Job Description:
ABOUT NORTHWESTERN POLYTECHNIC
Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) is a public post-secondary institution serving northwestern Alberta with a mandate to deliver applied, career focused education aligned with regional and labour market needs. Previously known as Grande Prairie Regional College GPRC, the institution was established in 1966 and has since evolved into the largest post-secondary provider in the region. Located in the heart of one of Canada’s most enterprising regions, NWP is actively aligning its programs to support the industries and communities it serves.
NWP offers a broad range of credentials including certificates, diplomas, apprenticeship training, and four-year bachelor’s degrees, and has recently expanded health programming and introduced new academic offerings, including its first degree programs. The institution’s three strategic priorities are enrolment growth, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and advancing its polytechnic mandate. Guided by a mission to spark and empower success and a vision to transform post-secondary education in northern Alberta through polytechnic education, research, and partnerships, NWP is committed to innovation, responsiveness, and strong connections with students, industry partners, and communities across its service area.
Under its current strategic framework, the institution is focused on growth, strategic enrolment management, program alignment with workforce demand, enhanced student experience, operational effectiveness, and long-term financial sustainability. This direction includes a transition to a single campus model in Grande Prairie beginning in Fall 2026, ensuring resources are concentrated where they deliver the greatest impact while continuing to expand applied research, deepen partnerships, and prepare graduates for meaningful careers that contribute to the economic and social vitality of northern Alberta. Highly qualified faculty, affordable tuition, and strong scholarship and awards programs attract students from across Alberta, Canada, and internationally, while applied research and community partnerships further strengthen NWP’s role in supporting the region’s cultural, recreational, and economic development. Learn more at www.nwpolytech.ca
The Vice President, Finance & Administration serves as Northwestern Polytechnic’s Chief Financial Officer and is a key member of the Executive Council, reporting directly to the President. This role provides strategic leadership and stewardship of the institution’s financial, administrative, and operational resources, ensuring fiscal integrity while enabling the Polytechnic to deliver on its mandate and long-term strategic priorities. As a trusted advisor to the President, Executive Council, and Board of Governors, the Vice President plays a central role in aligning financial planning, risk management, and infrastructure development with institutional objectives.
Leading a broad and complex portfolio that includes Financial Services, Information Technology, Facilities, Maintenance and Operations, and ancillary services, the Vice President is accountable for enterprise-wide budgeting, financial reporting, capital planning, asset management, and regulatory compliance. The role oversees operational and capital budgets, financial controls, audit processes, enterprise risk management, insurance, and legislative compliance, while ensuring sound stewardship of public resources and long-term financial sustainability. In addition, the Vice President provides leadership for campus infrastructure, information systems, and major capital projects, guiding long-range facilities planning, asset lifecycle management, and technology strategy to support the Polytechnic’s evolving academic and operational needs.
As a senior leader, the Vice President, Finance & Administration fosters strong working relationships across the organization and with external stakeholders including government, auditors, industry partners, and regulatory bodies. The role is responsible for building and sustaining high-performing teams, mentoring senior leaders, and creating a culture of accountability, service excellence, and continuous improvement. With a strong focus on data-informed decision-making, risk mitigation, and operational effectiveness, this position is critical to ensuring that Northwestern Polytechnic operates with integrity, resilience, and strategic agility in a dynamic post-secondary environment.
KEY LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABILITIES
Leadership
- Working collaboratively with the Executive and Senior Leadership Team, this position is responsible for providing information that supports decision-making that influences the entire organization through:
- Being able to provide meaningful and accurate data and metrics;
- Being accountable for the development, implementation, maintenance and enhancements of administrative polices for the Polytechnic, within their area of responsibility;
- Providing management information and monitoring reports on progress towards the strategic goals;
- Overseeing risk identification, monitoring risks, and developing mitigation strategies for the Polytechnic; and
- Providing leadership for proper stewardship of fiscal and capital resources through sound financial controls
- Promoting and maintaining partnerships with other Post-Secondary Institutions (PSls), Advanced Education ministry, Office of the Auditor General, and other government agencies to improve delivery of services; and
- Responsible for ensuring integration of financial plan with strategic priorities by way of departmental/divisional strategic plans and alignment of capital and operational plans with strategic plans;
Risk Management
- Responsible for the overall development and implementation of systems and processes to strengthen the organization's ability to anticipate, assess and manage risk, including:
- Overseeing risk identification, monitoring risks, and developing mitigation strategies for the Polytechnic;
- Overseeing compliance with legislation and government mandates;
- Overseeing the development and implementation of an Enterprise Risk Management Program including mitigation strategies;
- Overseeing the administration of a comprehensive general insurance program with appropriate coverage and limits to mitigate risks; and
- Ensuring that the Polytechnic has developed and maintains a legislative compliance matrix including mitigating any non-compliance.
