For additional information, please contact:
Gerri Woodford, Partner, Academic Practice
gerri.woodford@odgersberndtson.com
Jason Murray, Engagement Manager, Academic Practice
jason.murray@odgersberndtson.com
Mary-Katherine Bouchard, Engagement Manager
marykatherine.bouchard@odgersberndtson.com
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A Snapshot of the Opportunity
McGill University seeks a visionary leader to assume the position of Vice-Principal
(Administration and Finance) (VPA&F). Reporting to the Principal and Vice-Chancellor,
the VPA&F is McGill’s chief financial and administrative officer.
Under the leadership of the Vice-Principal, the Office of Administration and Finance
provides sound management to McGill’s financial and human resources, information
technology, university investments and endowments, facilities, and risk management and
insurance practices. Given the size and scope of the portfolio, and the many constituents
linked to Administration and Finance at McGill1, the VPA&F must be a seasoned
administrator accustomed to delivering excellence in a complex organization. The person
who realizes success in this portfolio is effective at delegation, and maintains positive,
productive relationships with colleagues and the greater community.
In today’s post-secondary environment, developments in technology are enabling changes
that affect the way in which universities operate. As technology transforms how learners
relate to the academy, McGill continues to remain responsive to ongoing changes. The
incoming VPA&F must be knowledgeable about technological advances, and must be
capable of calibrating technological systems in response to evolving needs.
McGill University is committed to furthering its culture of sustainability, as evidenced by
its Vision 2020 Sustainability Strategy. To sharpen its sustainability agenda, the principles
of sustainability should underpin relevant decisions that move the University forward.
The VPA&F must recognize sustainable opportunities and be committed to implementing
decisions with a sustainable future in mind.
As a publicly funded institution, McGill University will continue to be affected by the
financial environment of post-secondary institutions. Governments across the country
have been adjusting their approaches to funding universities, choosing to reduce or
constrain the growth of operating grants, establishing targeted program funding, and
changing eligibility criteria for research funding. In this economic climate, the VPA&F
must implement a budget that aligns with the priorities of the overall institution. To that
end, the VPA&F must work with the University community to ensure it continues to
distinguish itself as a globally-minded, highly productive, relevant, 21st century centre of
higher learning. This must be done with the goal of maintaining the University’s
commitment to excellence in teaching and research.
T
The Administration and Finance sector comprises 735 employees (July 2016).
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The Vice-Principal will ensure the effective operations of the Office of Administration and
Finance on a day-to-day basis, and the assignment of appropriate resources needed to
support the academic enterprise. The VPA&F will be skilled at nurturing a team that is
client focused, agile, efficient, connected and innovative. The VPA&F must be skilled at
managing a multi-generational workforce who bring different perspectives and expertise
to the workplace environment.
A key area that requires sound leadership from the VPA&F is infrastructure development,
whether related to the maintenance and renewal of current infrastructure or
infrastructure expansion. The University is currently working on a campus master real
estate plan, intended to guide infrastructure projects and plans for physical growth. The
plan will include a renewal program aimed to refurbish McGill’s historic buildings, with a
view to maintaining their patrimonial value, while repurposing and upgrading the space
for a contemporary learning environment. McGill has also proposed a future for the Royal
Victoria Hospital site, as the site would increase the University’s available space, and give
the McGill community room to fulfill its mission over the long-term. The VPA&F would
lead this project’s planned development.
Candidate Qualifications
Although the Search Committee recognizes that no one individual possesses the sought
after qualifications in equal measure, it has developed a set of criteria to articulate the
desired background, experience and personal qualities of the ideal candidate:
Experience, Skills, and Credentials
 A degree from a recognized university is required; a graduate degree is preferred,
and professional designation would be an asset.
 A track record of successful leadership in a complex organization, preferably within
the university environment; an understanding of university administration and
government funding structures for postsecondary education is considered an asset;
knowledge of, or an appreciation for, the Quebec education system would be
particularly useful.
 Strategic leadership abilities, with a demonstrated ability to effectively support the
organization’s core mission and values.
 A clear, distinctive, and specific view of the future that is connected to the strategic
goals of the University.
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 A well-developed talent for overseeing highly sophisticated and complex budgets
and financial systems.
 An understanding of the various areas linked to the portfolio.
 The capacity to build effective relationships with a variety of constituents, and at all
levels.
 Proficiency in both English and French (both written and oral), particularly given
the external dealings with other Quebec Universities and the Quebec Government.
Leadership, Administration, and Management
 A capacity for leading change, and a decision-making style that moves ideas and
people toward strategic goals; an ability to see the big-picture, and the foresight to
anticipate results.
 An astute and nimble approach to management, and an ability to present creative
and alternative approaches to the completion of tasks.
 Successful experience in leading, managing, and continuously developing teams
related to the administrative functions within the portfolio, with a service
orientation – in particular, information technology, human resources, and/or
financial and facilities management.
 Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to
communicate complex financial information in a clear, concise manner.
Personal Qualities
 A career history demonstrating personal values such as integrity, inclusiveness,
mutual respect, trust, respect for cultural and ethnic diversity, and a caring and
respectful approach to all interpersonal relationships.
 A passion for playing a key role in preparing students for their future, providing
them with an experience that encourages them to become exceptional members of
civil society.
 A natural inclination for putting the needs of an institution first.
The Appointment
McGill University is committed to equity in employment and diversity. It welcomes
applications from Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities,
persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, visible minorities, women, and
5
others who may contribute to diversification. All qualified applicants are encouraged to
apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
The five-year renewable appointment will be effective Fall 2016 or as mutually agreed.
The Advisory Committee will begin consideration of candidates in August of 2016. To
ensure consideration, please respond by July 31, 2016. Nominations, applications, and
expressions of interest may be forwarded, in confidence, to Gerri Woodford or Jason
Murray at mcgillvpaf@odgersberndtson.com.
Please refer to the Appendices below for additional information
6
Appendix A - Key Responsibilities/Functions of the Office of the Vice-Principal
(Administration and Finance)
Financial Services
Responsible for the recording and reporting of the financial activities of the University’s units,
and the high-level monitoring of the integrity of financial transactions.
Human Resources
Responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures affecting the
working conditions of all staff, the negotiation of collective agreements, as well as pens ion
administration, benefits and pay, and the development and implementation of salary policies for
all staff at the University.
Office of Investments
Responsible for the management of the investments and other university endowments in order
to provide a dependable and optimal source of income for endowment beneficiaries while
preserving the real value of capital. Also responsible for managing the University’s cash and
short-term borrowings, approving the opening of endowment accounts, and monitoring the
financial aspects of estates/trusts held outside of the University in which McGill holds an
interest.
Risk Management and Insurance
Responsible for promoting and advancing the use of risk management practices in order to
protect McGill’s human and physical resources, including its revenues, against potential loss.
Facilities Management and Ancillary Services
Responsible for providing infrastructure services including building and grounds, special events,
retail, parking, printing, mail, utilities and energy management, building operations, project
management, design services, logistics, campus and space planning, safety, and security.
Information Technology Services
Responsible for delivering user-centred information systems and services to the University
community, while ensuring data and systems infrastructures that are technically sound, secure,
state of the art, financially viable, and poised for future developments.
Internal Audit (IA)
Responsible for ensuring that the University has an effective system of internal controls. The
Executive Director reports to the Vice-Principal, Administration and Finance, on the day to day
administration, activities and operation of IA and to the Audit Committee of the Board of
Governors on progress and results of IA activities.
For more information about the Office of the Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance), visit:
http://www.mcgill.ca/vpadmin/office-vice-principal-administration-and-finance
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Appendix B — McGill University
McGill University is, by every measure, one of the
world’s great universities. A member of the Global
University Leaders Forum (GULF) of the World
Economic Forum and the American Association of
Universities (AAU), McGill is consistently cited in
the top 25 universities in the world.
McGill comprises two campuses, ten faculties,
twelve professional schools, and over 300 programs of study. Over 1000 of McGill’s nearly 1700
tenure-track, full-time faculty have been appointed since 2000, bringing vitality to teaching and
research endeavours. McGill has recruited 162 Canada Research Chairs, employs
approximately 10,000 people, and is home to nearly 40,000 students, over 9400 of whom are
graduate students. In the province of Quebec, the University has an economic impact of $5.2
billion annually.
The University boasts an international
network of alumni, including nine Nobel
Laureates, and 139 Rhodes Scholars
(which is more than any other university in
Canada).
Located in Montreal, Quebec, one of the
world’s most exciting and vibrant cities, McGill is distinguished by the excellence of its faculty,
the dedication of its staff, the talent and quality of its students, the contributions of its alumni,
and its exceptional record in both teaching and research. The main campus is set upon 32
hectares, and is among the most beautiful university campuses in the world. The Macdonald
Campus, spread over 1600 acres of land, is located in the picturesque town of Ste-Anne-deBellevue, on the western tip of the Island of Montreal.
For eleven consecutive years, McGill has been ranked first among Canada’s medical-doctoral
universities by Maclean’s, a prominent business publication in Canada. For more detailed
information about McGill, please visit www.mcgill.ca.
