About this opportunity
We’re seeking an accounting professional to join our Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) Finance department as the Project Financial Analyst. Reporting to the Director of Finance, this position will play a key role in overseeing the financial health of the current major TFRI projects: The Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network (MOHCCN) and The Digital Health and Discovery Platform (DHDP). The successful candidate will act as a business partner to project leads, providing up to date data and project insights to support strategic decision making. The ideal candidate is someone who has exceptional attention to financial and reporting details, strong communication and relationship-building skills, and relishes taking on complex challenges.
About the Terry Fox Research Institute and Associated Programs
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. Over the past 20 years, TFRI has grown to become a leader in the Canadian cancer research landscape and expanded its portfolio to include two national game-changing projects: The Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network (MOHCCN) and The Digital Health and Discovery Platform (DHDP).
Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network (MOHCCN) is a bold initiative focused on bringing together top researchers working at cancer hospitals and research centres across Canada to accelerate the implementation of precision oncology medicine. Due to the success in Phase 1 of the project, MOHCCN has recently been renewed for Phase 2 and will look at broadening our reach to Canadians in rural and indigenous communities. Meanwhile, The Digital Health and Discovery Platform (DHDP) is a federated data-sharing and AI software product development project for advancing disease research where critical health data is resident at multiple institutions across Canada. This project sits at the intersection of healthcare and artificial intelligence and is among the first of its kind globally.
Supporting both of these initiatives means you will be working at the forefront of cancer research and innovation in Canada.
Key responsibilities
Grant & Project Financial Management
- Support the financial lifecycle of grants from issuance to close-out for both the MOHCCN and DHDP and other projects, collaborating with external grant recipients as necessary.
- Create standardized templates and tools for grant tracking and reporting.
- Collect, track, and interpret financial reports received from grant recipients
- Maintain strong relationships with all grant recipients to ensure timely and complete submission of required reporting
- Ensure expenditures align with grant budgets, restrictions, eligibility rules, and timelines.
- Ensure documentation received from grant recipients meets external auditor and funder requirements (e.g., receipts, timesheets, allocations).
- Working with internal programs teams, maintain a centralized repository of grant agreements and financial documentation.
- Collaborate with programs teams to develop budgets and payment schedules for funded projects.
- Perform regular financial reconciliations for project and grant accounts.
- Identify risks of overspending or underspending and recommend corrective actions.
- Conduct grant close-out processes, ensuring all financial obligations and reporting requirements are met.
Financial Reporting & Forecasting
- Develop and maintain internal and external tracking models, reports, reporting schedules, and submission calendars to meet a variety of program, leadership and funder requirements.
- Prepare timely and accurate financial expenditure and forecast reports for funders, including detailed cost breakdowns.
- Analyze and prepare allocations of shared costs across projects in accordance with sponsor funding agreements.
- Translate financial data into clear insights to support program decision-making.
- Assist with annual financial audit and matched funds audit.
- Develop dashboards and reports to track grant utilization and cash flow.
- Act as the primary point of contact for research grant recipient institutions and companies across Canada for their grant reporting and forecasting.
Process Improvement and Collaboration
- Identify opportunities to improve financial tracking systems and reporting processes.
- Support implementation and optimization of grant tracking software (currently in development).
- Provide training workshops and guidance to non-finance staff and grant recipient institutions and partners on grant compliance issues and budget management.
- Other related duties as requested.
Our successful candidate
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience in financial analysis, accounting, financial grant management, or equivalent position.
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or equivalent is required.
- Professional accounting designation (CPA for example) is an asset.
- Proactive self-starter with a focus on continuous improvement and a very strong attention to detail.
- Demonstrated experience working in a non-profit environment and/or with granting and reimbursement/disbursement models is required.
- Demonstrated experience managing the financial lifecycle of grants or funded projects, from budget development and cyclical reporting to closeout is a highly desired asset.
- Previous experience analyzing and implementing process improvements, including but not limited to improving internal controls and documentation standards, is an asset.
- Superior proficiency in Excel, data analysis and management tools.
- Strong interpersonal, relationship management and collaboration skills with both internal team members and with external researchers, administrators and project managers.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing and tracking multiple concurrent priorities and delivering on established deadlines.
- Fluency in both Canada’s official languages would be an asset.
Benefits of working with us
- Flexible schedule
- Paid vacation
- Paid sick days
- Hybrid and remote work options available
- Extended medical and dental coverage
- Employee and employer pension contributions
- A work culture that values excellence, creativity, teamwork, learning, fairness, and integrity
- A passionate group of high-performing teammates across Canada who all want to reduce suffering from cancer
Salary: $70,000 - $85,000
How to Apply: If you are passionate about making a difference in cancer research and are ready to take on this challenging and important position, we invite you to submit your application. This position is open to candidates residing and authorized to work in Canada. Preference is given to those residing in Vancouver or BC.
Please include a cover letter, resume, and any relevant supporting documents. Applications can be submitted through Indeed or emailed to hr@tfri.ca.
Application Deadline: job requisition will be open until filled.
As an equal opportunity employer, we recognize the importance of diversity and equity in our workforce and encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including but not limited to Indigenous persons, women, persons with disabilities, minorities, and other underrepresented communities. Should an accommodation be required at any time, please let us know.
We appreciate all applications, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.