Location
Calgary, AB | Canada
Job description
The Opportunity: Chief Financial Officer
Onward owns and operates a multi-million-dollar capital asset portfolio, with an annual budget of $16 million. [Note that private sector revenues on an equivalent portfolio would be in the range of $35M.] This is an outstanding opportunity for a finance executive with considerable operational and growth experience and a proven track record in stakeholder partnerships, creative problem-solving and change management to join a mission-driven organization.
Reporting to the CEO, and a key member of the executive leadership team, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides strategic leadership and hands-on execution in the financial and shared services realms and fosters strong relationships internally and externally.
The CFO drives delivery of results to meet Onward’s strategic and business goals and furthers the purpose of the organization. The CFO possesses the vision and drive necessary to ensure Onward builds exceptional financial strength and solid operations. The CFO will be a key contributor to the cost-efficient delivery of the organization’s strategic and business plan, including a focus on both strong operations and growth.
The CFO is primarily responsible for providing leadership for finance and controls, compliance and reporting, contracts management and procurement, business strategy, information technology and operational management. This role will also represent the organization externally, particularly with funding and lending relationships.
Accountabilities and Deliverables
Strategy, Leadership and Work Culture
- Provide expert advice and support to the CEO, the leadership team and the Board on organizational performance towards outcomes, including strategic and business plans, business models, financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, investment priorities and policy matters ensuring continued financial viability.
- Provide direct leadership, coaching, mentoring and support to the finance and development teams; establish and monitor performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set priorities, and develop staff using a collaborative approach.
- Ensure Onward continues to be a place of continuous learning and business excellence by developing training programs for employees at all levels to raise the standards of performance and ensure consistency and accountability by promoting a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and collaborative input that values learning and a commitment to quality and results.
- Contribute to the development of Onward’s strategic goals, lead the development of the annual business plans, including the overall annual operating financial strategy and development model and ensure Onward is adhering to the strategic plan and business plans, presenting to the CEO and at Board meetings to provide updates on strategic objectives and progress.
- Provide oversight for all internal financial and risk management policies, ensuring they are aligned with appropriate legislation and accurately reflect internal processes and procedures.
- Engage the Board and Board’s Finance and Audit Committee at a strategic level around issues, trends, and changes in operating, financing, investing and growth models; provide sound business advice and ensure that appropriate actions are taken.
- Support the work of the CEO with the Board’s Governance Committee including maintaining Board and management policy manuals, assisting with orientation of incoming directors, updates to bylaws, and an annual process for evaluating Board effectiveness.
- Assume additional responsibilities in the absence of the CEO.
Finance, Operations, Compliance and Risk Management
- Demonstrate a customer-focused approach for partnering with the leadership team to develop maintain, monitor, enhance, and implement an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and procedures that support organization-wide efficiencies and effectiveness ensuring legal and fiduciary responsibilities are met.
- Lead development of management team and Board reporting, including KPIs and dashboards, and ensure solid operational infrastructure (policies, systems, processes, key performance indicators (KPIs), and resources) is in place to drive solid financial performance, exceptional operations and meaningful growth.
- Lead, plan, coordinate and execute the annual budget process and lead and prepare the annual business plan, in close collaboration with the CEO and the Chief Operating Officer (COO).
- Complete monthly quarterly and annual financial and KPI reporting, including drafting management discussion and analysis statements and notes in annual report.
- Oversee accounting and cash flow analysis of capital and operating projects and proposals; ensure reliable cash flow projection processes and reporting including minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs; initiate appropriate financial strategies to enhance cash position.
- Oversee donations in accordance with Onward’s policies and Canada Revenue Agency guidelines.
- Ensure appropriate tax planning and compliance with all regulatory agencies and filings, including filing of tax returns; ensure compliance with, and accurate and timely reporting on, agreements with all funders and donors.
- Lead and provide direction to the contracts management and procurement as well as records management functions.
