Director, Finance & Administration

Job title: Director, Finance & Administration

Job description: Company Description

Rare senior leadership opportunity in Finance to join one of Canada’s leading environmental organization and become an agent of change!

About the David Suzuki Foundation

Always grounded in sound evidence, the David Suzuki Foundation empowers people to take action in their communities on the environmental challenges we collectively face.

Through evidence-based research, policy analysis, education and citizen empowerment, we conserve and protect the natural environment to create a sustainable Canada.

Our mission is to protect nature’s diversity and the well-being of all life, now and for the future. Our vision is that we all act every day on the understanding that we are One With Nature. #OneNature

You can learn more about us at

The David Suzuki Foundation hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equality and diversity within its community and to a welcoming and inclusive workplace.

We especially welcome applications from Indigenous persons, visible minority group members, women, persons with different abilities, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

Job Description

Title: Director, Finance & Administration

Details: Permanent/ 34 hours/ 4-day work week

Reporting to: Deputy Executive Director

Location: Vancouver office priority and remote as needed

• Are you a talented senior finance leader with a proven track record in providing exceptional financial and administration management?
• Can you inspire a finance team of hardworking individuals and connect across the organization on all levels to drive good processes?
• Are you passionate about saving the planet? Would you like to contribute to a growing environmental NGO and charity working to protect nature’s diversity and climate solutions for now and the future?

About the Role

The David Suzuki Foundation is working with people throughout Canada to provide climate solutions and build vibrant, sustainable, just communities. We are currently looking for a visionary and accomplished Director, Finance & Administration to lead our Finance Department.

This is a rare and coveted opportunity for someone like you who has a proven track record and knows how to make a significant difference in organization-wide financial management. You deliver great financial and administrative results.

You will manage accounting, payroll and office finance and administration functions for our three offices nationally (Quebec, Ontario and BC); and working with and responsible for a small team of staff and vendors.

You’ll work under the direction of our Deputy Executive Director and in partnership with our Executive Director and Senior Management Team, as well as our Board.

You have a strong desire to make a difference by providing exceptional financial leadership to a trusted environmental organization. You are a collaborative team player who values transparency in interactions and understands the value of relationship building.

You are able to manage challenges and have strong interpersonal and communication skills. You are aligned with the values of the foundation (solution-seeking, courageous, collaborative, integrity-driven and committed).

You demonstrate DSF values in your leadership and actions, everyday.

Your Responsibilities

You are a dedicated expert in Financial Stewardship and Performance. You know how to enhance and sustain DSF’s long-term successful and sound financial performance in the following ways.

• Guide the strategic development and management of DSF’s financial resources
• Maximize the development of DSF’s Endowment Fund within the Board policy guidelines
• Provide sound investment management leadership
• Seek out opportunities to develop financial management capacity
• Share economic learning within the organization
• Support donor relations and fundraising activities

You are a driving force and provide exceptional Finance, Accounting and Administration Leadership.

• Ensure activities and reporting are carried out in an accurate and timely fashion Ensuring adequate financial internal controls exist throughout the organization
• Ensure payroll and benefits administration are well managed (in collaboration with the Director, People & Culture)
• Plan and direct DSF’s financial budgeting and forecasting process (with the Executive and Management Team)
• Present financial statements and reports to the Board Finance Committee and the full Board
• Liaise with external auditors, bankers, investment advisors and credit suppliers
• Identify and manage organization risks and risk response including insurance
• Oversee and guide renewal project for all three office leases (with the Senior Manager Operations)

You excel at providing Board and Management Team Financial Support in the following ways.

• Put in place forecasting and monitoring tools that permit the organization to measure success and plan for the future
• Act as a sounding board for the Executive Director, Management Team and the Board of Directors on issues of strategic importance and significance
• Participate in Board Finance Committee meetings (and in full Board meetings, as required) and support governance processes
• Ensure adherence with board policy and updating as required
• Ensure up to date and accurate financial information is readily available in a timely manner

You are a relationship builder extraordinaire and know what great Department Leadership looks like.

• Participate in the development of strategic and annual plans aligning financial planning in the process
• Develop great departmental work plans
• Maintain a happy and high performing team of staff
• Interact with other departments and external organizations in a professional and respectful manner

You recognize and seize opportunities in Process Improvements including the following:

• Assess new features, functionality and integration options in Financial Edge NXT
• Assess management of internal systems including how payroll and fundraising receipts are processed
• Challenge existing approaches and drive change when needed
• Demonstrate a commitment to creating a learning organizational culture committed to continuous improvement
• Engage effectively across the organization to ensure robust processes and management systems are in place to meet financial and activity targets for the current and future years
• Put in place forecasting and monitoring tools that permit the organization to measure success and plan for the future

Qualifications

Skills, Experience and Knowledge Required

You have:

Education and Experience

• 10+ years of experience, including 5+ years in a controller capacity with the responsibility of leading a successful finance team and being part of the senior leadership team.
• CPA designation
• In depth not-for-profit GAAP and fund reporting experience
• Sound knowledge of current financial and accounting practices and tools
• Experience with current and emerging financial information technology and systems functions, ideally with experience with financial systems implementation.
• Strong knowledge of current Canadian legal operating context around investment, charitable status, and employment and human rights (including the Quebec context).
• Passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion with the ability to support purposeful change
• Collaboration and relationship-building are key to this role’s success.

What you bring to the role:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate and present key messages on complex issues clearly
• Extensive experience in effective leadership, strategic planning and change management
• Strong desire to make a difference by providing exceptional financial leadership to a trusted environmental organization
• Ability to manage time efficiently to focus on organizational priorities, special projects and external activities
• Demonstrate good judgment, solid ethics and appropriate discretion in all your dealings
• Driving force for ensuring that appropriate procedures are in place to facilitate DSF’s long-term development and success
• French language written and verbal skills are an asset.

What You Get

• Make a difference to protect our planet
• Being a part of a team of superstars
• Generous benefit package
• 4-day work week
• Amazing work culture with smart colleagues that care

Additional Information

How to apply:

Please submit your cover letter and your resume online and submit your application by going to https://davidsuzuki.org/careers/. The position will stay open until filled. Only qualified applicants will be contacted.

We recognize the importance of a diversified workforce, and we encourage women, Indigenous People(s), First Nations, Inuk/ Inuit and Métis candidates, members of visible minorities and persons with different abilities to apply.

Company: David Suzuki Foundation

Expected salary:

Location: Vancouver, BC

Job date: Mon, 20 Dec 2021 23:23:41 GMT

Job Source: Careerjet.ca

Click Here to Apply