Senior leadership opportunity in Finance to join one of Canada’s leading environmental justice organizations.

Job Description

Title: Director, Finance & Administration

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

Reporting to: Deputy Executive Director

Location: Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal offices and remote as needed

Salary: 115-125k based on experience 

About the David Suzuki Foundation

The David Suzuki Foundation empowers people, using multiple approaches, such as research, policy, advocacy and education; to take-action in their communities on the environmental crisis we face.

The founders of the DSF started the organisation with the belief that diversity and difference was crucial to finding solutions to environmental challenges and for survival.  They also recognized that everything is interconnected and interdependent, and that environment and climate cannot be separated from social injustice and inequity. 30 years later, in the midst of a global pandemic we realize that these founding principles are even more relevant than ever.  The current dominant worldview is leading to our demise and we need alternative worldviews, we need diversity and difference to find sustainable solutions.

At DSF we realize that in order to benefit from diversity we need to do more, we need to be inclusive and anti-racist and so the DSF made a public commitment to anti-racism and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).  We recognize that decolonizing and EDI are an essential part of progressive leadership and fundamental to the environmental and climate crisis we face. Furthermore, as a Canadian settler organisation focused on lands and waters, we must work in solidarity and partnership with Indigenous people.  This commitment is reflected in the transforming journey we have started to embed diversity, equity and inclusion, to decolonize and be an anti-racist organization.

We share this to invite those that want to join us on this journey, as we transform ourselves in order to transform our world, to protect nature’s diversity and the well-being of all life now and for the future.  Are you interested in working towards a socially and environmentally just world?  Do you believe that the issues and solutions are interconnected, and that diversity of identities, lived experiences and worldviews are key to our creativity and survival?

You can learn more about us at www.davidsuzuki.org

The David Suzuki Foundation is strongly committed to equity and diversity and to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace.

We especially encourage applications from Equity-deserving groups; specifically, Indigenous and racialised people, members of the LGBQTI+, Trans and gender-diverse , women, persons with disability, chronic illness and neurodiversity.

• Are you a finance leader with a track record in providing strong financial and administration management?
• Have you led financial systems change and been part of a team leading organisational transformation?
• Can you manage and inspire a finance team to implement good processes that are aligned with the goals and values of DSF?
• Would you like to contribute to an environmental Non-Governmental Organization (ENGO) and charity working to protect nature’s diversity and climate solutions embedded in justice and decolonising?
• Are you interested in transforming financial systems, exploring how can they be more equitable just and decolonized?

We are currently looking for an experienced Director, Finance & Administration to lead our Finance Department and support organisational transformation as part of the management team.

You will manage accounting, payroll and office finance and administration functions for our three offices nationally (Quebec, Ontario and BC). You will manage a team of 5-6 staff as well as vendors.

Working under the direction of the Deputy Executive Director and in partnership with the Senior Management Team and our Board, you will help the Foundation to achieve strong financial and administrative accountability.

You have a desire to make a difference by providing 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) and its commitment to being an anti-racist organization, and demonstrate them in your leadership and actions.

Responsibilities

Financial Stewardship and Performance

• 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 knowledge of economic trends and issues
• Support donor relations and fundraising activities

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)

Board and Management Team Financial Support

• 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 the policy, as required
• Ensure up to date and accurate financial information is readily available

Department Leadership

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

Process Improvements:

• 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
• 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
• Put in place forecasting and monitoring tools that permit the organization to measure success and plan for the future

Skills, Experience and Knowledge Required

You have - education and experience

• 7+ years progressively responsible senior roles, 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
• 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
• Experience in effective leadership, strategic planning and change management
• Strong desire to make a difference by providing financial leadership to a trusted environmental organization
• Ability to manage time efficiently to focus on organizational priorities, special projects and external activities
• Good judgment, solid ethics and appropriate discretion
• French language written and verbal skills are an asset

Role benefits

• Ability to contribute to DSF’s mandate
• Generous benefit package
• 4-day work week and flexible work arrangements
• Supportive work culture

How to apply:

Please submit your cover letter, and resume online at  https://davidsuzuki.org/careers/. 

DSF is committed to supporting candidates to fully participate in the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please so indicate in your cover letter.

We thank all applicants. Only those being considered for an interview will be contacted. The position will remain open until filled.