Director of Finance

Job Description – Director of Finance

Identifying Information
Position Title: Director of Finance
Program Area: Finance
Job Level: Senior Manager/Director
Reports To: Executive Director
Direct Reports: Manager, Payroll & Finance; others to be confirmed
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Position Close: April 20, 2025

Organization Summary
For over 100 years, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has promoted mental health for everyone. Today, we support the resiliency and recovery of people experiencing mental illness and their families in 330 communities across Canada. Locally, CMHA Edmonton offers the most comprehensive set of community mental health programs for individuals and families affected by mental health and related issues, like abuse, violence, and suicide, living in Edmonton and Northern Alberta. Tens of thousands of people depend on CMHA Edmonton for peer and family support, self-advocacy assistance, affordable housing, suicide bereavement, community education and training, and helplines like the Distress Line, 9-8-8, and 2-1-1. CMHA Edmonton currently has an operating budget over $10 million and assets over $12 million, including endowments, reserves, and buildings. To learn more about us, please visit our website.

Job Summary
The Director of Finance will be a strategic leader responsible for leading all financial operations, including ensuring fiscal responsibility and enabling growth through sound financial planning and analysis. This role involves overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes while maintaining robust internal controls and ensuring regulatory compliance. As a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Finance will provide insights into financial strategy, support decision-making, optimize financial performance, and facilitate sound business practice across the organization. The successful candidate will guide and develop a high-performing finance team, foster cross-departmental collaboration, and enhance operational efficiency through continuous improvement of financial systems and processes.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement financial strategies that align with CMHA Edmonton Region.
• Lead financial planning initiatives, including long-term financial modeling, business case analysis, and financial performance reviews.
• Advise the leadership on potential risks, growth opportunities, and financial impact of strategic initiatives.
• Provide financial data and analysis for grant applications and donor reporting and stewardship.
• Act as Executive Lead in support of the Board’s Finance, Investment, and Audit Committee, regularly interacting directly with the Board Treasurer to discuss and set agenda items and meeting materials.

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial records, and oversee the timely completion of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
• Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, budget updates, and analysis deliverables to management and the Board of Directors through its Finance, Investment, and Audit Committee.
• Supervise the finance team in accounting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and other financial operations.
• Manage audits and liaise with external auditors, ensuring compliance with standards and internal policies.
• Support the Manager of Payroll and Finance with the oversight of daily operations of the finance team ensuring effective financial controls, cash management, and compliance with tax and pension plan requirements.

Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting

• Oversee and manage all financial activities, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Conduct monthly, quarterly, and annual financial performance analyses, identifying trends and advising on adjustments to ensure budget alignment.
• Provide insights for strategic financial planning, collaborate with senior and operational leadership to enhance financial performance, and advise the Executive Director and Senior Leadership team on budgetary opportunities and threats.
• With the Executive Director, liaise with the Board Treasurer and the Board’s Finance, Investment, and Audit Committee to provide information, analysis, and advice to support the Board’s fiduciary responsibility and understanding of the organization’s financial health.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Responsible for maintenance, enforcement, and continual improvement of financial policies and procedures that support internal controls, mitigate financial risks, and safeguard the assets of the organization.
• Ensure compliance with federal, provincial, and local financial regulations, including CRA and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements.
• Maintain compliance with corporate registries.
• Assist with AGLC licensing for staff.
• Support organizational risk management efforts by identifying, assessing, and implementing strategies to mitigate risk exposures.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, promoting a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and support team members’ professional growth through targeted development plans.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support financial literacy across departments.
• Serve as a key advisor to senior leadership on financial matters.

Vendor & Contract Management

• Oversee a comprehensive corporate contracting process and an effective procurement program with clear, documented processes.
• Responsible for the vendor management program to ensure fiscal responsibility, appropriate controls, and compliance with organization policies, pension plan service agreements, and legislation.

Process Improvement & Digital Transformation

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the finance department by encouraging innovative, proactive, and collaborative problem solving.
• Working closely with other departments, evaluate and recommend new technologies, tools, policies, and procedures to assure and improve accuracy and ease of use of financial processes.
• Facilitate collaboration between fundraising and finance to drive toward organization goals and ensure accountability to donors and funders.
• Oversee the implementation, optimization, and integration of new financial systems to enhance operational efficiency and capabilities for better reporting, analysis, and foresight.
• Build strong working relationships among finance and program areas to enable effective planning, fiduciary responsibility, and strategic growth.

Education, Experience & Qualifications

• CPA designation or equivalent financial certification required.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of financial management experience, preferably in the charitable sector.
• Strong knowledge of non-profit accounting principles, including fund accounting and grant reporting.
• Experience with financial software and reporting tools (e.g., Sage 300, or other ERP systems).
• Experience with asset management, investment strategy, and stewardship of endowments and donor-directed funds in a charity context is an asset.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Strong communication and ability to present financial data to non-financial stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.

Skills/Abilities

Strategic Management

• Ability to align departmental objectives with organizational strategy.
• Data-driven approach to assessing challenges and implementing solutions.
• Agility in navigating fast-paced and evolving environments.
• Strong analytical mindset to evaluate business needs and optimize processes.

Leadership & People Management

• Proven ability to inspire, develop, and lead diverse teams.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills to drive department outcomes.
• Effective delegation, resource allocation, and performance management skills.
• Strong conflict resolution skills, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• High emotional intelligence, resilience, and ability to lead under pressure.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Strong communication and engagement skills.
• Ability to provide and implement constructive feedback to enhance team performance.
• Proven track record of fostering collaboration and building cross-functional relationships.
• Exceptional presentation and facilitation skills for diverse audiences.

Project & Time Management

• Setting and executing department priorities to achieve business goals and continuous improvement service delivery.
• Effective management of timelines, budgets, and resources across multiple projects and programs.
• Strong ability to balance competing priorities and drive operational efficiency.

Working Conditions

• Current and clear Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Check and an Intervention Record Check.
• This position requires the incumbent to work from the office Monday to Friday.

To Apply

https://cmhaedmonton.bamboohr.com/careers/143

Disclaimer

This job description outlines the representative responsibilities and specifications of the position; however, it should not be considered an exhaustive list of all duties and requirements. Beyond the listed job duties and responsibilities, an internal performance matrix will also be used to assess individual performance, ensuring that evaluations are not based solely on the stated duties. This job description will be reviewed and updated during the annual performance review or as needed.