Employment Opportunity: Bursar (VP Finance/CFO), Full-Time Permanent Position | Subject to probationary period.

Established in 1789, the University of King's College is Canada's oldest chartered university and is associated with Dalhousie University. We are a small and distinctive academic community located in Halifax (Kjipuktuk), Nova Scotia, and are known nationally and internationally for our interdisciplinary programs in the humanities, including the Foundation Year Program, professional programs in journalism and graduate programs in creative writing. King's is a community in which students, faculty, alumni, and staff work to bring greater understanding, creativity, and compassion to the world.

The University of King's College invites applications for the position of Bursar.

Reporting directly to the President, the Bursar (VP Finance/CFO) serves as the University's most senior financial administrator. The Bursar is a key member of the Senior Administrative Team and provides strategic leadership for the University's financial and administrative operations. The role functions as the equivalent of a Vice-President, Finance & Administration at other universities.

Position Summary

The Bursar serves as the College's Chief Financial Officer, giving strategic advice to the President, Board of Governors, and senior leadership on the financial position and long-term financial sustainability of King's.

The Bursar is responsible for the development of operating and capital budgets, multi-year financial planning, financial forecasting, investment and debt oversight, risk management, audit, procurement, insurance, and financial policy. This role also provides executive leadership to human resources, facilities management, and dotted-line leadership to ancillary services including information technology.

A particular priority over the next several years will be the continued development of shared administrative arrangements with regional and local partners, including preparation for future enterprise systems implementation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Planning

- Serve as the senior strategic advisor to the President and Board on the College's financial position, administrative capacity, and long-term financial health.
- Provide strategic leadership and vision for the College's financial and administrative operations, contribute to overall institutional strategy, and support the academic mission and priorities.
- Develop and implement long-range financial plans and strategies that support institutional sustainability, including forecasting, scenario modeling, and options analysis.




- Identify and advance opportunities to improve administrative efficacy and efficiency, including optimal administrative structures.
- Prepare reports, strategic recommendations, and proposals for the Board of Governors, its committees, the Senior Administrative Team, and the President.

Financial Leadership

- Lead the development, implementation, and oversight of the University's operating and capital budgets.
- Develop and maintain long-term financial planning and forecasting.
- Oversee investments, cash flow management, audit, and external financial reporting.
- Ensure the adequacy of financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Provide accurate and timely financial information to support institutional decision-making.
- Advise on institutional risk, financial priorities, and resource allocation.
- Work with the Controller to prepare and present the budget, forecasts, and financial analyses.

People and Organizational Leadership

- Provide executive oversight of the University's human resources function.
- Provide executive leadership to the institution-wide human resource strategies, policies, and programs.
- Provide executive oversight for compensation and benefits programs for faculty and staff.
- Participate in collective bargaining and labour relations as required.

Facilities and Operational Management

- Provide executive oversight of facilities management and capital planning.
- Work with the facilities leadership on deferred maintenance, renewal priorities, major capital projects, and procurement.
- Support long-term planning for the University's physical assets.

Governance and External Relationships

- Support the Board of Governors and its committees in the discharge of their financial, risk, investment, and administrative responsibilities.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with government officials, financial institutions, auditors, insurers, consultants, and external service providers.
- Serve as the University's primary administrative liaison with Dalhousie University on financial transfer agreements and shared services.
- Represent King's in relevant university and public-sector administrative networks.

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will bring strong financial judgment,



practical administrative leadership, and the ability to operate effectively in a small institution where priorities must be carefully managed. Requirements:

- A university degree in Business Administration, Commerce, or a related discipline.
- Chartered Skilled Accountant (CPA) designation.
- At least seven years progressive financial leadership experience, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, audit, and risk management.
- Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders or Boards on complex financial and organizational matters.
- Experience with delegated leadership across multiple administrative portfolios, establishing clear accountability within teams.
- Demonstrated ability to improve processes, simplify administrative structures, and make effective use of shared services and technology.
- Strong judgment and the ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
- Experience in the university, broader public, or not-for-profit sector would be an asset.
- Experience with major ERP, shared-service, or administrative transformation initiatives would be a significant asset.

Direct Reports

- Controller
- Human Resources Manager
- Director of Facilities Management
- Dotted line: Ancillary Services Manager

The reporting structure and allocation of administrative responsibilities may evolve as the University develops its shared-service and enterprise-system with other partners.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated salary range is $155,000 to $175,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The position includes a comprehensive benefits package and participation in the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan.

Additional Information

Applications will remain open until the position is filled. Candidates are invited to submit a résumé and cover letter to:

Pethrona Russell
Human Resources Manager
University of King's College
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2A1
[email protected]

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The University of King's College is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from Indigenous persons (especially Mi'kmaq), persons with a disability, racialized persons, including persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversification of our community.

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