the strategic objectives of the portfolio/department(s), linking financial goals with departmental planning and operations.
- Identifying and researching issues and coordinating the resolution of these issues.
- Working in close partnership with portfolio/department leaders on special projects and projects of a sensitive, confidential nature by identifying issues, researching background materials,
- Strategizing, developing, presenting, and implementing recommendations, and delivering related communication on behalf of the portfolio.
- Providing finance related mentoring and education for staff.
- Participating in the development and delivery of campus wide training initiatives.
- Acting as a thought partner to leaders.
- Working with all stakeholders to build consensus in planning processes and initiatives.
- Establishing relevant financial indicators for each unit in the portfolio/department(s) and monitoring their performance.
- Supervises the Accounting Analyst, including assignment of duties, health and safety, orientation, training and staff development, recognition and reward, performance management and evaluation, scheduling, prioritization of work requirements and in consultation with the Associate Director, completes recruitment and selection, as well as disciplinary action, as required.
- Leads, guides and motivates staff in maintaining high performance standards and customer satisfaction levels
- Working closely with directors and managers in the portfolio/department(s) as well as People Services to support organizational planning.
- Working in collaboration with other Finance Services Business Partners to share knowledge, best practices, and opportunities for efficiencies.
- Keeping abreast of issues pertaining to units within the portfolio, including participation on College committees.
- Promoting open and transparent communications.
- Performing other related duties as required.
Financial Management
Contributes to strategic planning and direction for the portfolio/department(s)
Establishes best practices and develops capacity across the portfolio/department(s)
Supervision
Other
Education and Experience
Completion of a 4-year accounting related degree (Business Administration or Commerce) with a CPA accounting designation or equivalent is required.
A minimum of 5 years of progressive related experience, including 3 or more years of supervisory/management experience. Preferred experience includes familiarity with public sector accounting, cost accounting and project management.
A minimum of 5 years of progressive related experience, including 3 or more years of supervisory/management experience. Preferred experience includes familiarity with public sector accounting, cost accounting and project management.
Skills and Abilities
- Proficient in developing and implementing comprehensive financial strategies that align with organizational goals and operational objectives. Ability to forecast, budget, and plan effectively, considering both short-term and long-term financial implications.
- Ability to analyze financial data, identify trends, and provide actionable insights. Skilled in utilizing critical thinking to assess financial scenarios and make well-informed decisions.
- Strong capability in communicating complex financial information clearly to diverse stakeholders. Proven track record of building and maintaining collaborative relationships with leadership, departments, and external partners.
- Demonstrated experience in leading financial initiatives and mentoring team members. Ability to foster a culture of financial literacy and continuous improvement within the organization.
- Advanced skills in financial software, Microsoft Excel, and online collaborative platforms. Committed to leveraging technology for improved financial analysis, reporting, and process innovation.
Our Values
Students first: Creating meaningful life-long educational opportunities of the highest quality for alumni, current, and future students is at the heart of everything we do.
Community: We are one College. We enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to work with, learn from, and support everyone we encounter collaboratively and collegially.
Respect: We welcome, embrace, and celebrate that which make us unique in creating an environment in which every individual is valued, affirming our commitment to human dignity for all.
Courage: We are courageous in our actions in areas that contribute to positive change in our communities and beyond. We have the courage to be vulnerable. We are truthful, sincere, and act ethically with honesty and fairness.
Relationships: We steward meaningful relationships built on a foundation of reciprocity. We are compassionate, empathic, and care for the holistic well-being of students, employees, community members, and the land.
Distinction: We choose activities in which we can achieve excellence and positively impact society.
Okanagan College is committed to increasing the equitable and inclusive participation of marginalized people in all aspects of college life. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black People, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities or expressions. People with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].
Skills Required
- Completion of a 4-year accounting related degree (Business Administration or Commerce) with a CPA designation or equivalent
- Minimum of 5 years progressive related experience, including 3+ years supervisory/management experience
- Familiarity with public sector accounting, cost accounting and project management
- Advanced skills in financial software, Microsoft Excel, and online collaborative platforms
- Proven ability to develop and implement financial strategies, forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis
- Strong communication skills to convey complex financial information and build collaborative relationships with leadership
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The Company
What We Do
Okanagan College is an educational institution that provides a wide range of academic and vocational programs to prepare students for the workforce. The college emphasizes a blend of classroom instruction and practical on-the-job training through its co-operative education programs, ensuring graduates possess the skills needed to meet the demands of various professional industries.
