Our small but committed headquarters staff work tirelessly to ensure that our projects run smoothly and that every dollar that is donated to our research initiatives through the Terry Fox Foundation is going towards funding innovative projects that are changing the way cancer is researched and treated.
The following employment opportunities are open. Researchers, clinicians or trainees are advised to contact partner institutions directly regarding career opportunities within their specific discipline or field of research.
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Full Time, Vancouver
The Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) is a charitable organization funding leading edge research focused on improving cancer research outcomes for the benefit of Canadian patients. We aspire to support the most impactful cancer research to achieve Terry’s dream of a world without cancer by enabling the acceleration of precision medicine to improve personal outcomes for all Canadian cancer patients.
Together with the Government of Canada, the Terry Fox Foundation (terryfox.org), Canadian cancer centres, universities and other philanthropic partners, the TFRI will invest up to $500 million over the next five years to support innovative cancer research initiatives across the country.
TFRI recently embarked on two large pan-Canadian projects:
- creating and leading the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network (the ‘Network’) which brings together the premier genomic centres across Canada around precision medicine initiatives; and
- an aligned project creating the Digital Health and Discovery Platform (DHDP) with industry partners to develop an innovative technical platform to share data and bring precision medicine and personalized care to patients by combining big data with the power of artificial intelligence tools.
To support this rapid growth, TFRI is expanding and is seeking a candidate for the new role of Director of Finance to be responsible for all accounting, reporting and treasury functions. If you are a hands-on professional accountant who values operational excellence, integrity and getting results, and you would enjoy an exciting new growth challenge, we invite you to apply with your resume and cover letter at: hr@tfri.ca.
Role Summary
As a member of the leadership team, the Director of Finance (Director) reports to the Chief Financial Officer who is accountable to the President and Scientific Director, Board of Directors, funders and other stakeholders. The Director will play a critical role in continuing the development and implementation of financial systems, processes and reporting functions including budgeting, cash flow forecasting, expenditure reporting and future commitment tracking. With a small finance department, the Director is responsible for, and will be directly involved in:
- Accounting: performing day-to-day full-cycle accounting and payroll activities.
- Financial Reporting: maintaining timely and accurate financial reporting accountability to all funding partners: The Terry Fox Foundation, federal government funders and other funding partners.
- Financial Excellence: building excellence and efficiency into TFRI’s financial management systems and creating a roadmap of system improvements.
- Stakeholder Support: supporting other financial matters as requested by TFRI, its two major project teams and our various funders.
The Director is responsible for:
Finance
- Perform all full-cycle accounting functions including AR, AP, purchasing, VISA cards and related reconciliations using SAGE Intacct financial software.
- Monitor short, medium and long-term cash flow forecasts and recommend appropriate investment opportunities.
- Process and maintain staff payroll and benefits including journal entries and all remittances.
- Maintain GST rebates and other statutory or corporate filings.
- Prepare periodic written budget variance reports and other ad hoc analyses, financial models or reports as requested.
- Prepare annual financial statements in preparation for external audits and file charity returns.
- Spearhead major financial system projects such as activating additional modules within SAGE Intacct to capture and integrate project expenditure and future grant commitment data or implement financial dashboards for key system users, etc.
Management
- Ensure financial accountability and internal controls are in place to meet the requirements of Canadian Accounting Standards for Not-For-Profit Organizations (ASNPO), external auditors as well as meet external funder guidelines on eligible expenditures.
- Ensure timely and accurate submission of financial reports to the CFO, President, board and project funders to meet deadlines.
- Liaise with external partners, grant recipients, and government agencies on financial matters.
- Provide direction, coaching and mentorship to finance staff by being a role model for TFRI’s value of ethics, professionalism and operational excellence.
- Development of and compliance with key financial policies and procedures
- Ensure insurance and other risk mitigation strategies are in place.
Strategic
- Participate in planning processes with short, medium, and long-term financial cash flow forecasts, budgets and other analyses and scenario planning.
- Maintain positive and strategic relationships with government, the Terry Fox Foundation and other partners to meet funder requirements and reporting schedules.
Key Qualifications
The Director should have:
- An undergraduate degree in business or finance, and a Canadian professional CPA accounting designation.
- At least 5 years’ progressive experience in a senior financial management position.
- Knowledge of Canadian Accounting Standards for Not-for-Profit Organizations and use of the deferral method.
- Power user of Microsoft Excel.
