Director Financial Services

The City of Moose Jaw is located along the Moose Jaw River in the south-central part of the province of Saskatchewan. It is situated on the Trans-Canada Highway, 77 km (48 mi) west of the Provincial Capital of Regina. The City is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Moose Jaw No. 161.

Established in 1882 when the Canadian Pacific Railway expanded west, the municipality was incorporated as a City in 1903. The estimated 2024 population of Moose Jaw is a little more than 33,500 which makes it the fourth largest City in Saskatchewan.

The City’s economy is driven by industries such as agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. Moose Jaw is also home to the famous 431 Air Demonstration Squadron (Snowbirds) and 15 Wing’s NATO Flight Training Centre.

Moose Jaw maintains many services and amenities including a tier 1 Regional Hospital, health and medical centres, primary, secondary, and post-secondary (Saskatchewan Polytechnic) education, pharmacy services, dentist, chiropractor, massage, physio, eye doctor, fire & rescue, RCMP detachment, City policing, seniors and supportive living care and housing, community organizations, shopping, a multitude of indoor and outdoor recreation options, art gallery, museum, library, a 28-acre Crescent Park, and a 500-acre Wakamow Valley Park.

In terms of tourism, the City of Moose Jaw is renown as Canada’s Most Notorious City! There are a host of tourist attractions associated with this notoriety including the Tunnels of Moose Jaw. Other additional tourist attractions include Temple Gardens Mineral Spa, Casino Moose Jaw, and various restored historic buildings such as the Yvette Moore Gallery and Café and the magnificent Grant Hall Hotel.

Advantages of living in the City of Moose Jaw are outlined in their Get a Life campaign; historical municipality, urban green spaces, vibrant downtown street culture, modern services, low crime rates and a diversity of career opportunities, and affordability. The median price of an average residential home in 2022 was $248,000.00 (CAN). Moose Jaw ranks #2 in Canada’s Top 20 Small Cities to Live!

The City is governed by a Council comprised of six (6) elected Councillors and one (1) elected Mayor.

Vision: Share our Story

Mission: We are a Community Built on Values

Reporting to the City Manager (or Chief Administrative Officer), The Director of Financial Services is responsible for the leadership of the City of Moose Jaw’s Finances. This includes being the Chief Financial Officer, Leader of the Finance Department and trusted advisor to City Council on all financial matters. The Director of Financial Services will perform the duties and exercise the powers and functions set forth in the Cities Act, City Bylaws, and as directed by City Council. The position is responsible for the operational management and leadership of the Finance Department including initiatives, policies, risk management, organization and control of all financial, budgetary, auditing, payroll, accounting, treasury, assessment and purchasing functions of the City of Moose Jaw. All functions of this position will be carried out in accordance with professional standards established by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada and will comply with generally accepted accounting practices.

The Director of Financial Services should possess a willingness to explore options and challenge the status quo toward achieving the Council’s strategic objectives for the City.

Direct reports:
Administrative Assistant, City Comptroller, City Treasurer, Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis, and Procurement Specialist.

The Ideal Candidate

The Director of Financial Services will possess a strong blend of financial expertise, leadership ability, and strategic vision. They must have a deep understanding of municipal finance, budgeting, and accounting principles, as well as knowledge of local government regulations and compliance requirements. This role demands proficiency in managing multi-million-dollar budgets, overseeing financial reporting, and ensuring the City’s fiscal sustainability. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are crucial for making data-driven decisions that optimize resources and improve efficiency. Additionally, expertise in financial forecasting, risk assessment, and grant management will be vital to supporting and ensuring the long-term fiscal sustainability for the City. Strong competence in Microsoft Office particularly Excel and experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and the integration of financial data essential.

Beyond technical skills, the ideal candidate will be a collaborative and ethical leader with the ability to build strong relationships with the City Manager, Council, department heads, and community stakeholders. They must be an effective communicator, capable of translating complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for decision-makers and the public. A high level of integrity and commitment to transparency is essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring responsible fiscal stewardship. Strong organizational and project management skills will also be needed to oversee administrative functions, including procurement, and operational efficiencies. An innovative forward-thinking mindset adaptability to evolving financial and economic conditions will enable the Director to implement innovative policies and drive continuous improvement in municipal administration.

Roles and Responsibilities

Leadership

• Provide leadership and guidance to City Council, City Departments and the Finance Team ensuring that the appropriate information, tools and perspectives are available to deliver sound financial management of the City’s resources and overall financial strategies.
• As the leader of the Finance Team ensure that staff are equipped with the right skills, tools, talents and perspectives to deliver the operational duties of the Financial Services Department, follow Council direction and be compliant with legislated requirements.
• Act as a transformational change leader to the organization initiating change when required and supporting the City Manager, Directors and City Council in all change initiatives.
• Champion and model, the organizational culture demonstrating accountability, transparency, the City’s values and sense of purpose.
• Practice emotional intelligence in all dealings with co-workers, City Council and citizens.

