Location: Waterloo, ON
Work Arrangement: In Office
Hours Per Week: 37.5
Employment Term: Full Time
Position Start Date: August 1, 2026
Position Reports To: Senior Director, Finance and Operations
Existing Role with one (1) vacancy
The starting salary range for this position is $124,200 to $131,100, with opportunities for advancement and growth within the full base salary range as you progress in your role. Salary will increase over time based on performance, experience, and contributions to the organization. Perimeter’s compensation approach is designed to promote fairness and transparency, ensuring alignment with internal equity and external market benchmarks.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Finance and Operations, the Associate Director, Finance plays a pivotal role on the finance team—shaping how the organization plans, analyzes, and stewards its financial resources. This role leads budgeting, financial planning and analysis, reporting, internal controls, and grant management, while working side by side with program and business unit leaders to turn data into clear, actionable insights.
As a trusted partner in decision-making, the Associate Director, Finance helps inform strategic choices for the executive leadership team, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Directors. Just as importantly, this position inspires and develops a team of analysts—fostering collaboration, strengthening capabilities, and building a high-performing finance function that supports the organization’s mission.
What You’ll Do:
Budget Development and Planning
- Lead the annual budgeting process, driving timelines and deadlines while working with business unit leaders to develop comprehensive and accurate budgets aligned with organizational goals.
- Collaborate closely with the People and Culture team to develop effective templates and establish a seamless process, ensuring an efficient and engaging experience for all business unit leaders involved in the headcount management process.
- Oversee the comprehensive consolidation of the institutional budget, ensuring accurate financial data integration from various departments and adherence to established accounting principles and organizational policies.
- Develop financial models and scenarios to support strategic long-term planning and decision-making which will aid in ensuring accurate financial projections and grant applications.
- Prepare and deliver compelling presentations tailored for executive leadership, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors, effectively communicating financial performance, strategic insights, and actionable recommendations to facilitate informed decision-making.
- Develop, maintain, and continuously enhance a robust long-term financial model spanning a five-year horizon, incorporating comprehensive data analysis, and organizational objectives to provide a strategic roadmap for sustainable growth and financial stability.
- Proactively fulfill planning and reporting requirements for new initiatives and projects as mandated by executive leadership and the Board of Directors, ensuring seamless alignment with organizational goals, timely delivery of actionable insights, and effective communication of progress and potential risks.
Financial Analysis and Reporting
- Conduct quarterly variance analysis, investigating deviations from budgets and forecasts, providing insights, resolving queries and suggesting improvements for business unit leaders.
- Partner with business unit leaders to develop comprehensive financial forecasts, leveraging data-driven insights to identify emerging trends, potential financial risks, and operational challenges, enabling proactive mitigation strategies and informed decision-making.
- Collaborate closely with the People and Culture team to seamlessly incorporate relevant staffing updates, including leaves, recruitment, researcher onboarding, and other personnel-related factors, ensuring accurate financial projections and resource allocation aligned with organizational needs.
- Prepare a thorough and comprehensive quarterly budget-to-actual variance analysis, accompanied by a compelling presentation tailored for executive leadership, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors, providing in-depth insights, actionable recommendations, and a transparent overview of financial performance and strategic initiatives.
Systems Management and Internal Controls
- Take a proactive leadership role in directing changes to existing financial systems and implementing new cutting-edge solutions to drive organizational efficiencies, enhance user experience, and streamline processes.
- Collaborate closely with the IT department to ensure seamless integration and interoperability with other critical organizational systems, such as Salesforce, Dayforce, NetSuite, and others, leveraging synergies and maximizing data-driven insights.
- Establish and maintain a comprehensive framework of financial policies and procedures, ensuring adherence to industry best practices, regulatory compliance, and effective risk mitigation strategies.
- Implement robust internal controls and rigorous financial policies to safeguard organizational assets, maintain fiscal integrity, and foster a culture of accountability and transparency across all financial operations.
Donor and Grant Reporting
- Manage the grant accounting process, ensuring proper expenditure tracking, accurate reporting, and strict adherence to all funding requirements and compliance regulations.
- Collaborate closely with the advancement team to develop and deliver customized reports tailored to the specific needs of Perimeter partners, including foundations, corporate partnerships, individual donors, and center-specific reporting requirements.
- Provide strategic leadership and direction to the finance team in the assembly of customized reports, ensuring adherence to strict deadlines, accuracy of information, and consistent formatting and presentation standards. Implement efficient processes and leverage technology to streamline report generation and distribution.
- Proactively liaise with researchers, the advancement team, and business unit leaders, fostering open communication channels and facilitating the seamless exchange of information required for comprehensive financial reporting and analysis. Leverage cross-functional expertise and insights to enhance the quality and relevance of financial data and decision-making processes.
- Oversee and execute comprehensive financial reporting to federal and provincial government granting councils, public and private foundations, and agencies. Ensure strict adherence to grant agreements, regulatory requirements, and compliance protocols. Maintain transparency, accuracy, and timely reporting to uphold fiscal responsibility and facilitate continued access to critical funding sources.
- Conduct a comprehensive review of the financial components in public and private grant applications, as well as meticulously examine cost-sharing agreements with partner universities, such as those involving shared postdoctoral fellow appointments, to ensure compliance, accuracy, and alignment with organizational objectives.
Other Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a team of two (2) financial analysts, providing guidance, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
- Participate in cross-functional projects and initiatives as required.
- Stay current with accounting standards, regulations, and best practices relevant to the non-profit sector.
What You Bring:
- Completed postsecondary degree or diploma in finance, accounting, ore related field and holding a valid CPA certification.
- Strong understanding of non-profit accounting principles and compliance.
- A minimum of eight (8) years related experience in a similar role with at least three (3) years of leadership and staff management experience.
- Highly organized and thorough
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills
- Proficiency in financial modeling, budgeting, and forecasting techniques.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities.
- Proficient at multitasking
- Proficient in NetSuite, MS Word and Excel
- Professional and Proactive
Please submit your resume and expression of interest by June 19, 2026 in order to ensure full consideration of your application. The posting will remain live until the position is filled. We appreciate your interest in supporting Perimeter Institute’s mission. While we thank all applicants, only select individuals will be contacted.
We are committed to creating an exceptional workplace where innovation, growth, and well-being thrive.
Here’s how we do it:
Flexible, Hybrid Work Environment: We offer the flexibility you need to balance work and life, with options for hybrid arrangements.
Comprehensive Health and Dental Benefits: Your well-being matters to us. We provide extended health benefits that support you and your family in maintaining a healthy and balanced life.
Employer-Matched Pension Plan: We invest in your future by offering an employer-matched pension plan, ensuring financial security for the years to come.
Generous Time-Off Policy: We provide ample vacation, personal time, and other leave options so you can recharge and focus on what matters most.
Personal and Professional Development: We support your growth with dedicated funding for training, certifications, and professional development tailored to your goals.
Dynamic, One-of-a-Kind Facility: Work in a cutting-edge facility unique to Canada, designed to produce scientific breakthroughs by fostering collaboration, creativity, and a vibrant workplace culture.
If you're looking for a place where your contributions are valued, your development is supported, and your work environment inspires you, Perimeter is the place for you.
Perimeter Institute is committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
Perimeter Institute provides support throughout the application process for applicants with disabilities. We work with you to understand the impact of your disability to appropriately accommodate you during the application/interview process. Please contact [email protected] for assistance.
