Vice-President, Finance and Administration

About the University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa is a unique educational and research institution with a distinct identity, rooted in an outstanding ecosystem.

It is the only bilingual research-intensive university in Canada, the largest English-French university in the world and an institution open to the languages and knowledge of Indigenous peoples and the entire world. These three pillars allow it to provide its students and employees with an environment that is linguistically, culturally and academically open and diverse.

The University of Ottawa – among the top five research universities in Canada, is a centre of power, leadership and transformation in the heart of the national capital of a G7 country, in a bilingual city at the intersection of scholarship, commerce and public policy. It is just steps away from Canada’s major democratic institutions. It benefits from a global network of embassies, internationally renowned hospitals and national research agencies, a major arts sector and a flourishing business community. The University also boasts a continually expanding campus at Kanata North, the country’s largest technology park.

This crossroads of science, commerce and politics drives its some 50,000 students and over 6,000 professors and support staff to always aim higher, to spur innovation and transform society. Together, its researchers attract more than $500 million in research revenue annually.

Purpose

The Vice-President, Finance and Administration oversees the management of uOttawa’s human, financial, computing and physical resources, as well as facilities planning.

Reporting directly to the President and Vice-Chancellor, and working closely with the other Vice-Presidents, Deans, and the Board of Governors, the Vice-President, Finance and Administration is a critical member of the University’s executive management team. This individual participates in Board of Governors’ meetings and a number of its committees. The Vice-President, Finance and Administration sets strategic goals and priorities in line with the university’s long-term Strategic Plan, and the overall vision and mission of the University.

Key responsibilities

The incumbent ensures exemplary financial governance and rigorous accountability by strengthening internal controls, consolidating budget monitoring processes, and mitigating financial risks to support informed decision-making. They also foster a culture of continuous improvement through the modernization and optimization of administrative and financial tools, systems, and processes to enhance reliability, operational efficiency, and organizational transparency.

In addition, with a focus on sustainability and growth, the Vice-President, Finance and Administration contributes to the development and diversification of revenue sources and to the strategic stewardship of institutional assets. They also ensure the planning, modernization, and long-term sustainability of the University’s physical and digital infrastructure, including addressing challenges related to deferred maintenance and the delivery of major renovation, construction, and technological transformation projects. The Vice-President exercises mobilizing leadership in times of transformation, fosters a collaborative and inclusive culture, and supports innovation, partnerships, and the University’s visibility and impact at the local, national, and international levels.

Ideal candidate profile

As the ideal candidate, you are a collaborative, strategic, and fully bilingual leader in both official languages, recognized for your integrity, sound judgment, and ability to mobilize teams in complex environments. You bring a minimum of ten (10) years of progressive executive experience, including responsibility for operations, human resources, and financial management, ideally within a postsecondary education setting.

Your success in this role is grounded in recognized leadership strengths and a proven track record of leading large-scale initiatives, as well as mobilizing and inspiring diverse teams. You are adept at developing and implementing innovative strategic plans while fostering a culture rooted in best practices and the achievement of sustainable results.

You demonstrate a strong ability to set strategic priorities, define and monitor performance indicators, and deliver results aligned with institutional objectives. As an influential leader, you exhibit strong political acuity and sound judgment in navigating complex situations. In addition, you excel in communication and interpersonal relationships, and are skilled at engaging a wide range of stakeholders with tact and diplomacy.

A committed, inclusive workplace

The University of Ottawa is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As an institution, it is passionate about its people and dedicated to employment equity. It fosters a culture of respect, collaboration and inclusion, where teamwork, innovation and creativity fuel its quest for excellence in both teaching and research.

The University of Ottawa and Boyden aim to provide a barrier-free recruitment process and will do their utmost to meet candidates’ individual needs. Accommodations are therefore available on request. Any request for accommodations will not affect a person’s candidacy. If you are selected to participate in the recruitment process, please inform Marie-Hélène Gaudreault at mgaudreault@boyden.com about any accommodations you may need to ensure you can participate equitably.

To apply

Interested persons should forward their CV and all other relevant documents to mgaudreault@boyden.com by May 8, 2026, taking care to indicate the position title in the subject line of their message.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Our recruiters review all applications and always make the final hiring decision. We may use AI-assisted tools to help review applications.