Director, Financial Operations & Administration

Date Posted: 02/11/2026
Req ID: 46892
Faculty/Division: UofT Mississauga
Department: UTM: Office of the Vice-Principal Academic & Dean
Campus: University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)
Existing Vacancy: Yes

Description:

U of T Mississauga—the second largest campus of Canada’s top-ranked university and the only research university inOntario’s booming Peel Region—is one of the world’s great catalysts of human potential.

Our employee community hums with the energy of 3,400 faculty, librarians and staff, who power our campus with curiosity, connection and care. We work together to spark life-changing research and innovation, make an indelible mark on the world by building equitable cities and societies, enable healthy lives, create a sustainable future and ignite entrepreneurship. Above all, we prioritize student success, and seek to give our 16,500 students the lift of a lifetime through learning and discovery. We love to open opportunities available nowhere else for our community to achieve their ambitions and make their unique contributions to Canada and the world.

This work all comes together on a spectacularly green campus, alongside the Missinihe-ziibi (Trusting Creek or CreditRiver), where we seek to honour truth, reciprocity and reconciliation on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, Seneca and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We’re thrilled to welcome those who want to learn more about us and to be part of what we do.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Assistant Dean, the Director, Financial Operations and Administration (Director) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the financial, and administrative, and governance functions (Campus Affairs Community, Academic Affairs Committee, ancillary fees) of the Office of the Vice-Principal, Academic & Dean (OVPAD). The Director plays a pivotal role in advancing the academic and strategic priorities of the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) by ensuring strong financial stewardship, effective governance coordination, and streamlined administrative operations across the portfolio, including all academic units.

The Director is responsible for the comprehensive management and support of financial planning and analysis, communications and governance processes, and office administration, including human resources, health and safety, and risk management. This includes leading the adjudication of the Priorities and Equipment Fund, overseeing multi-year financial planning and carryforward overage reviews, and providing strategic financial support to all academic units.

As a senior advisor to the Assistant Dean, Vice-Principal Academic & Dean, Vice-Deans, and Associate Deans, the Director provides expert counsel on new budget development, resource allocation, organizational design, and operational effectiveness. The role also leads cross-functional initiatives, special projects, and institutional reporting that inform strategy and decision-making.

The Director provides leadership and direction to professional and managerial staff within the OVPAD—including communications, office management, faculty administration (triple A) and appointments, graduate matters, and applicable Vice Dean administrative support, ensuring coordinated service delivery, operational excellence, and a strong culture of collaboration, accountability, and inclusion. The incumbent also serves as a key liaison with the Office of the Governing Council and senior University Officers, ensuring alignment with University policies, procedures, and governance protocols.

Through strategic foresight, financial acumen, and people-centered leadership, the Director strengthens the capacity of the OVPAD to deliver on its mission and supports the University’s academic and administrative excellence.

Qualifications Required:

Education
University degree in business or related field with specialization in accounting and a professional accounting designation, or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience
A minimum of eight years of progressively senior experience in financial and administrative leadership roles, ideally within a university or similarly complex, decentralized organization. Demonstrated expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and business operations, including significant experience in budgeting, fund accounting, forecasting, and financial analysis. Proven ability to lead and oversee complex, multi-stakeholder projects and to provide high-level advice to senior academic and administrative leaders.

Extensive experience supervising and mentoring managers and professional staff in a unionized environment, including team building, training, and performance management. Demonstrated understanding of human resource policies, collective agreements, and sound managerial practices.

Strong knowledge of university administrative systems (e.g., FIS, HRIS) and experience in data collection, analysis, and dissemination—both quantitative and qualitative—to support evidence-based decision-making. Demonstrated ability to conduct detailed analysis and research to inform recommendations to senior leadership.

Comprehensive understanding of university governance, policies, and procedures, with the ability to navigate and influence within a large, decentralized academic institution. Proven capacity to manage and reconcile competing interests in policy development and coordination, and to foster collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.

Demonstrated business development and management experience, coupled with a deep understanding of institutional mission, divisional priorities, and their intersection with the broader community. Commitment to principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and to advancing the University’s academic and strategic goals through sound financial stewardship and organizational leadership.

Skills
Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial and operational data to support strategic decision-making. Demonstrated business acumen and negotiation skills, with a proven capacity to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.

Superior written and verbal communication abilities, including the capacity to prepare high-quality reports, presentations, and strategic documents for senior leadership. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively and diplomatically with senior University Officers, academic leaders, and administrative colleagues to foster cooperation, build consensus, and achieve shared objectives.

Proven leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills, with demonstrated success in empowering and developing staff within a collaborative and unionized environment. Ability to lead through influence, motivate teams, and build a culture of trust, accountability, and inclusion.

Advanced proficiency with information technologies and administrative systems, including Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), and familiarity with University systems such as FIS and HRIS. Demonstrated comfort and effectiveness in using data-driven tools and digital platforms to enhance operational and strategic effectiveness.

A strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA), and the ability to integrate these principles into leadership practices, decision-making, and team development.

Other
Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative and the ability to respond rapidly to change; ability to respect matters of a sensitive nature and exercise discretion, and tact; good judgment and the ability to work under pressure; superior organizational skills in planning, project management and task coordination; flexibility and problem solver orientation.

Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy. Capacity to think creatively and exercise appropriate flexibility in the application of policy and norms. Ability to work under pressure without instruction/direction. Superior demonstrated ability to manage complex and long-term projects and see them to successful, timely completion. Ability to identify emerging issues of high importance and ensure they are addressed. Sensitivity to how apparently unconnected activities and programs may have unintended repercussions. Proven ability to synthesize and interpret accurately large bodies of complex and nuanced material accurately. Confidence to speak on behalf of the office and provide advice and direction.

Closing Date: 02/26/2026,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Personnel Subarea:PM
Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 5 -- Hiring Zone: $120,499 - $140,583 -- Broadband Salary Range: $120,499 - $200,831
Job Category: Finance/Budget/Planning/Audit