Finance and Administration Operations

• Manage the Finance Department and ensure that all Finance activities are aligned with the vision, mission, values and objectives as set out in the City’s strategic plan.
• Manage and administer effective financial management systems to ensure appropriate planning and control occurs for the organization.
• Ensure that the organization’s risk exposure is properly managed, and the resulting appropriate insurance coverages and risk mitigation strategies are in place.
• Responsible for ensuring the integrity, timeliness and effectiveness of the City’s Operating, Capital and Equipment budgets.
• Manage and ensure the delivery of the City’s corporate accounting functions including general ledger, financial reporting, accounts payables, job costing and payroll functions.
• Manage and ensure delivery of the City’s corporate treasury functions including cash collection, banking, licensing and customer focused front counter interactions with our citizens.
• Oversee and manage the taxation and assessment processes via the treasury branch of the department of financial services.
• Manages and administers the City’s financing and related cashflow and borrowing activities.
• Develops and implements the corporations long-term financing plans, debt management and internal borrowing strategies and processes.
• Develop and coordinate policy development for all City Financial matters.
• Develop and implement the City of Moose Jaw’s financial polices in respect to the City’s reserves.
• Collaboratively works with the City’s Investment Committee (chair of committee) and Professional Portfolio Manager to ensure the City’s reserves are prudently invested with the objective of maximizing returns while minimizing risk.
• Maintain working relationships with external bodies including senior government departments and agencies, external auditors, banking providers, and investment managers.
• Direct, coordinate and prepare complex reports and recommendations to City Council and Council Committees on all financial matters as required.
• Act as the primary point of contact for City Council, City Manager and Directors in respect to all financial matters.
• Provide City Council, the City Manager and Directors with analysis, research and advisory services related to current and long-term financial strategies and their implementation.
• Play an active role in the development and support of the City’s strategic plan and objectives including dissemination of this plan to all employees, council and the community.
• Responsible for the overall development and ongoing management of the Department’s Operating, Capital and Equipment budgets.
• Ensure that the City is compliant with annual audited financial reporting responsibilities, municipal revenue sharing declarations, municipal public accounts, gas tax reporting and any other financial reporting requirements.
• Responsible for the development and maintains the organizational structure of the Department to ensure that all responsibilities are carried out effectively and efficiently.
• Member of the City’s Strategic Leadership team.
• Attend as required meetings of City Council and City Council Committees.
• Oversee the Department’s compliance with all aspects of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Periodically acts as the City Manager when requested to do so by the City Manager or City Council.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Accounting, Business, Public or Business Administration or related disciplines with additional relevant courses and training.
• Preferably possess a CPA designation.
• 8+ years of experience working in municipal government or public sector is desirable. Combinations of municipal, private, and not-for-profit, along with experience and knowledge of General Accepted Accounting Principles and Public Sector Accounting Standards will be considered.
• Demonstrated experience successfully managing a multi-functional finance team and leading the development and implementation of new or changing business processes.
• The ability to work with multi-departmental / disciplinary teams, facilitate and make decisions, provide direction on complex and emerging issues, and efficiently provide assist and support internal staff and Council.
• Demonstrated experience with executive level problems, strategic planning and related critical thinking.
• Experience working with and supporting a Council or Board of Directors.
• Seasoned interpersonal, communication and presentation skills to work with Council, staff, community groups, leaders, the public, and all orders of government.
• Ability to develop trust-based relationships with senior management, City Council and external parties.
• Recognized within the organization as a trusted advisor able to solve complex problems with practical solutions.
• Disciplined self-starter who is highly organized and able to prioritize in a fast paced environment.
• High functional competency of software applications, including MS Office, Excel and working within a ERP system.

Equal Opportunity
The City of Moose Jaw is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.

Compensation

The compensation range is $123,072 – $147,264 per annum, commensurate with experience and skills. A Group RRSP and competitive benefits package will also be discussed during the recruitment process.

Compliance

The successful candidate will undergo a Criminal Records, Credit Check, and submission of a Driver’s Abstract.

Confidentiality

In compliance and consistent with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (“PIPEDA”), HumanEdge shall respect the privacy and confidentiality of all personal information provided directly or indirectly verbally, electronically or in print throughout the process of candidate engagement in our search assignments.

Resume and Cover Letter can be submitted in confidence to: