Vice President, Administration and Finance

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People and that we are governed by the Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1725. The Mi’kmaq People have cared for the land for thousands of years and continue to do so. With this acknowledgment, we remember the history, and honour the presence and resilience of Indigenous people here today.

Located in beautiful Charlottetown, the University of Prince Edward Island enjoys a prominent position as the Province’s only university and as a centre for intellectual, social, cultural, and economic activity. Established in 1969, UPEI’s ten Faculties and two Schools, which includes the Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies, offer a wide range of programs and degrees to more than 5,465 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students from around the world. UPEI employs approximately 1000 staff and faculty members along with 500 casual and student employees. The University has recently established a Faculty of Medicine to house a regional campus of Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine which will accept its first students in the fall of 2025. With this Faculty’s establishment, UPEI joins a small and exclusive cohort of only four other universities in Canada who offer both a veterinary school and medical school. With an operating budget of over $183m, UPEI is home to six Canada Research Chairs and nine 3M National Teaching Fellows. UPEI is one of Atlantic Canada’s finest universities, and a significant economic and cultural contributor to the region. With an ever-increasing number of graduate students and enrolment diversity, UPEI is a dynamic, growing University. The UPEI community is energized by this growth – both in people and programs – and is excited about the future.

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) seeks a Vice-President, Administration and Finance (VPAF).

Reporting to the President, and as part of the Senior Executive Team of four Vice-Presidents, the VPAF provides strategic leadership of the University’s financial and operational activities, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and fostering strong relationships with internal and external communities. This role includes oversight of transparent financial processes to ensure effective financial management during an exciting time of growth. The Vice-President leads campus planning and capital project development, ensuring the optimal maintenance and development of land, facilities, and infrastructure in alignment with the academic and research enterprise. Leading 9 direct reports, the VPAF has oversight of dynamic teams across various departments, including Finance, Ancillary Services, Athletics and Recreation, Facilities Management and Security, Health and Safety, Bio-Safety, Emergency Management, and Access to Information/Privacy. The Vice-President collaborates and engages with the University community to enhance UPEI’s financial and operational capabilities, ensuring fiscal soundness and high efficiency in alignment with its academic and institutional goals.

The ideal candidate will possess a CPA and several years of progressive leadership experience in finance. They will have a significant track record of success ideally within the post-secondary sector or in a sector or organization of comparable complexity. The new VPAF will have an innovative approach, demonstrated experience in leading and supporting growth while managing financial constraints and will have some exposure to a number of the functions to be found within the portfolio. Outstanding communication skills are essential for the Vice-President, Administration and Finance (VPAF), who must build strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders across the campus, including deans and other academic leaders. The VPAF will demonstrate strategic, innovative leadership, guiding the University’s financial and operational activities with a deep commitment to service and inclusivity. This role requires the ability to lead diverse teams effectively, fostering an environment of collaboration and mutual respect. The VPAF will bring a strong strategic mindset and a passion for advancing UPEI’s goals and supporting its campus leaders, staff, faculty, and students.
Consideration of applications will begin in October 2024 with the new VPAF to take office in April 2025. For more information, to apply, or to submit a nomination, please contact Andrea Patrick or Nick Ketley at upeivpaf@odgersberndtson.com or through this website https://careers.odgersberndtson.com/en-ca/job/29869/. The base salary range for this position is from $221,906 to 238,969.

UPEI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation and believes in providing a positive learning and working environment where every person feels empowered to contribute. UPEI is committed to the principle of equity in employment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. If you require accommodation in any part of the process, please direct your inquiries, in confidence, to UPEI’s HR Officer at hrofficer@upei.ca. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your cover/motivation letter where (globalvacancies.org) you saw this job posting.