Senior Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis

 Reference Number : 977 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $102,816 - $127,008

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 09/05/2025

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility. 

Reporting to the Corporate Controller, the Senior Manager leads a team of advisors responsible for budgeting and financial forecasting. They also serve as the primary financial representative and expert advisor for the ongoing implementation of the Hyperion (EPM) module.

The role plays a key part in financial strategy, modeling and formulating assumptions necessary for designing Oracle’s EPM module. They act as a resource person for the rest of the organization involved in the planned implementation phases of the project in 2025–2026.

Responsibilities: 

They are also responsible for providing the financial planning leadership team with insights into the company’s financial performance, establishing causal links between business behavior and financial results. They ensure expertise in understanding VIA Rail’s business, correlating key operational performance indicators (KPIs) with financial data, managing financial planning data systems, and overseeing the creation of related analyses.

Advisory Expertise: 

• Oversees the development of the organization’s financial forecasts and provides expert leadership to their team and business partners.

• Advises on organizational initiatives and major projects, such as Hyperion (EPM) and other financial transformation efforts.

• Collaborates with their team to analyze and explain financial forecasts and formulate strategic recommendations.

• Implements continuous improvement concepts using technology, competitive intelligence, and enhanced forecasting tools, process designs, and data visualizations.

Management:

• Leads a team of professionals specializing in financial consulting and analysis.

• Fosters team engagement by providing strong guidance and acting as a coach to each member.

• Sets team priorities and takes necessary actions to achieve objectives.

• Takes responsibility for team performance and results, managing with integrity and authenticity.

• Inspires team members to excel by setting individual goals, providing regular feedback, and evaluating performance.

Partnerships: 

• Promotes communication and a culture of partnership with senior leaders to ensure understanding of strategies, issues, directions, requirements, and potential risks in financial planning.

• Develops and documents assumptions, alternatives, and justifications for selected options.

• Prepares and effectively communicates presentations with influence across various levels.
  
  

Financial Analysis & Compliance: 

• Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual reports based on actual results and spending trends.

• Develops cost optimization solutions with their team and partners.

• Oversees the Train Service Report (TSR) to provide management with insights on each train’s contribution and VIA Rail regions, recommending adjustments as needed.

• Collaborates with managers to ensure proper preparation for meetings and financial reporting.

• Supports executive meetings by preparing financial information in advance.

• Manages sensitive board documents and ensures data accuracy.

• Conducts ad hoc analyses to support senior leadership, including the CFO, Corporate Controller, and other executives.

• Serves as the expert and point of contact for financial analysis.
  
  

Requirements: 

• Recognized accounting designation (CPA, CPA-CA, CPA-CMA, or CPA-CGA).

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Finance and Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A).

• At least 5 years of experience supervising financial analysts or advisors.

• Experience implementing or using budgeting and financial planning modeling tools.

• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite.

• Fluency in English and French (spoken and written).
  
  

Core competencies: 

• Delegates and empowers others to foster accountability.

• Collaborates and shares information.

• Demonstrates agility and drives change.

• Understands the industry and stays informed of sector needs.

• Sets direction and inspires others.

• Communicates with impact.

• Applies critical thinking.

Technical skills and knowledge: 

• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles, including GAAP and regulations.

• Familiarity with financial and accounting reporting systems.

• Experience with systems such as Oracle and Power BI.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).

• Understanding of accounting, auditing, and financial planning concepts and processes.

• Bilingual in English and French (spoken and written).

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!