Capital Planning Specialist

Primary Purpose: This position provides capital planning guidance and expertise for a range of projects at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) providing financial and reporting expertise including analysis, development of reports, and recommendations as required ensuring that a variety of projects are efficiently and consistently reviewed, monitored and reported.

Nature of Work: Reporting to the Manager, Capital and Business Planning, the position works closely with Planning, Development and Construction and other VP Administration staff. The type of projects will vary given the immediate needs of the organization.

The Manager provides guidance to and oversees the work of the Capital Planning Specialist and may provide direction on an ad-hoc basis.  The work is high volume and complex, and decisions ranging from the routine to the critical are required on a regular basis.  Professional judgment is required to review their own and others’ work and to carry out diverse projects.

The position routinely addresses complexities and requirements impeding the delivery of projects.  Must meet deadlines imposed by internal requirements and on occasion, by regulatory agencies.   The position requires well-developed organizational skills.

Financial management, analysis or recommendations could have significant implications on the resources available to projects and available to meet USask priorities.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• Plan and carry out a variety of initiatives as approved by the Manager, Capital and Business Planning. Coordinate financial overview of capital and operating capital project budgets, funding reviews and administrative support for projects.  Operate as lead on the financial review of the project estimates during the preliminary stages of the projects within the Capital Investment Framework ensuring appropriate links to business cases, operating budget and Board of Governors’ submissions. 
• Provide overview and recommendations on the consistent and accurate development of complete capital budgets for capital projects. Provide financial analysis review, life cycle cost analysis and direction for development of business cases (linking support data, scope and cost estimates) to support the capital and operating budgets associated with capital projects.
• Research and identify potential government funding programs in support of capital projects. Identify alignment between funding programs, USask priorities and potential projects.  Coordinates the development and submission of applications to appropriate funding agencies, particularly government funding programs.
• Oversee the development of Business Case submissions to the provincial government for capital funding requests. Review the development of business cases from project proponents to support capital requests.
• Review and coordinate the development of annual submissions to the provincial government, such as but not limited to the Capital Asset Report, major project quarterly reports and strategic preventative maintenance and renewal progress reporting.
• Ensure all funding sources confirmed and conditions/requirements understood within project. Complete and ensure timely and appropriate reporting to ensure compliance with funding agreements and meet all requirements (conditions, progress reports, funding reports and/or cash flows) for funding program, grants, donor agreements and various government levels and agencies.
• Provide input on continuous improvement process reviews. Develop and review templates to support consistent and standard financial analysis and practices within capital projects.
• Undertake research report requirements associated with capital projects and initiatives, such as economic impact studies.
• Review reports for submission to the Land and Facilities Committee of the USask Board of Governors for projects as well as portfolio level reports.
•  Provide support to committee work as assigned.

Education: A post-secondary degree with a professional accounting designation.   An equivalent combination of education and related experience will be considered for this position.

Experience: Seven to ten years of relevant experience, preferably in a university setting. Exposure capital projects with respect to government funding agencies considered an asset.

Skills:

• Ability to analyze and clearly present financial information;
• Proven ability to carry out operational reviews and to develop innovative and effective business practices;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to balance various responsibilities, tasks, and projects simultaneously, prioritizing, focusing and adjusting energy and resources to ensure they are completed;
• Ability to work independently and sound knowledge of business information technology tools and of USask accounting principles and practices.
• Performance competencies in leadership, relationship building, embracing change, teamwork, personal effectiveness, negotiation, influence and persuasion, innovation and problem solving.