Our charity client is seeking a Finance Director to join their team. As a growing and thriving organization focused on improving the mental health and well-being of our communities, it is deeply committed to fostering a best-in-class environment that is highly accountable to its Board of Directors and funders. With the intention of scaling their services, this strategic role is critical to its success.
The role
Reporting to the CEO, as the new Director of Finance, you will oversee the finance and accounting functions to ensure the fiscal health and sustainability of the organization. As an integral member of the leadership team, you will strengthen and support the organization’s risk management program, lead the Finance team and take ownership of reporting and auditing. You will ensure that all contributions are in compliance with agreements and schedules.
Who you are
You may be a Finance Manager within another not-for-profit and are looking for your next career move, or you may already be a Director of Finance looking for your next opportunity. Either way, you understand the financial guidelines, reporting, and operations of a funded organization overseen by a Board of Directors. You are outcomes-focused and a dedicated leader, looking for your next challenge, where you can apply and grow your own professional expertise, putting your mark on the financial framework of the organization.
What’s in it for you
Purpose. You want the rare opportunity to steer the financial health of a growing charitable organization. You will be asked to introduce optimizations and best practices to ensure they meet their fiscal responsibilities and are set up to scale successfully over the next few years.
Influence. You want to implement your ideas and best practices in collaboration with leadership and other teams. You will take on the role of trusted advisor, identifying gaps, setting financial and budgetary goals, and introducing system improvements. You want to be a voice at the leadership table and in front of the board.
Growth. You will be part of the senior leadership team, reporting directly to the CEO. This is an exciting career opportunity to take on an influential senior finance role, work directly with the board, and build out your career path.
How you will make an impact:
- Own. You will oversee the management of the finance and accounting functions of the organization, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial and regulatory reporting. You will produce timely, accurate financial statements that comply with Canadian accounting standards. In addition, you will oversee the procurement function and vendor relationships.
- Audit. You will lead the implementation of external audit recommendations and report regularly to the CEO and Board of Directors on progress achieved. You will work with the CEO to lead the organization’s annual external audit process, as well as funder-specific external audits, and financial monitoring activities.
- Strategize revenue generation. You will collaborate across teams to develop long-range revenue generation strategies, analyze funder agreements, determine reporting requirements, and develop annual funder compliance and reporting schedules. You will also collaborate with the CEO and Board of Directors in the further development of the organization’s capital allocation strategy.
- Reporting. You will develop and strengthen the organization’s fund accounting system and reporting, ensuring that funds are allocated towards eligible expenses in compliance with funder agreements. You will provide consistent, accurate, comprehensive financial analysis and reporting to senior management and the Board of Directors. You will ensure the finance team produces timely and accurate financial reports for funders in compliance with complex and changing reporting requirements.
- Forecast and review. You will support the leadership team in meeting with funders to review budgets and financial reports. You will provide monthly annual cashflow forecasts identifying pressure points and proposing risk mitigations. You will engage in regular budget re-forecasting, including updates on actuals against budgets in order to identify potential slippage or overspending; and collaborate with senior management to propose solutions to any such issues. You will respond promptly and thoughtfully to ad hoc funder requests for financial information.
- Optimize and maintain processes. You will strengthen and monitor the development and application of financial controls; provide assurance to the Board of Directors, CEO, and senior leadership that internal controls, procedures, and processes are effective and efficient. In addition, you will further develop and maintain effective financial policies, processes, and procedures.
- Implement risk mitigation strategies. You will collaborate with the CEO and senior leadership to develop, implement, and maintain a risk management framework, with input, involvement, and approval from the Audit, Investment and Risk Committee, which identifies and assesses risks to the organization. You will prepare risk identification reports, monitor risks, and work with the CEO and Board of Directors to take appropriate action.
- Foster a respectful, productive team environment. You will lead the Finance team and provide support, coaching, mentorship, and continuous learning opportunities.
What you bring to the team:
- The expertise. You have progressive, in-depth non-profit experience in a senior financial management role. You have proven experience in budgeting, financial management, financial analysis of business operations, and fund accounting. You have experience preparing complex, detailed financial reports for government funders. You have proven financial management skills with an ability to analyze, interpret, and forecast budgets and present financial reports.
- The ownership. You are ready and willing to take responsibility for all aspects of financial management. You thrive in an autonomous role, and you are curious to understand the organization’s business and financial workings and consistently improve upon them.
- The knowledge. You have worked with nonprofit boards of directors and have an in-depth understanding of funder risk mitigation, governance, and engagement with external collaborative partners. You have experience writing business plans, proposals, reports, and briefing notes. You have in-depth knowledge of finance and accounting principles for Canadian charities, business acumen, and an aptitude for strategic systems implementation.
- The technical skills. You are proficient in MS Office with expertise in Excel, analytical reporting tools and accounting systems. You have a demonstrated ability to adapt quickly, maintain focus, and have a high degree of accuracy while working with complex information and financial data.
- The leadership. You are a strategic thought leader with the insights and experience to share and build from. You have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. You can grow and build a highly effective financial department - and team - guiding the work of others, collaborating across teams, involving colleagues in decision-making, and aligning the organization's processes. You thrive in an environment of progress and excel at working responsively and proactively.
- The scalability. You have the financial modelling expertise to manage the fiscal operations of multiple complex business units. You have the strategic mindset and analytical abilities to plan for growth, and you are ready to guide and execute the plans to scale successfully. You can adapt, scale, and build processes, policies, and budgets to fit the organization's evolving needs.
What you can expect from the interview process
- A 30-minute virtual interview with a Talent Advisor to discuss your interest in the role and to learn more about the organization.
- A 60-minute in-person interview with two members of the organization which will include a brief presentation, no more than 10 minutes.
Apply now
Our client recognizes that only some take the same path when building their skills. Experience, diversity of thought, innovation, a passion for learning, and a team-focused approach can combine to form the best qualifications. If you have 70% of the qualifications we seek, please submit your resume here.
Should you require accommodation in any aspect of the selection process, please contact us at [email protected], and we will be happy to help.
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