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Appendix C — About Montreal, Quebec
McGill University is located in Montreal, the second largest city in Canada next to Toronto, and
the 15th largest in North America. In 2016, QS World University Rankings ranked Montreal as
the 7th-best place in the world to be a university student.
Based on GDP, Montreal has the second-largest economy
among Canadian cities, and is a critically important centre for
culture and entertainment, commerce, finance, industry,
technology, and world affairs. In the finance industry, for
example, the legal corporate head offices for two of Canada’s
five largest banks are in Montreal, and in the area of
entertainment, Montreal plays headquarters to a number of
television and movie production studios.
According to the 2014 rankings of the International Congress and Convention Association
(ICCA), an organization that assists with organizing, transporting, and accommodating
international events, Montreal was named North America’s number one host city for international
association events. Montreal showcases a vast number of buildings which carry true
architectural presence. There are 50 National Historic Sites of Canada in the city of Montreal,
which is more than any other city in Canada. Montreal is composed of 19 large boroughs further
subdivided into small neighbourhoods, each of them offering their own unique character.
Montreal’s urban culture is truly exceptional.
The city is home to many cultural festivals,
including: the Montreal International Jazz
Festival, which holds the 2004 Guinness World
Record as the world’s largest festival and, every
summer, welcomes over 2 million visitors; the
Montreal World Film Festival, which has a
diversity of films from all over the world; and, the
Just for Laughs comedy festival, which is the
largest international comedy festival in the world. Monocle magazine refers to Montreal as
“Canada’s Cultural Capital”.
For more information about Montreal and to discover why it is one of Canada’s gems, visit:
http://www.montreal.com/, or Official City Portal.
9
Appendix D — Advisory Committee
Chair
Suzanne Fortier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor
Board of Governors Representatives
Mr. Michael Boychuk
Mr. Peter Coughlin
Mr. Stuart Cobbett
Ms. Maryse Bertrand
Senate Representatives
Amélie Quesnel-Vallée
Valérie Orsat
Lawrence Chen
Terry Hébert
Student Representatives
PGSS Representative
Jacob Lavigne
SSMU Representatives
Erik Partridge
Special Advisor
Christopher Manfredi, Provost and Vice-Principal Academic
Chief of Staff, Office of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor
Susan Aberman
Secretary
Edyta Rogowska
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CONFIDENTIALITY (ODGERS BERNDSTON)
Odgers Berndtson respects the privacy and confidentiality of personal information provided by
candidates in our search assignments. In accordance with the Personal Information Protection
and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”), a copy of our Privacy Policy is available for your
review on our website at: http://www.odgersberndtson.ca/ca/privacy-policy/
Odgers Berndtson is a member of the Association of Executive Search Consultants and
operates in a manner consistent with the AESC Code of Ethics.
By providing us with a copy of your resume and any subsequent personal information directly or
from third parties on your behalf such as references, you understand that it has been furnished
with your consent for the purpose of possible disclosure to our client, who has agreed to comply
with our Privacy Policy. We will not disclose your personal information to clients without your
prior knowledge and consent.
Thank you for considering this important opportunity. This document is intended to
provide the reader with information and is not a contractual document. Some of the
material therefore may be subject to change. Please feel free to contact us should you
have any questions.
Office of the Vice‐Principal,
Administration and Finance
7/12/2016
Interim Vice‐Principal,
Administration and Finance
Morty Yalovsky
Senior Advisor,
Governance
Senior Director
Executive Assistant to the Vice‐Principal and Administrative Officer
Joyce Donohue
Stephanie Isaacs
Julie Prsa
Administrator,
Governance
Senior Project Manager
Senior Advisor,
Organizational Development,
My Workplace
Senior Advisor, McGill Innovation Agenda and Workforce Management
Senior Project Manager
Administrative Coordinator
Patrick Ritchie
Geneviève Côté
Joan Soares
Lea Cameron
Paolo Errore
Christine Wang
University Units Reporting to the Vice‐Principal, Administration and Finance
7/12/2016
Interim Vice‐Principal,
Administration and Finance
Morty Yalovsky
Associate Vice‐Principal, Financial Services
Cristiane Tinmouth
Executive Director,
Internal Audit
(Dual Reporting: VP A&F and Chair of Audit Committee)
Associate Vice‐Principal,
Information Technology Services
Ghilaine Roquet
Associate Director, Risk Management and Insurance
Giovanna Santullo
Janice McGraw
Associate Vice‐Principal,
Human Resources
Lynne B. Gervais
Associate Vice‐Principal,
Facilities Management and Ancillary Services
Robert Couvrette
Chief Investment Officer
Sophie Leblanc