Robotic Process Automation Specialist, Finance

Position Overview
The Department of Finance is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Robotic Process Automation Specialist.
Reporting to the Associate Director Research Accounting, the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Specialist is part of the UCalgary RPA Centre of Excellence, established to drive and support the delivery of Robotics Process Automation (RPA) at the University of Calgary. =
The RPA team builds on UCalgary’s goal to increase innovation through continuous improvement and increased efficiency using Robotics Process Automation. The increased focus on innovation will contribute to UCalgary’s Growth Through Focus strategy.
The RPA Specialist will lead the RPA process from opportunity identification through to deployment of automations, continuous optimization of processes, leveraging new and existing automated solutions and benefits realization. The incumbent will also be responsible for providing training, guidance and assessing the readiness of faculties/units towards Robotics Process Automation. The RPA Specialist will improve process efficiencies through automation while keeping up to date with and implementing RPA industry best practices. The outcome of the work of this role is to bring value to the U of C using RPA to eliminate manual work, reduce errors and rework, better serve end users, shift additional capacity to value added activities and allow the University to effectively handle growth over time.
This position requires a high volume of work, managing numerous competing deadlines, complex problem solving, and a wide scope of interaction with a variety of faculties/units across campus. The requirement for utmost confidentiality, discretion, tact, and diplomacy, as well as an extensive knowledge of Robotics Process Automation, university protocols, policies and procedures, are necessary aspects of the position.
The demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a team player with an open and consultative communication style is a fundamental requirement of this position. The environment is complex, multi-faceted, changing, and demanding, necessitating the ability to exercise a high degree of initiative and judgment. This includes ambiguity (incomplete policy framework and lack of clearly defined decision making authorities), continuous change (constantly changing technology, systems, processes) and shifting priorities.
Position Description
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Leadership

• Provide direction and guidance to stakeholders on opportunity identification, opportunity quantification, prioritization, design and development
• Assess current business systems and internal controls for continuous improvement opportunities; shows an awareness of key drivers for decision-making in the institution and is able to attain buy-in of key stakeholders to change initiatives.
• Acts as subject matter expert in the communication and execution of RPA requirements
• Recommend and implement changes to systems, procedures, process and reporting activities, which may include advising or leading project teams established to evaluate and implement improvements; able to process problems into solutions and new opportunities.
• Support RPA Architect to ensure alignment of business and technology requirements
• Ensure that initiatives undertaken are done in the context of the overall UCalgary strategy
• Manage the portfolio of new RPA automations and identify risks and dependencies
• Collaborate with RPA Developers to design the ‘to-be’ process (e.g. PDD Document, workflow process documents).
• Assess business process re-design requirements and support implementation
• Lead UCalgary’s RPA process by providing direction, guidance and ongoing monitoring of all program components
• Influence leaders and stakeholders within the University to lead, integrate, adopt, and/or champion RPA initiatives so that initiatives impact all levels of the organization
• Participate in testing and deployment of robots as required and coordinate process owner testing
• Resolve key concerns and ad-hoc issues, often when provided with limited identification of the issues, including researching, involving multiple parties, making recommendations to solve, develop procedures, practices, implement tools and test the results. Balance conflicting needs of many stakeholders in recommendations.

Strategic Planning

• Provides strategic planning, continuous improvement strategies and leadership on RPA across departments, faculties and units.

Change Management

• Identify and manage potential resistance to automation of processes
• Lead and implement change management to support the changes to business processes, systems and technology impacted by Robotics Process Automation
• Facilitate RPA educational workshops and training for faculties/units
• Define and measure success metrics and monitor progress

Consulting

• Assess and analyze business processes to identify automation capabilities and provide faculties/units with solutions including business process redesign and automations that align with U of C RPA objectives.
• Accountable for ensuring faculties/units are prepared for Robotics Process Automation
• Provide subject matter advice to stakeholders on automation requirements and implementation
• Prepare and deliver training to faculties/units on Robotics Process Automation
• Perform consulting services to assist management in meeting its objectives
• Use strong influencing capacity to motivate faculties/units towards implementing process automation
• Assess readiness of faculty/unit towards Robotics Process Automation

Relationship Management

• Foster and maintain strong relationships with internal process owners and stakeholders and proactively build channels of communication across business units to ensure collaboration and achievement of RPA and organizational objectives.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Professional accounting designation (CA, CMA, or CGA) and a related university degree
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to influence others to move towards a common objective
• Experience in process analysis and mapping with the ability to translate business requirements into specifications in a technical environment
• Excellent presentation and training skills
• Ability to drive and coordinate activities in complex environments
• Ten or more years of progressive work and management experience in various accounting, budget, and analyst functions and team leadership skills
• Demonstrated experience in implementation of Robotics Process Automation projects
• Ability to solve complex problems and lead others to solve complex problems using sophisticated analytical thought and exercising judgment to identify innovative solutions
• Intermediate to expert user of computer software applications, including enterprise reporting systems, mainframe systems, financial systems, data warehousing and business intelligence tools
• Project planning/management experience
• Experience in leading business process change including change management skills and experience in implementing business process change
• Excellent negotiation skills with an ability to communicate difficult concepts while negotiating with others to adopt a different point of view
• Trained in BluePrism or related RPA software
• Strong collaboration, negotiation and teamwork skills
• Experience working with and presenting to upper management and senior executives

Application Deadline: June 02, 2023
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
Additional Information
This position is classified in the Professional Career Band, Level 4 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework. Management and Professional Staff (MaPS) Positions are currently under review as part of the Alberta Labour Relations Board exclusion review process. Visit the HR website for more information.
To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website .
The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
About The University Of Calgary
The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca .
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High , committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ( [email protected] ) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ( [email protected] ).
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.