Manager, Financial Support

Classification & Regular Hours

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade 15: $69,180 - $81,370; commensurate with experience

About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

The mission of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) is to support Faculties and programs in providing high quality, innovative graduate programs, attracting high quality graduate students and postdoctoral trainees, and expanding graduate education and graduate professional development at Western. The professional staff serve as a comprehensive resource on graduate matters, accountable to all graduate programs and students.

Responsibilities

The Manager, Financial Support leads the strategic administration of graduate student funding, ensuring equitable, transparent, and effective allocation of internal and external awards in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS). This role is instrumental in advancing Western’s reputation for graduate excellence by optimizing funding opportunities, enhancing student success, and ensuring compliance with institutional and external funding policies. The Manager is responsible for maximizing funding opportunities for graduate students and administering a complex process for graduate student funding and awards across the entire graduate student population. Reporting to the Director of Administration, this role ensures the development and implementation of effective strategies, policies, and processes for scholarships, fellowships, and donor awards. The Manager oversees the financial support team in SGPS, ensures accurate student records, and collaborates with various stakeholders to enhance the financial stewardship and support mechanisms offered by SGPS.

This role plays a pivotal part in maintaining Western’s competitive standing among Canadian research institutions. By overseeing millions in annual funding and leading a team dedicated to financial support, the Manager ensures that graduate students receive timely, fair, and impactful financial assistance. The role also contributes to donor stewardship, policy development, and system optimization, aligning financial support with institutional priorities and student needs.

Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate degree in Business Management/Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or relevant field
• Graduate degree preferred

Experience:

• 5 years of progressive experience in financial administration and/or with student funding within a post-secondary institution
• Experience managing staff and projects
• Experience managing internal/external scholarship programs at a post-secondary institution is preferred
• Experience working with donor-funded awards, including stewardship and reporting preferred
• Experience in policy development, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration is preferred
• Experience using data and metrics to inform decision-making and improve service delivery preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Familiarity with Tri-Council and provincial funding programs (e.g., Vanier, NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, OGS) would be an asset
• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite and with financial systems and student funding platforms (such as PeopleSoft, student information systems) with the ability to train others in system usage
• Knowledge of financial systems, policy interpretation, and organizational operations in a post-secondary environment
• Knowledge of general office procedures, best practices for assessing, developing and implementing new business processes and procedures
• In-depth knowledge of financial budgeting and principles, Human Resources principles and practices, Employment Standards Act and other relevant legislation
• Knowledge of best practices in building a strong collaborative team and leading people
• Project management skills to champion a project from conception to completion, and to ensure that team roles are clear, milestones are communicated and deadlines are met
• Ability to organize and effectively manage financial and human resources needed to achieve results
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to develop a shared vision to lead and coach employees to excellence
• Results-oriented with the ability to motivate and coach employees to meet high performance standards, while working effectively as a member of the leadership team
• Ability to quickly re-allocate resources and adjust priorities in response to unexpected events or changing circumstances with the ability to understand current processes and systems, contributing factors and the potential for change
• Influential interpersonal skills that build positive and strong relationships at all levels of the organization and with external agencies
• Communication skills with the ability to converse with, write reports for, and deliver presentations to all levels of the organization
• Ability to ensure confidentiality and privacy is maintained through the appropriate retention and destruction of information
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy including solid negotiation, facilitation, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to promote individual growth by encouraging others to learn new skills and develop themselves
• Advanced judgment, analytical and problem-solving skills with a consultative and collaborative approach to addressing issues and opportunities
Familiarity with University policies and procedures preferred

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.