Asset Management
- Trusted Business Advisor to the Executive Council and resource, as requested by the President, to the Board of Governors. This position will provide expert guidance to the organization in Strategic Infrastructure:
- Providing direction and guidance for the maintenance of Polytechnic facilities, the Campus Master Plan, and the provision of support services;
- Provides due diligence to ensure prudent stewardship of Polytechnic assets in order to achieve strategic priorities of the organization while mitigating and managing risk; (Explanation not necessary to be included in position description i.e.: protects the Polytechnic interest in development of land trust/any transaction involving sale of/monetization of assets);
- Responsible for ensuring integration of financial plan with strategic priorities by way of departmental/divisional strategic plans and alignment of capital and operational plans with strategic plans;
- Ensures integration of infrastructure lifecycle and facilities condition index (Facilities Renewal plans) into the long-term facilities renewal plan as part of the long-term capital plan;
- Leads the development and planning of the Polytechnic’s existing land holdings;
- Leading/participating in the development of the Polytechnic's existing land holdings; ensuring that the Polytechnic is providing accurate and consistent information into the government building land inventory system to mitigate capital risks;
- Ensures integration of capital equipment evergreen cycle into the long-term capital plan;
- Leads the development and implementation of the long-term Capital Plan, ensuring alignment with the Polytechnic’s strategic plan (the CIP);
- Capital Budgeting processes;
- Overseeing the implementation of capital projects; ensures integration of capital projects with the long-term capital plan; and
- Ensures that the Polytechnic is providing accurate and consistent information into the government building land inventory system to mitigate capital risks.
Information Technology Management
Oversee IT strategic and operational planning to achieve the Polytechnic's goals by fostering innovation, setting priorities for IT initiatives, and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future IT systems and services across the organization.
- Provide guidance for the operation of the Information Technology Department, including:
- the implementation of an information management framework;
- A user-centered culture and a demonstrated service commitment by IT staff and services;
- the evaluation of enterprise systems security and backup procedures;
- the provision of technical support services;
- the provision of improvements to Management Information Systems; and
- IT security policies and processes.
Corporate and Ancillary Services Management
- Oversee a number of services to students, staff and guests while generating income in support of the Polytechnic’s operating budget including:
- Corporate and ancillary operations including the Polytechnic Bookstore, Food Services and Vending Services;
- Ancillary operations which are conducted in a professional manner that enhances the reputation of the Polytechnic;
- Maintaining where possible and appropriate, price controls in the Bookstore, Vending Services and Food Services;
- Conducting annual financial analysis to monitor operations and to set targets for future years; and
- Overseeing the maintenance of best practices in purchasing and asset protection.
Job Requirements:
- Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, or a related discipline. An equivalent combination of education and senior leadership experience may be considered.
- Professional accounting designation CPA is strongly preferred.
- Minimum of ten years of progressive senior leadership experience in finance, administration or operations within a complex organization; ideally in the public sector, post-secondary education, or a highly regulated environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading large operating and capital budgets, long range financial planning, and audited financial reporting in accordance with public sector accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
- Demonstrated experience leading large scale process improvement, systems implementation, and organizational transformation initiatives, including financial systems, operational processes, and enterprise platforms.
- Strong working knowledge of ERP systems, with experience in Agresso Unit4 or Workday considered an asset, along with comfort using reporting platforms and performance dashboards to support executive decision making.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word, and experience working with enterprise reporting systems and data analytics.
- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary portfolios including finance, information technology, facilities, and administrative services, with accountability for service quality, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
- Demonstrated leadership in enterprise risk management, internal controls, policy development, and regulatory compliance, with experience working with auditors, government ministries, and oversight bodies.
- Experience overseeing capital planning, infrastructure development, and asset management, including major projects, long term facilities planning, and stewardship of institutional assets.
- Proven oversight and project leadership experience across complex, multi stakeholder initiatives, with accountability for scope, timelines, budgets, and delivery outcomes.
- Track record of building high performing leadership teams, mentoring senior staff, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Strategic leadership experience supporting organizational transformation, financial sustainability, and resource alignment with institutional priorities, including enrolment growth, and stakeholder engagement.
- Strong relationship management skills, with experience engaging executive colleagues, boards, government, industry, and community partners in support of organizational goals.
To Apply:
Qualified candidates who are interested in exploring this opportunity are invited to submit their applications in confidence.
Applications to this job are being collected on MNP's external posting site.
Please follow either link below.
MNP: Vice President, Finance & Administration | MNP
LinkedIn: Vice President, Administration | MNP Executive Search & Professional Recruitment | LinkedIn
You also have the option to direct your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience to Gena Griffin, Senior Manager, Executive Search and Recruitment at MNP, by email at [email protected].
Please submit your application by April 30 for full consideration.
