Dedicated exclusively to children and their families, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of the largest and most respected paediatric healthcare centres in the world. As innovators in child health, we lead and partner to improve the health of children through the integration of healthcare, leading-edge research and education. Our reputation would not have been built - nor could it be maintained - without the skills, knowledge and experience of the extraordinary people who come to work here every day. SickKids is committed to ongoing learning and development, and features a caring and supportive work environment that combines exceptionally high standards of practice.

When you join SickKids, you become part of our community. We share a commitment and determination to fulfill our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World .

Don't miss out on the opportunity to work alongside the world's best in paediatric healthcare.

The Research Institute is seeking an experienced Senior Controller, Research Financial Planning & Operations (RFPO), to join our dynamic leadership team. The ideal candidate will bring a robust background in financial strategy, analytical acumen, and a passion for supporting and advancing research excellence. This role will play a pivotal part in driving financial analysis and reporting, ensuring fiduciary obligations and compliance, and fostering a culture of transparency, continuous improvements, and exceptional support to our research community.

In this role, you will be the key support to the Director, Research Awards and Financial Services in leading the operational and capital budgeting processes for the Research Institute as well as providing business, strategic and analytical insight and advice for the research community. Your insights will guide executive decision-making, and your leadership will model best practices in financial stewardship within a complex, research-driven environment. This role works closely with cross-functional teams (i.e. liaise with all levels of management throughout the Research Institute and Hospital Operations). In this role you will also provide leadership and guidance to the corporate accounting functions for the Research Institute by ensuring operational efficiency, internal controls and policies. This role is a People leader position for the RFPO team in planning, coaching, developing and evaluating, to help develop a strong, high performing team dynamic.

Here's What You'll Get To Do

• Budgeting and Forecasting: Lead the annual operating and capital budgeting process and provide multi-year forecasts. Monitor and analyze budget variances, recommending corrective actions as needed. This includes the detailed review of core facility/infrastructure plans.

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Working with the Director, RAFS, develop and implement financial strategies in alignment with the institute's mission and long-term vision. Advise senior leadership on financial planning, risk management, and growth opportunities.

• Financial Reporting: Oversee the preparation and presentation of accurate, timely financial statements, management reports, and grant-related documentation for internal and external stakeholders.

• Compliance and Internal Controls: Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, accounting standards, and internal controls. Oversee audits and implement recommendations as appropriate.

• Financial Systems and Processes: Assess, enhance, and implement financial systems, policies, and procedures to improve efficiency, accuracy, and service to the Research Institute.

• Team Leadership and Development: Manage, mentor, and support the finance team of 8. Foster professional development and a collaborative culture focused on excellence and continuous improvements. This includes the recruitment, performance management, and development of staff to ensure resources and skill levels are in place to meet department needs.

• Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks. Develop and implement contingency plans to safeguard the institute's financial stability.

• Strategic Initiatives: Contribute financial expertise to strategic projects, business development, and special initiatives that advance the institute's research mission.

• Limited Partnership Accounting: Responsible for the financial management of a small Limited Partnership and small numbered companies including:

• Oversee the accounting transactions, the preparation of monthly financial statements and management reports, the income distribution reports to inventors, and the invoicing for collection of royalties

• Accountable for the tax management relating to the above companies including: preparation of the Partnership return, the T5013 Partnership tax slips, the T5 tax slips and NR4 tax slips with respect to royalty income of Canadian and Non Resident inventors, the HST remittances

• Oversee the annual external audit of above

• Ad Hoc Projects: Participate in and/or lead special projects, task groups and selected committees focused on quality, systems and process improvements.

Key Relationships

• Reports to: Director, Research Awards and Financial Services
• Supervises: Manager, Senior and Junior Financial Analysts
• Works closely with: Executive leadership and Research Operations Directors and Managers. To a lesser extent, Principal Investigators, Program/Department Heads, Administrative and Research staff
• Liaises with: External auditors, funding agencies, government bodies, SickKids Foundation, academic partners, and vendors.

Here's What You'll Need

• Completion of professional accounting designation required (CPA)
• Minimum 7-10 years of progressive experience in financial accounting, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or senior role, preferably in research, academic, or non-profit environment.
• Strong understanding of the research operations environment. Knowledge of the grant funding cycle and research contracts is an asset.
• Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting. Grant management experience an asset.
• Exceptional knowledge of accounting principles, regulatory standards, and best practices in research funding administration.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and communicate insights to diverse stakeholders. Skilled in data interpretation, financial modeling, and scenario analysis to inform decision-making.
• Proven leadership and team development abilities, fostering a high-performance, inclusive environment.
• Strong project management, time management, planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. Clear, concise communicator with strong report-writing and presentation abilities; able to translate financial concepts for non-specialists
• Advanced proficiency with financial management systems, spreadsheets, and data analysis tools. Experience with PeopleSoft Financial, Adaptive Insights and Qlikview an asset.
• Embraces new tools and systems to drive efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.
• Experience with developing and implementing BI Solutions
• Intermediate skills in R/Python is an asset.
• Experience with Tableau, QlikSense/QlikView, SAS, Alteryx is an asset.
• Sound business judgment to balance several complex high value projects.
• Ability to see the big picture and anticipate future trends, aligning financial strategy with organizational priorities
• Ability to identify and build strong, collaborative relationships with varied stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Proven interpersonal skills and commitment to collaborative teamwork.
• High tolerance for ambiguity. Comfortable operating in an evolving environment, responding to change with creativity and resilience.
• Excellent analytical skills, business/finance background and understanding of core statistics concepts.
• High standards of integrity, ethics, and professionalism.
• Demonstrates commitment and actions in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion objectives

Here's What You'll Love

• This position is eligible for employee benefits coverage including but not limited to; health, dental and life insurance. The full benefits package will be discussed at the time of offer.
• A focus on employee wellness with our new Staff Health and Well-being Strategy. Self-care helps us support others.
• A hospital that welcomes and focuses on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• The opportunity to make an impact. Regardless of your role or professional interest, you will be making a difference at SickKids and contributing to our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.
• For more on why you'll love working at SickKids, visit our careers site.

Employment Type : Full Time Permanent, 35 hrs/week

Location: Hybrid with initial onboarding and minimum one day per week in person days in the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research & Learning at 686 Bay Street, Toronto.

SickKids is committed to championing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do, fostering an intentionally inclusive and culturally safe environment that reflects the diversity of the patients, families and communities we serve. Learn more about workplace inclusion.

If you require accommodation during the application process, please reach out to our aSKHR team. SickKids can provide access and inclusion supports to eligible candidates to support their full engagement during the interview and selection process as well as to ensure candidates are able to perform their duties once successfully hired. If you are invited for an interview and require accommodation, please let us know at the time of your invitation to interview. Information received related to access, inclusion or accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

Technical difficulties? Email ask.hr@sickkids.ca with a short description of the issues you are experiencing. We will not accept resumes sent to this inbox but we are happy to respond to requests for technical assistance.

Tip: Combine your cover letter and resume into ONE document of 20 pages or less as you cannot upload multiple documents as part of your application.