- Ability to develop and manage financial and related information systems.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Proven ability to manage a small accounting department.
Key Personal Attributes
- You want to be a part of a tightly knit team who support and encourage each other.
- You’re naturally organized, and you thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment with a high level of responsibility.
- You’re adaptable and comfortable with a high level of growth and managing change.
- You are a self-motivated and innovative problem-solver who enjoys generating, evaluating, and implementing creative ideas.
- You’re a big picture thinker who can delve comfortably into the details
- You are comfortable working with internal and external stakeholders at all levels and from diverse backgrounds in a positive and respectful manner.
- You place a high personal value on ethics and professionalism.
- You have a passion for technology and automation.
- You’re a maximizer and seek ways to optimize and improve everything you’re involved with.
TFRI offers a competitive salary, health benefits and pension plan.
How to Apply!
If you are up for a new and exciting challenge, are looking for an opportunity to be involved in Terry’s dream, we would love to hear from you. Help us make a difference. Please send your resume and cover letter to us at: hr@tfri.ca.
We thank all applicants for your interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information on TFRI, please visit our website.
We recognize the importance of a diverse workforce and encourage applications from all interested individuals including Indigenous persons, women, members of a visible minority and persons with a disability.
Senior Executive Assistant
Full Time
The Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI), named for Canadian icon Terry Fox, is built on Terry's dream to end cancer through research. Established in 2007, TFRI is a registered charity and invests its funds in cutting-edge cancer research through highly collaborative, team-oriented programs and national research networks. Together with its many research and funding partners, TFRI empowers Canada’s brightest researchers to seek out new transformational and precision medicine discoveries to advance our understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer with the goal of significantly improving outcomes for patients.
About this Opportunity
We are seeking a highly efficient and experienced Senior Executive Assistant (full-time) who will provide senior level administrative support at the Vancouver head office and be responsible for an interesting range of duties including office management, personal executive administrative support, meeting and event planning, human resources and finance support. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Executive Assistant will be a critical link between TFRI, its executives, staff and a large network of academic researchers and senior administrators at the premier cancer research centres across Canada.
As a positive, gregarious, and highly organized individual you are motivated by the challenge of supporting a small but fast-growing national organization and helping to shape the effectiveness of its operations. You take pride in working with other high performers and helping them achieve success. You bring energy, creativity and a sense of humour to your work.
Key responsibilities and accountabilities will include:
- Overall management of front office duties, office space, purchasing supplies, equipment, and technology
- Confidential administrative assistance to the President & Scientific Director, CFO and other members of the TFRI leadership team
- Schedule, organize and host internal meetings, both in-person and virtual using platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams for our Board, committees, councils, evaluation meetings, research meetings and workshops
- Prepare and maintain contact lists, agenda packages and meeting minutes
- Manage travel bookings for staff and meeting attendees as required
- Assist with human resources and finance-related activities including safety processes, contracting and invoicing
- Provide support for research funding programs, projects, communications, and other varied initiatives, as required
Our Successful Candidate
As our successful candidate for this important role, you have a passion to contribute to a vibrant not-for-profit organization where you will demonstrate your commitment to high standards of excellence, attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills in a friendly and team-based environment. You are a positive, self-motivated, self-reliant professional who proactively manages your time while navigating multiple priorities and activities. With your strong, diverse and tactful communication and interpersonal skills, you are a natural problem solver who pleasantly engages, facilitates and empowers those around you to get things done.
In addition, you have the following:
- A strong interest and commitment to the vision of Terry Fox and to the goals of the TFRI
- Post-secondary education in a business administration or related discipline
- Demonstrated experience in a similar senior role
- Excellent ability to prioritize and to proactively manage multiple tasks and deliverables
- Ability to engage effectively and positively with staff and external stakeholders at different organizational levels with understanding, tact and diplomacy
- Superior computer skills including expertise using Zoom, Office 365 applications like Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Teams and Outlook, and other database applications
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills; ability to analyze and process financial data and draft documents and reports
- Other valuable assets could include prior experience in supporting human resources.
You will be joining a small, highly professional, and passionate team that supports employee excellence, leadership, and growth.
Join Us!
Please email your cover letter and resume by December 17th, 2021 with the subject line: Senior Executive Assistant – Application. We sincerely thank all applicants for your interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information on TFRI, please visit our website.
We recognize the importance of a diverse workforce and encourage applications from indigenous persons, women, members of a visible minority and persons with a disability.