Vice President, Finance and Operations

Competition Number: 2026-2079-TC
Position Title: Vice President, Finance and Operations
Unit: Administration and Operational Support
Location: Sudbury or Thunder Bay
Term: Continuing
Competition Closing Date: March 26, 2026

Reporting to the President, the Vice-President, Finance and Operations (VPFO) is responsible for the on-going development, implementation and oversight of NOSM University’s (the “University’s”) operational framework including, but not limited to, operational policies, processes and resources that ensure financial sustainability and meet the needs of the administration and academic programs, learners, faculty and staff members, internal and external partners and stakeholders (e.g. communities, provincial, federal and local government, and a variety of health/medical organizations).

The VPFO provides high-level strategic leadership, oversight, and performance accountability for finance, human resources, information technology, capital and campus planning, facilities, risk management, policy and regulatory compliance and administrative operations.

As a key member of the Executive Group (EG) and Senior Leadership Group (SLG), the VPFO ensures that institutional systems, policies, resources, and business processes are aligned with long-term strategic goals, accreditation standards, legislative requirements, and principles of public-sector accountability and fiscal responsibility best practices.

The VPFO works collaboratively with senior leaders and supports effective engagement with various committee and groups, including the Board of Governors, to ensure that planning, resource allocation, fiscal management and institutional operations enable mission achievement and long-term organizational effectiveness. The role champions equitable, culturally safe, and community-engaged approaches to administrative and resource stewardship across Northern Ontario.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Tasks include but are not limited to the following:

Strategic Leadership & Executive Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the Executive Group and Senior Leadership Group, contributing to institution-wide decision-making, planning, priority-setting, and performance monitoring.
• Provide executive leadership, strategic counsel, and evidence-informed recommendations to the President & Board of Governors.
• Champion a culture of accountability, equity, inclusion, innovation, continuous improvement, and service excellence across administrative functions.
• Ensure the development and execution of integrated operational plans, multi-year budgeting, capital planning, resource sustainability, and administrative performance frameworks.
• Lead with integrity, sound judgment, and strong public-sector stewardship, aligned with NOSM University’s identity, values, and social accountability mandate.
• Represent the university with external funding partners, government agencies, post-secondary sector colleagues, and public stakeholders, ensuring NOSM University’s operational interests are well-positioned and understood.
• Serve as Chief Operating Officer for the institution.

Portfolio Scope & Oversight

The VPFO provides strategic oversight, direction, and accountability for the following administrative operations and institutional functions:

• Finance, budgeting, capital & financial planning, accounting, internal controls & audit
• Human resources, talent strategy, labour & employee relations, compensation frameworks
• Digital, information, and technology system strategies
• Physical campus planning, facilities, leases, infrastructure & capital development
• Enterprise risk management, business continuity, compliance & internal policies
• Contracts, agreements, legal liaison, procurement and corporate services
• Relevant governance and compliance reporting required by government, funders, and Board
• Policy and regulatory compliance

The VPFO ensures that leadership within the Administration and Operational Support Portfolio (i.e. Directors and AVP’s) are effectively aligned, resourced, accountable, and evaluated.

Institutional Policy & Accountability

• Ensure that financial, operational, corporate, and administrative policies are current, aligned to best practices, internally consistent, and compliant with sector-specific legislation.
• Provide executive support, reporting, and analysis to relevant Board committees, including Finance, Audit & Risk, and others as required.
• Ensure transparent, timely, accurate, and compliant reporting to government ministries, external funders, auditors, and regulatory agencies.
• Monitor and advise on emerging operational, financial, technological, environmental, labour, and regulatory risks.

External Relations & Partnership Leadership

In collaboration with the President, Executive Group and AVP External Relations:

• Represents NOSM University with government agencies regarding operational and fiscal matters.
• Cultivates relationships and negotiates agreements with partner universities, academic health science networks, hospitals, research institutes, and public-sector partners.
• Supports advancement and fundraising activities through financial and operational due diligence.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications 

Education

•  Masters’ degree in Business Administration, Health Administration, Public Administration, including studies in Finance, Administration, Human Resources, Law or combination of education or relevant experience is required
• A professional accounting or finance designation (CPA preferred) or equivalent combination of advanced fiscal leadership experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in executive leadership in post-secondary, public sector, medical/health sector, or complex multi-site organizations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated financial, operational management and administrative leadership of large-scope administrative portfolios and teams (finance, HR, IT, facilities, risk, operational support and policy and regulatory compliance)
• Demonstrated successful experience in financial stewardship, public accountability, reporting, and budgeting
• Experience leading with capital projects, facilities management, and collective bargaining environments preferred.
• Significant knowledge of and experience with fund accounting in a public finance setting.
• Experience working with Boards and senior government partners strongly preferred
• Experience developing and negotiating agreements with diverse partners
• Understanding and knowledge of Indigenous and Francophone cultures in Northern Ontario would be an asset.

Working Conditions

• Fast-paced executive environment with competing timelines and significant confidential matters
• Interaction with employees, students, faculty and external partners
• Working in a busy office environment with frequent interruptions
• Requirement for in person, on site work as well as regular travel between campuses
• As the lead for emergency response and business continuity, must be available outside of regular business hours to manage any such issues

Language

• Must be able to communicate effectively in English (verbally, written and comprehension)
• French/Indigenous language skills would be considered asset

Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume along with verification of academic accomplishments quoting the competition number # 2026-2079-TC no later than March 26, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. to:

NOSM University
Attention:  Human Resources
935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6
Email: tcarswell@nosm.ca
Fax: (705) 671-3880  

NOSM University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities throughout its recruitment processes. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, or require an accessible version this posting, please contact Human Resources via email at hr@nosm.ca.

 NOSM University invites applications from all qualified individuals. NOSM University is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOSM University does not use AI in our hiring process.

NOSM University needs to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens.  Applications need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship; however, all applications must include one of the following statements:

“Yes, I am a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.”

“Yes, I am not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada but I am legally eligible to work in Canada.”

“No, I am not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada or otherwise legally eligible to work in Canada.”

While all responses are appreciated and will be handled with the strictest confidence, only those being considered for interviews will be acknowledged.