Manager, Research Finance

Location This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at Enterprise Square, Edmonton.

The University of Alberta is a leading research-intensive institution with a diverse and collaborative community and is among the top five Canadian universities in attracting external research funding. For fiscal year 2026, the University estimates total external research funding of approximately $600 million.

The Office of the Vice-President (Research) is seeking a Manager, Research Finance to provide leadership to the Research Administrative Services (RAS) Finance Team and oversee the effective financial administration and reporting of a significant and complex portfolio of externally funded research.

Reporting to the Director, Research Administrative Services, the Manager, Research Finance works with a broad range of stakeholders across the University and plays a key role in ensuring the responsible stewardship, financial integrity and effective administration of research funding. The position leads a team of accounting and finance professionals responsible for ensuring research funds are administered in accordance with University policies, sponsor terms and conditions, and applicable accounting principles.

This is a leadership role within RAS, with responsibility for managing operational priorities, developing effective financial processes and controls, supporting institutional financial reporting, and ensuring the timely, accurate and efficient delivery of research finance services to the University's research community.

• Provides leadership, direction and support to the RAS Finance Team, including recruiting, hiring, developing and managing staff performance.
• Develops work plans and establishes priorities to meet service standards of RAS and the Office of the Vice-President (Research).
• Manages day-to-day workflows, allocating resources and adjusting priorities to respond to fluctuating workloads and competing deadlines.
• Monitors service and performance levels and identifies opportunities to improve the delivery of research finance services.
• Develops and implements processes, procedures and training to support consistent and effective financial administration.
• Works collaboratively with the RAS Management Team to ensure financial reporting and invoicing requirements for research grants and contracts are met.

• Leads the development, implementation and ongoing management of effective financial business practices and systems for the administration of research funding, while minimizing institutional risk. Ensures the application of University financial policies and procedures, effective internal controls and prudent business practices in the administration of research funds.
• Oversees quality assurance processes to maintain the integrity, completeness and accuracy of financial and award information within the University's grants management environment.
• Develops and oversees processes to ensure appropriate application of accounting principles in the recognition of research revenue and the establishment of revenue and billing plans.
• Oversees accounts receivable activities related to research funding, including the timely application of sponsor payments, monitoring of outstanding balances and follow‑up on amounts owing.
• Ensures financial milestones and reporting requirements are met in a timely manner across research awards.
• Works collaboratively with RAS colleagues, faculty and department administrators to resolve complex financial and research administration issues.
• Develops and implements processes for the preparation of financial reports and statements to meet sponsor requirements efficiently and accurately.
• Coordinates and facilitates internal and external audits of research funds.
• Oversees processes to ensure research projects are appropriately completed and closed.

• Provides monthly, quarterly and annual institutional reporting and analysis of research revenues and expenditures for inclusion in the University's financial statements.
• Ensures the accuracy and integrity of research financial information that supports downstream billing, revenue and reporting processes.
• Develops system-generated reconciliations and exception reports to monitor data integrity within the University's ERP environment.
• Liaises with Information Services and Technology (IST) regarding system upgrades and…