Senior Finance Partner, Institutional FP&A - Finance

Senior Finance Partner, Institutional FP&A

Budget Transformation & Optimization within AVP Planning & Performance is currently seeking a Full‑time Regular Senior Finance Partner, Institutional FP&A. Reporting to the Director of Continuous Improvement, the Senior Finance Partner for Institutional FP&A is responsible for providing comprehensive financial planning at the enterprise level.

This position manages the consolidation of financial data and delivers performance insights for the University's $1.8 billion budget, which spans all fund categories—including operating funds, operating projects and both internally and externally restricted funds. The role consolidates institutional budgets and forecasts, ensures accurate integration of financial information across all funds, performs scenario analysis and provides advanced analytical support to inform strategic decision‑making for executive and senior leaders.

The role also drives initiatives to transform budgeting processes, optimise operational workflows, strengthen governance practices and enhance reporting tools.

The role operates within a highly complex, deadline‑sensitive environment where errors can have significant impacts. Advanced judgement, strategic influence and systems thinking are essential. The Senior Finance Partner collaborates extensively with senior leaders and Finance Partners throughout the university, promoting consistency, transparency and alignment in all facets of institutional planning and financial reporting.

The position demands deep expertise in navigating a dynamic academic, business and research setting. It requires strong communication, leadership, facilitation and client service skills. The Senior Finance Partner provides direction and mentorship to other staff members, supporting their professional development and the overall effectiveness of the finance team.

• Oversee the development and maintenance of UCalgary's Budget and Forecast in Oracle's EPM Cloud, guiding technical staff on system enhancements and best practices.
• Manage the consolidation of institutional budgets and forecasts across all funds to ensure accuracy, consistency and transparency.
• Synthesize decentralized inputs into clear narratives aligned with strategy and executive requirements.
• Prepare high‑level variance analysis, reporting on key financial drivers, risks and opportunities.
• Review and validate planning assumptions, highlighting structural issues and emerging risks.
• Conduct scenario and sensitivity analysis for trade‑off evaluation and risk mitigation.

• Lead the development of institution‑wide planning guidance, budget assumptions and instruction packages issued through Finance Partners.
• Support senior Finance leadership by framing complex issues, evaluating alternatives and quantifying financial implications.
• Develop multi‑year outlooks, integrating strategic, operational and financial perspectives to inform long‑term decision‑making.
• Provide strategic decision and analytical support to the Director ensuring emerging issues are flagged early and options are clear, quantified and implementable.

• Support the design and implementation of Budget Transformation and Optimization initiatives, including business requirements definition, future‑state process design, data integrity and reconciliation frameworks, governance alignment and internal control assessment and enhancement.
• Act as a change leader, translating institutional objectives into practical FP&A processes, standards and performance measures.
• Recommend and lead improvements to planning, consolidation and reporting systems, processes and tools, including automation initiatives.

• Develop institutional management reporting for Executive and Senior Leadership, ensuring clarity, insight and decision relevance.
• Design and maintain financial and non‑financial KPI frameworks that support institutional performance monitoring.
• Resolve complex or ambiguous FP&A issues by performing targeted analytics,…