Vice-President, Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer

Acadia University is in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which the Mi’kmaq, Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet), and Passamaquoddy Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1726. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations. Acknowledging the land that we are on means that we are working towards decolonization.

Founded in 1838, Acadia University is one of the oldest and most respected universities in Canada known for providing a quality, high-engagement, primarily undergraduate student experience. Acadia is just a one-hour drive from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is an integral part of the quintessential college town of Wolfville, overlooking the Annapolis Valley and the Bay of Fundy. With a total enrollment of almost 4,000, Acadia attracts students from every province and territory and more than 60 countries to take advantage of strong academic programs, a curriculum that encourages personal development, and collaborative learning experiences led by award-winning professors. As a member of the Maple League of Universities, Acadia is committed to the delivery of excellent, 21^st-century liberal education that distinguishes its students as leaders making a positive difference in communities across the world.

It is within this dynamic context that Acadia University invites applications and nominations for the appointment of its next Vice-President, Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer.

Reporting to the incoming 17th President & Vice-Chancellor of Acadia, Dr. Jeff Hennessey, the Vice-President, Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer (“VP & CFO”) leads a broad pan-University portfolio including financial services, facilities management, risk management, human resources and the Equity Office, information technology and services, safety and security, Events Acadia, ancillary services, and athletics and recreation. As a member of the President’s senior executive team, the VP & CFO provides strategic counsel to the President on all financial and administrative matters. The VP & CFO works closely with the Acadia University Board of Governors, including the Investment Committee; the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee; and the Human Resources Committee, as they steward the University’s operating and capital budgets. Externally, the VP & CFO develops and maintains relationships with governments, corporate partners, and community leaders to advance both the University’s short- and long-term goals as well as student and academic excellence. Leading a dedicated team of professionals, the VP & CFO must communicate with purpose and clarity, ensuring that there are strong bridges between all areas of the University, and with faculty, staff, students, community and funding partners. The VP & CFO inspires confidence and fosters a culture of integrity, openness and transparency across the team and University with all faculty, staff and students.

As the ideal candidate for the Vice-President, Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer role, you are a seasoned executive with a forward-looking, strategic perspective. You are a data-informed decision-maker with extensive experience overseeing a broad range of administrative and financial functions, ideally including budgeting, strategic and financial planning, economic forecasting and resource allocation, capital development, facilities management, residence planning, human resources, information technology and risk planning. You have experience working in complex and unionized organizations, ideally in the public or academic sector. You are committed to the highest standards of ethics, transparency, and honesty, and you are prepared to make principled, and sometimes, difficult decisions. As a leader, you build teams based on trust and mutual respect, and a culture committed to social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism. The successful candidate must appreciate and understand the multi-faceted and dynamic environment of university funding and will need to make budgetary decisions in a timely, transparent manner.  Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, coupled with significant relevant senior leadership experience. A professional accounting designation is considered an asset.

To apply or explore this exceptional leadership opportunity with Acadia University, please submit a curriculum vitae along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Caroline McLean (caroline@griffithgroup.ca).

Acadia University is strongly committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, Indigenous peoples, African Canadians/people of African descent and other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

As part of your application, you will be invited to complete a brief Employment Equity Voluntary Self-Identification Form. This form is voluntary.

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact jane@griffithgroup.ca.

Please be advised that only those invited for an interview will be contacted. The University reserves the right not to fill this position.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.