Vice President, Administration & Finance
Lakehead University is seeking an accomplished financial executive and people-focused leader to serve as its next Vice President, Administration & Finance.
Lakehead University
Celebrated as one of Canada's leading academic institutions, Lakehead University offers more than 85 academic programs that are grouped within 9 Faculties from a comprehensive selection of academic areas of study. Lakehead is an innovative comprehensive university that provides an education that is about how to think, not what to think. Closely tied to that enterprising spirit is a deep connection to place. Lakehead is committed to making a difference in the communities it serves, developing a broader understanding of societal issues, and inspiring action for thoughtful, positive change. Lakehead University is also committed to the success of our Indigenous learners and to its relationships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples based on the principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity, and collaboration in the spirit of reconciliation. Lakehead University acknowledges the history that many nations hold in the areas around its two campuses.
Dynamic, modern, and learner-centered, Lakehead University’s campuses offer an enriching university experience that blends academic excellence with a variety of social and recreational activities. Lakehead is a nationally ranked research-intensive university and is the proud host to eleven Canada Research Chairs.
Lakehead University has just under 10,000 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff in their nine faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. This fall, Lakehead will also launch the Barrie STEM Hub in Barrie, Ontario. Lakehead University ranked 6th on Maclean’s Canada's Best Primarily Undergraduate Universities for 2026 and tied 1st in Ontario among primarily undergraduate institutions. Lakehead has a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. The university offers a variety of degree and diploma programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Lakehead University’s approach is a personal one which affirms the value of our students and sees and treats them as individuals, not as mere numbers.
The Role
As the University’s Chief Financial Officer, the Administration & Finance Vice-President drives long-term financial sustainability, ensures integrity and transparency, and provides forward-looking insights that shape corporate strategy. The Vice President puts sound financial policies in place to protect the financial integrity of the University, ensure compliance on all financial matters, maximize operational and capital funds, and maintain a balanced budget. Managing and developing separate and distinct profit centers that offer exceptional service to the University community such as residence and food services further contributes to the University’s financial sustainability.
This portfolio encompasses the following administrative units of the University: Financial Services, Human Resources, Technology Services, Physical Plant, Risk Management, Security Services, Residence & Conference Services, Food Services, Athletics, Human Rights & Equity, and Bookstores. Together with the Provost, the VP Administration & Finance builds an infrastructure that supports excellence in administration, teaching, learning, and research by setting physical facilities and information technology priorities.
Leading capital and infrastructure planning and projects, including the development of the multi-year capital plan and maintaining the integrity and security of a physical plant on two distinct campuses (37 buildings across 371 hectares), as well as the new Barrie STEM Hub in Barrie, Ontario, is a core responsibility of this position.
In addition, the Administration & Finance Vice-President oversees human resources policy and organization development initiatives, safeguards the financial stability of two pension plans, and oversees eight collective agreements, two non-union employee groups, and all associated benefit plans. The VP is the executive lead in grievance and arbitration matters and oversees all human rights, harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence concerns.
Experience and Qualifications
Recognizing that no one candidate is likely to meet all of the following qualifications in equal measure, the following experience and qualifications are desirable and will be used in the assessment of candidates for the position:
Please note that this posting is for an existing position at Lakehead University.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Lakehead University is committed to an environment of open access to employment opportunities. KBRS and Lakehead will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs to the Consultant, Beth McLennan.
Lakehead University
Celebrated as one of Canada's leading academic institutions, Lakehead University offers more than 85 academic programs that are grouped within 9 Faculties from a comprehensive selection of academic areas of study. Lakehead is an innovative comprehensive university that provides an education that is about how to think, not what to think. Closely tied to that enterprising spirit is a deep connection to place. Lakehead is committed to making a difference in the communities it serves, developing a broader understanding of societal issues, and inspiring action for thoughtful, positive change. Lakehead University is also committed to the success of our Indigenous learners and to its relationships with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples based on the principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity, and collaboration in the spirit of reconciliation. Lakehead University acknowledges the history that many nations hold in the areas around its two campuses.
Dynamic, modern, and learner-centered, Lakehead University’s campuses offer an enriching university experience that blends academic excellence with a variety of social and recreational activities. Lakehead is a nationally ranked research-intensive university and is the proud host to eleven Canada Research Chairs.
Lakehead University has just under 10,000 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff in their nine faculties at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. This fall, Lakehead will also launch the Barrie STEM Hub in Barrie, Ontario. Lakehead University ranked 6th on Maclean’s Canada's Best Primarily Undergraduate Universities for 2026 and tied 1st in Ontario among primarily undergraduate institutions. Lakehead has a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. The university offers a variety of degree and diploma programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Lakehead University’s approach is a personal one which affirms the value of our students and sees and treats them as individuals, not as mere numbers.
The Role
As the University’s Chief Financial Officer, the Administration & Finance Vice-President drives long-term financial sustainability, ensures integrity and transparency, and provides forward-looking insights that shape corporate strategy. The Vice President puts sound financial policies in place to protect the financial integrity of the University, ensure compliance on all financial matters, maximize operational and capital funds, and maintain a balanced budget. Managing and developing separate and distinct profit centers that offer exceptional service to the University community such as residence and food services further contributes to the University’s financial sustainability.
This portfolio encompasses the following administrative units of the University: Financial Services, Human Resources, Technology Services, Physical Plant, Risk Management, Security Services, Residence & Conference Services, Food Services, Athletics, Human Rights & Equity, and Bookstores. Together with the Provost, the VP Administration & Finance builds an infrastructure that supports excellence in administration, teaching, learning, and research by setting physical facilities and information technology priorities.
Leading capital and infrastructure planning and projects, including the development of the multi-year capital plan and maintaining the integrity and security of a physical plant on two distinct campuses (37 buildings across 371 hectares), as well as the new Barrie STEM Hub in Barrie, Ontario, is a core responsibility of this position.
In addition, the Administration & Finance Vice-President oversees human resources policy and organization development initiatives, safeguards the financial stability of two pension plans, and oversees eight collective agreements, two non-union employee groups, and all associated benefit plans. The VP is the executive lead in grievance and arbitration matters and oversees all human rights, harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence concerns.
Experience and Qualifications
Recognizing that no one candidate is likely to meet all of the following qualifications in equal measure, the following experience and qualifications are desirable and will be used in the assessment of candidates for the position:
- A bachelor’s degree is required and a Certified Professional Accounting designation (CPA) is preferred. The successful candidate must demonstrate deep financial acumen, including the ability to interpret financial statements, explain complex financial information to governing bodies, and oversee institutional financial reporting.
- Experience and a record of accomplishment in a large, complex, multi-site organization, preferably a university or equivalent broader public sector organization.
- Demonstrated leadership skills and success in defining a vision and leading people to achieve exemplary performance and outcomes through the development of appropriate HR systems that contribute to overall team success.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with broad constituent groups across a large organization, with a focus on service provision, user needs, transparency and accountability.
- Extensive experience planning and managing institution-wide budgets in a complex and comparable environment with multiple interested internal and external constituent groups, and external funders and external organizational partners.
- Experience with systems and process modernization initiatives across a large organization, including enterprise systems integration and introductions of new IT related systems.
- The ability to communicate effectively and build partnerships and rapport with constituents at all levels of the organization, as well as external constituents such as banks, government, partners on capital projects, etc.
- Strong demonstrated verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate complex financial and capital information to constituents and partners with varying levels of subject-matter expertise.
Please note that this posting is for an existing position at Lakehead University.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Lakehead University is committed to an environment of open access to employment opportunities. KBRS and Lakehead will provide support in the recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs to the Consultant, Beth McLennan.