- Support the CEO in the negotiation of multi-year funding commitments with governments (municipal, provincial and federal) and other key stakeholders.
- Act as assigned Privacy Officer.
- Ensure all legal and official records including articles of incorporation, bylaws, charitable returns, society returns, minute books and member’s register are current and maintained in accordance with accepted standards for the charitable sector.
- Collaborate with the senior leadership team on annual risk mitigation plan, oversee its implementation, and evaluate its effectiveness on a quarterly and annual basis.
- Ensure compliance will applicable legislation within Onward’s operations, with health and safety of residents and staff a key priority.
- Review the annual insurance renewal and assess sufficient coverage for buildings and other assets in coordination with CEO.
- Meet the short and long-term information technology (IT) needs through the development and implementation of appropriate plans and strategies, and through the provision of high-quality technical support services; oversee liaison with external IT consultant provider.
- Oversee office operations functions (contracts, hardware, software, storage, etc.) to ensure they runs smoothly and effectively at all locations, including Onward’s main and building offices.
Development
- Lead the capital and business development functions of Onward in close collaboration with the CEO and COO.
- Lead the development of effective growth strategies and deliver on growth goals, including acquisitions and new developments.
- Develop and implement plans to secure capital, including financing, donations and grants.
- Develop and nurture relationships within government, partner agencies, the private real estate and development industry, consultants and other relevant sector stakeholders to further Onward’s growth goals.
The Person
This role will appeal to an entrepreneurial, values-driven leader with the poise, skill, judgment and sensitivity required to garner the trust and confidence of public, private and non-profit funders, stakeholders and the public at large. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:
- A professional accounting designation (CPA, CA, CGA or CMA).
- At least 12 to 15 years of relevant financial leadership experience, at an executive level.
- A well-rounded background with strong business skills and a proven track record of integrating and aligning business strategies with organizational resources in a dynamic environment.
- Experience in managing large capital portfolios, property acquisitions, enterprise risk and financial reporting is essential.
- Experience with management of information systems is required.
- Prior experience in the public or charitable sectors is an asset, including sophisticated fund and grant accounting, compliance, and reporting.
Competencies & Personal Characteristics
Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Identify opportunities for improvement while considering current procedures and measures of performance. Recognize opportunities to apply ideas in new ways, demonstrating initiative, resourcefulness, and perseverance when transforming ideas into actions.
Results Orientation and Maintaining Direction: Demonstrate the desire to meet a high standard of performance. This will include setting goals and priorities that maximize the use of available resources to consistently deliver results against goals and expectations. Review and alter plans and priorities on an ongoing basis and establish procedures for regular review of progress.
Resource Management: Identify, obtain, and effectively allocate resources required to achieve goals, including the ability to assign appropriate resources to problems and opportunities.
Fostering Collaboration, Cooperation and Teamwork: Promote cooperation, collaboration and partnerships between individuals or groups both inside and outside of the organization, ensuring that everyone understands each other’s roles, responsibilities and contributions and works toward success for all.
Dedication to Quality and Excellence: Produce results that meet or exceed standards. Show concern for quality, accuracy and completeness of work activities. Notice opportunities to improve quality and take action to do so.
Organizational Awareness: Understand Onward’s structures, goals, purpose, vision and values. Demonstrate awareness of the impact and implications of decisions and activities.
Compensation
A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.
Express Your Enthusiasm
Leaders is committed to supporting diverse working environments. We seek applicants who will strengthen our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage qualified candidates from Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, individuals with disabilities, and other members of marginalized communities to apply for our roles.
Creating homes for Onward residents takes an exceptional team of employees who value positive results, show leadership, and believe in the non-judgmental inclusion of others.
Please email a convincing cover letter and tailored resume (PDF or Word document only) to Allan Nelson, Shalini Bhatty or Heather Fookes at [email protected] indicating the job title in the subject line of the email.
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