As Canada’s leading open university, Athabasca University’s (AU) approach to accessible yet transformative education and research is truly distinctive. Its academic mission is to remove barriers to post-secondary education for learners, regardless of their age, location, career, or educational background.

Based in the beautiful region of Athabasca, AU is one of four Comprehensive Academic and Research Universities (CARUs) in the province. AU is a public, board-governed, open, and online university serving more than 37,000 students across Alberta, Canada, and around the world.

With faculties spanning health, science, humanities, and business—AU provides more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs in ways that are uniquely accessible and responsive to today’s demands of like and work.

AU seeks to be an agile and inclusive workplace in which all team members can grow, make their highest contribution, and each make a difference to our academic vision and mission.

Led by President Dr. Alex Clark, AU is embarking on its exciting next chapter with the launch of its new strategic plan. Drawing from five decades of growth in distance and online education, we aim to reinforce our position as Canada’s foremost innovator in open and accessible learning. With the recent formation of an inclusive Senior Leadership Team dedicated to empowering every team member to contribute and thrive, AU stands poised for an exciting and ambitious next stage of development.

Almost 70% of undergraduate program students are the first in their families to get a degree.

Link to AU’s Strategic Plan - Like No Other

To learn more, visit www.athabascau.ca

Scope and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Vice President, Finance and Operations & Chief Financial Officer, the Director,



Financial Operations is a member of the senior finance leadership team that provides advice and guidance to AU on all financial matters. The Director is a key part of the team that leads the cultural and organizational growth focused on a continuous improvement growth mindset that leads to operational excellence.

The Director oversees the Financial Operations department, which includes the general accounting functions responsible for recording all financial transactions for AU, including revenue and expenses, accounts payable, accounts receivable, treasury, investments, procurement, and compliance reporting.

The incumbent is responsible for leadership and management of financial compliance reporting and operational services on behalf of the university in an efficient, innovative, and skilled manner. As a senior leader, the incumbent provides strategic direction, overall leadership, information, training, support, and expert advice to interest holders across the university.

In addition to managing the daily operation of the Financial Operations department, the incumbent is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and monitoring of financial and procurement policies and procedures in alignment with applicable regulations, legislation, public-sector accounting standards, best practices, and industry trends.

As a senior leader,



the Director contributes to the university’s Strategic Plan and is instrumental in the development of financial and procurement strategies that support accountability and efficient, effective, and prudent stewardship of the university’s financial resources. The incumbent also provides critical financial related advice and information to the university community including senior leadership, various committees, employees, and students.

The Director is responsible for driving improvement and innovation of processes and technology, including sponsoring and leading application upgrades and implementation initiatives. The incumbent may serve in the capacity of Acting Vice President, Finance and Operations & Chief Financial Officer as required in the absence of the Vice President, Finance and Operations & Chief Financial Officer.

Specific Responsibilities

This is a critical role in Athabasca’s continued success and growth. The role is accountable for the following:

Departmental Leadership and Management (60%)

- Effectively leads and manages general accounting operations, investment management oversight, financial compliance reporting, and procurement related functions at all levels, and ensures services are provided in a positive, proactive, effective, efficient, and timely manner;
- Develops a team culture of service excellence that emphasizes the value of understanding business drivers and requirements in providing proactive advice to clients;
- Manages the university’s financial systems and information and ensures proper internal controls and processes are in place to safeguard information and university assets;
- Monitors and ensures compliance with all financial reporting

📌 Director, Financial Operations (Athabasca)
🏢 Athabasca University
📍 Athabasca