Vice-President(Research & International)

Position number: 38252

Date posted: September 21, 2026

Job details

Research Finance Manager, Major Projects - Level 7 (EMAPS)

Continuing Full-Time

Full-time:

Yes

Permanent:

Yes

Work schedule:

35 Hours/week (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm)

Salary:

$37.86 to $56.79 per hour ($68,904.16 to $103,356.23 per annum)

Expected Start Date

October 5, 2026

Trial/Probation period:

1820 hours worked

For more information please contact: Allison Stephen, Director, Office of the Vice-President (Research and International) - [email protected]

Qualifications

MINIMUM FORMAL EDUCATION/TRAINING:

- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce, or a related field is required.
- Professional accounting designation (CPA) is preferred; candidates actively pursuing a CPA designation may be considered.
- Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration, Finance, Project Management, or a related discipline is considered an asset.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) designation or equivalent project management certification is considered an asset.
- Training or certification in financial risk management, procurement, contract management, or research administration would be an asset.

EXPERIENCE:

- Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, budgeting, accounting, project finance, or financial oversight in a complex organizational environment is required.
- Experience managing large, multi-year budgets and forecasting financial performance for complex initiatives is required.
- Experience supporting major capital, infrastructure, research, or strategic projects involving multiple stakeholders and funding sources is highly desirable.
- Experience interpreting and applying financial policies, funding agreements, contractual obligations, and compliance requirements is required.
- Experience developing financial reports, dashboards, business cases, and executive-level briefing materials is required.
- Experience working in a post-secondary, government, healthcare, research, or other highly regulated environment is preferred.
- Experience collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership, government agencies, funding bodies, industry partners, and international collaborators is preferred.
- Experience supervising, mentoring, or coordinating the work of project team members or financial staff is considered an asset.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

- Exceptional financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and analytical skills with the ability to oversee complex project portfolios and significant operating and capital budgets is required.
- Strong understanding of financial controls, internal audit principles, risk management frameworks, and regulatory compliance requirements is required.
- Demonstrated ability to analyse complex financial information and provide strategic recommendations to support executive decision-making is required.
- Proven project management skills, including the ability to plan, coordinate, monitor, and report on large-scale projects involving multiple institutions, departments, partners, and funding sources, are required.
- Strong knowledge of financial reporting principles, expense eligibility requirements, cost allocation methodologies, and funding-agreement compliance is required.
- Demonstrated experience identifying financial risks, developing mitigation strategies, and implementing corrective actions where required.
- Ability to interpret and administer complex agreements, contracts, memoranda of understanding, and funding arrangements is required.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, competing deadlines, and shifting operational requirements in a fast-paced workplace are required.
- Excellent attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy in financial analysis, reporting, and documentation is required.




- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality when handling sensitive financial and organizational information is required.
- Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with individuals at all organizational levels, are required.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional and interdisciplinary environments while fostering positive working relationships among diverse stakeholder groups is required.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including financial modelling, pivot tables, complex formulas, data analysis, scenario planning, and dashboard development, is required.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint is required.
- Experience using enterprise financial systems, reporting platforms, and project management software is required.
- Familiarity with University of Manitoba administrative, financial, and research administration systems (including FAST, EPIC, and Concur) would be an asset.
- Demonstrated ability to prepare clear, concise, and effective financial reports, presentations, and correspondence for a variety of audiences, including senior executives and external stakeholders is required.
- Solid commitment to continuous improvement, process optimization, and the implementation of best practices in financial and project administration is required.
- Satisfactory work record, including satisfactory attendance and punctuality, is required.

OTHER JOB RELATED QUALIFICATIONS:

- Experience administering or overseeing externally funded research, research infrastructure, capital projects, government grants, or multi-partner funding programs is highly desirable.

Key responsibilities

Financial Planning, Budget Management and Forecasting

- Provides financial leadership and oversight for major institutional projects.
- Develops and maintains comprehensive multi-year project budgets, cash flow projections, expenditure forecasts, and financial plans.
- Establishes financial monitoring frameworks to ensure project expenditures remain aligned with approved budgets and funding agreements.
- Monitors operating, capital, and partner-funded project expenditures and identifies variances, trends, and emerging financial risks.
- Provides financial analysis and recommendations to project leadership to support strategic decision-making.
- Tracks and verifies matching funds, partner contributions, in-kind commitments, and cost-sharing obligations.
- Reviews financial transactions and budget allocations to ensure compliance with institutional, sponsor, and government requirements.
- Works closely with Research Accounting and Financial Services to ensure appropriate financial controls and reporting mechanisms are in place.
- Assists project leadership in evaluating budget implications associated with scope adjustments, staffing changes, procurement requirements, and strategic opportunities.

Financial Reporting, Compliance and Risk Management

- Ensures compliance with funding agreements, institutional policies, and financial accountability requirements.
- Oversees financial reporting obligations associated with major institutional projects and programs.
- Prepares and coordinates complex financial reports for project leadership, university administration, funding agencies, advisory boards, and external partners.
- Develops executive-level financial summaries, dashboards, risk assessments, and briefing materials.
- Interprets funding agreements and contractual obligations to ensure financial compliance.
- Conducts regular reviews of expenditures to verify eligibility and alignment with sponsor requirements.




- Identifies financial, operational, and compliance risks and develops mitigation strategies.
- Supports internal and external financial audits and monitoring exercises.
- Ensures documentation supporting project expenditures, funding transfers, and reporting requirements is complete and auditable.
- Advises project leaders regarding financial implications of project decisions, contractual obligations, and changing funding environments.

Major Project Financial Administration and Partner Coordination

- Coordinates financial processes across multiple institutions, funding partners, and stakeholders.
- Serves as the primary financial liaison between the University of Manitoba, partner institutions, funding bodies, and project leadership.
- Coordinates financial reporting requirements across participating organizations.
- Monitors partner expenditures, contribution commitments, and reporting obligations.
- Supports negotiations and implementation of financial provisions within partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding, and funding agreements.
- Provides financial guidance to project staff, researchers, and institutional partners.
- Works collaboratively with the Office of Research Services, Research Accounting, Procurement Services, Legal Counsel, and other administrative units to facilitate project success.
- Assists in establishing financial processes and administrative procedures during project start-up phases.

Strategic Analysis, Program Development and Continuous Improvement

- Supports the strategic development and sustainability of major projects.
- Contributes financial expertise to funding applications, business cases, strategic initiatives, and new project proposals.
- Assesses financial feasibility and sustainability of future project initiatives.
- Develops tools, templates, and reporting mechanisms to improve project financial management and oversight.
- Identifies opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, reporting accuracy, and financial accountability.
- Monitors emerging trends, policy changes, and best practices related to research funding, project finance, and regulatory compliance.
- Supports succession planning and project transition activities, including project close-out and final financial reporting.

Communication and Stakeholder Support

- Provides financial guidance and support to internal and external stakeholders.
- Develops and delivers financial presentations, summaries, and updates for project leadership and stakeholder groups.
- Participates in project governance committees, working groups, and advisory forums.
- Responds to financial inquiries from project teams, funding agencies, and institutional partners.
- Supports project leadership in preparing materials for oversight committees, advisory boards, and external funders.
- Maintains strong collaborative relationships with project stakeholders while exercising diplomacy, professionalism, and discretion.
- Other duties as assigned.

Additional information

This is an in-person located at the Fort Garry campus.

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] or (phone hidden). Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of "The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act" (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.

📌 Research Finance Manager, Major Projects - Level 7 (EMAPS) (Canada)
🏢 University of Manitoba
📍 Canada