Chief Financial Officer

Posting Start Date: December 16, 2024

Posting End Date: January 10, 2025

Contract Type - Full Time, Permanent

Flexible work arrangement: Hybrid

Work location: Burlington, ON

CH Site: Administration Office

Who We Are

Conservation Halton (CH) operates as one of Ontario's 36 Conservation Authorities and is recognized as an innovative and progressive leader in the public sector. Our jurisdiction spans 1,000 square kilometres across Milton, Burlington, Oakville, Halton Hills, Hamilton, Puslinch, and Mississauga, allowing us to serve diverse communities in one of Canada's fastest-growing regions. With strong government, corporate and community partnerships and a robust and resilient operating model, we deliver high-quality programs and services that protect our region against natural hazards, preserve the natural environment, and enhance quality of life for 650,000+ residents.

Our Work & Culture

Working at CH means being part of, and leading, a dedicated and diverse team of talented, passionate, and high-performing professionals. Our award-winning workplace embraces a culture of innovation and continuous learning at every level, reflecting the inclusive values and vision of our Board and senior leadership team. From our foresters, planners, engineers, and ecologists to our restoration specialists, dam operators, educators and many others, CH's staff complement includes more than 150 full-time and 950 part-time employees who share—across unique roles and functions—a commitment to collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and customer service excellence.

Our Future

Over the last decade, our strategic focus on digital transformation, partnership development, and fiscal effectiveness has helped us accelerate innovation and modernize our operations sustainably; we are now positioned at the leading edge in our sector. For the first time in our history, our operating budget has surpassed $50 million. This milestone reflects our commitment to responsible fiscal management, sound governance, and long-term financial sustainability. With a strong senior leadership team and a bright and inclusive vision for the future, CH is poised for continued investment in talented people, high-quality programs and services, new business opportunities, and critical infrastructure that supports future growth in our watershed.

Your Opportunity

Reporting to the CEO and President, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is the key financial and compliance leader for Conservation Halton (CH) responsible for overseeing the financial strategy and driving business planning and fiscal responsibility including:

Finance - Provide oversight to all aspects of CH's financial planning reporting, budget and audit functions ensuring accurate and timely delivery of financial reports to internal and external stakeholders. Work with departmental senior management to deliver presentations for the board, senior leadership, and external stakeholders. The CFO will also collaborate with the CEO and the senior leadership team to align financial goals to strategic priorities and will provide guidance on future strategic investment plans and priorities. A key aspect of this role is to support long term business analysis and financial advice related new growth opportunities

Risk and Compliance - Full accountability and oversight for the Risk and Compliance portfolio including working with staff to identify and develop strategies to mitigate risk enterprise-wide and manage the CH insurance portfolio. Ensure proactive resolution of enterprise-wide risk and compliance matters with specific focus on the CH Conservation Area programs and services. Together with the CEO, this role will also co-lead the Governance and Risk Committee of the Board.

Procurement - Oversight of the continuous improvement of a robust procurement program for transparency and efficiency. Leadership and strategic advice to staff and final approval for large-scale procurement awards and associated legal and contractual matters.

Infrastructure and Facilities - Provide strategic leadership to the management, new build and renewal related to CH's infrastructure and state-of good repair capital program. Providing oversight to project managers overseeing large fiscal impact, this leader will also work with the Head of Corporate Affairs and Senior Manager, Corporate Services to align on matrix success through process improvement and internal capacity building related to change management and project management principles.

Asset Management - Provide oversight to the development, management, updates, and long-term planning related to the Asset Management Program. Consideration of voluntary assessment, accounting, and management of Conservation Halton's green infrastructure assets.

Lands Management - Provide strategic financial guidance to the administration of land acquisition, disposition, and easements. Guide the team on land matters such as coordination of long-term quarry land transfer agreements with cross departmental support.

The CFO will focus on performance excellence and delivering results on strategic initiatives and will play a key role in asset management planning, influencing long term growth and asset management strategy to drive success.

Your Qualifications

• Exceptional business and financial acumen with 10+ years' experience in an executive role leading large multiple disciplinary team
• 10+ years' experience managing budget $50M+ within a complex and multiple funding sources scenario (e.g. combined municipal, provincial, grants, etc. and self-generated revenue)
• Bachelor's degree in finance, commerce, accounting, or a related field; CPA, CFA, preferred.
• MBA an asset
• 10+ years' experience in developing and leading enterprise-wide financial strategic initiatives and leading internal and external stakeholder relationship and large-scale procurement and project management
• Knowledge of Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB), CPA Not-for-Profit Organization accounting guidelines, Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) Conservation Authority Act, municipal financial reporting and budget practices, and Municipal Act
• Exceptional leadership, coaching and mentoring skills with success in leveraging positive leadership and engagement to inspire others to achieve and exceed key performance metrics
• Empathetic leader that embraces diversity, inclusivity, and respect at all times
• Superior communication skills including executive presence, delivering presentations to board members, other key stakeholders
• The ability to translate financial strategy into action plan and results.
• Ability to establish and drive financial literacy to other leaders and departments in the organization
• Establish internal customer service of excellence standard and drive a culture of delivering on results and performance culture
• Experience leading enterprise-wide risk and compliance mitigation strategies
• Experience in providing leadership on large procurement projects, legal matters related to land acquisition, quarry and land management
• Excellent judgement and decision-making with the ability to consider multiple, alternative options and apply judgement in selecting the best outcome with an impact on the full organization
• Ability to work under rapidly changing, constant, tight, and often conflicting deadlines
• Experience in public administration
• Proven track record inspiring a positive work culture and engaged workforce with a priority on employee safety, health, and well-being
• Exposure to applicable legislation an asset, (e.g. Conservation Authorities Act, Municipal Act)
• Successful candidate will be required to provide a Criminal Record Check (CRC)
• A valid Ontario Drivers Licence, minimum Class "G", with a satisfactory Driver's Abstract is required

Your Reward

• Salary Range starting at $188,375
• You will work in an inspiring setting with views of the Niagara Escarpment and no traffic lights for several miles
• You will lead a creative, talented and solutions-focused team
• You will lead an organization that provides flexible work arrangements and places tremendous value on professional development and wellness of its employees
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Participation in the OMERS defined benefit pension plan, with generous employer-matching
• Free access to Conservation Ontario parks
• Season passes and lift tickets for the Glen Eden ski and snowboard area
• Discounts on Conservation Halton services, food and merchandise

Our Purpose

Protect people from natural hazards, conserve nature and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and education across our watershed.

Our Ambition

A green, resilient, connected tomorrow.

Our Core Values

Diversity and Inclusion - We endeavor to understand, accept and appreciate the value of our differences and encourage authenticity.

Learning and Innovation - We embrace the need for continuous improvement, the opportunity to learn from others and the benefits of sharing knowledge.

Person-Centered Service - We make people a priority through customer-centred engagement, predictive problem-solving and high-quality service.

Collaboration - We seek out and trust in the skills, expertise and experience of others in order to achieve our common ambition.

Sustainability - We consider the environmental impact of everything we do and always keep future generations in mind when making decisions.

Integrity - We make decisions with accountability, transparency and a strong sense of personal responsibility for our choices and actions.

Resilience - We are positive and proud of our ability to quickly and effectively respond to change.

To Apply

Please email your application to careers@hrca.on.ca by January 10, 2025

Your application should include:

1. Your resume and cover letter in one pdf document
2. Reference your name and the position title in the subject line
3. In the body of your email, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity

We thank all applicants for their interest however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Conservation Halton will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Personal information provided is collected under the authority of The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.