Director, Finance

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Job Title:

Director of Finance

Position reports to:

Chief Executive Officer

Team:

Finance

Status:

Full-Time

Position Purpose Summary

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and serving as a member of Holstein Canada’s leadership team, the Director of Finance provides strategic financial leadership, insight and stewardship to support informed decision-making and the long-term financial sustainability of the organization.

The Director is the senior financial advisor to the CEO, leadership team and Board of Directors. The role goes beyond reporting financial results: it anticipates risks and opportunities, challenges assumptions, develops practical options and recommends action. Working closely with leaders across the organization, the Director strengthens financial understanding, accountability and business performance.

The Director leads financial planning and analysis, management and Board reporting, financial operations, risk management, systems improvement and the development of the Finance team. The role balances rigorous financial stewardship with forward-looking analysis and responsive business partnership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior financial advisor to the CEO, leadership team and Board of Directors, providing clear analysis, recommendations and an independent financial perspective.
• Partner with departmental leaders to understand operational priorities, financial performance and business challenges and to strengthen financial accountability across the organization.
• Challenge assumptions constructively and translate complex financial information into practical business insights and recommended actions.
• Identify emerging financial risks and opportunities, evaluate their potential impact and bring forward timely, solution-oriented recommendations.
• Support organizational strategy, major business decisions and change initiatives through financial modelling, scenario analysis and commercial insight.
• Lead the annual operating and capital budgeting process and ensure budgets are realistic, aligned with organizational priorities and supported by clear assumptions.
• Develop and maintain reliable rolling forecasts and short- and long-term financial scenarios that allow the organization to anticipate results and respond proactively.
• Monitor actual performance against budget and forecast, investigate material variances and work with leaders to identify and implement corrective action.
• Improve understanding of the full cost, pricing, margin and financial contribution of Holstein Canada’s programs, products and services.
• Develop financial models and business cases for new initiatives, investments, partnerships, contracts and service changes, including cost-benefit and return-on-investment analysis.
• Develop clear, concise and decision-focused financial reporting, KPIs and dashboards for the CEO, leadership team, Audit, Risk Management & Finance Committee and Board of Directors.
• Prepare and present annual budgets, forecasts, financial results and recommendations in a manner that is understandable and actionable for non-financial audiences.
• Serve as the primary financial resource to the Audit, Risk Management & Finance Committee and support Board oversight of financial sustainability, reserves, investments and organizational risk.
• Maintain overall accountability for the accuracy, integrity and timeliness of financial records, statements and internal and external reporting.
• Ensure effective accounting operations, financial policies, internal controls, audit processes and compliance with applicable accounting, taxation, pension and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee cash flow, banking, treasury activities, financing arrangements, investments, reserves, insurance and related financial risk-management activities.
• Lead, coach and develop the Finance team, establishing clear roles, priorities, delegation and accountability and building the team’s analytical and business-partnership capability.
• Continuously improve financial systems, processes, automation and data availability in partnership with the Director, Innovation & Systems.
• Contribute actively as a member of Holstein Canada’s leadership team and model collaboration, accountability, sound judgement and continuous improvement.

Skills and Qualifications

Experience, Skills, and Abilities

• CPA designation is required.
• Post-secondary education in finance, accounting, business or a related discipline.
• Progressive financial leadership experience, ideally at a senior Controller, Director of Finance or comparable level.
• Demonstrated strength in financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, modelling and scenario development.
• A track record of moving beyond reporting results to identify root causes, develop options and recommend practical corrective action.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, accounting standards, audit, internal controls, treasury and financial risk management.
• Experience developing business cases and evaluating pricing, margins, costs, contracts, investments and returns.
• Experience presenting financial information, risks and recommendations to senior leaders, Boards and/or Finance Committees.
• Strong business and commercial acumen, with the ability to connect financial information to operational and strategic decisions.
• Experience leading and developing a Finance team and improving financial systems, processes and management reporting.
• Advanced proficiency with financial systems, Microsoft Excel and business intelligence/reporting tools.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to make complex financial information understandable and actionable for non-financial audiences.
• Experience in agriculture, a member-based organization, a not-for-profit environment or a national organization is an asset.
• The ability to work in both French and English is an asset.

Competencies

Strategic and Analytical Thinking

• Takes a forward-looking view and connects financial performance to organizational strategy, operations and long-term sustainability.
• Analyzes complex information, identifies root causes and translates findings into clear options, recommendations and action.
• Anticipates risks and opportunities and engages the right stakeholders before issues become urgent.

Business Partnership and Influence

• Builds trusted relationships while maintaining an independent financial perspective and appropriate financial discipline.
• Asks thoughtful questions, challenges assumptions constructively and influences decisions through sound evidence and judgement.
• Builds financial understanding and accountability among leaders across the organization.

Accountability and Results Orientation

• Takes ownership for the quality, accuracy and usefulness of financial information and follows issues through to resolution.
• Brings difficult information forward early, accompanied by practical options and a recommended course of action.
• Balances strategic thinking with disciplined execution, competing priorities and critical deadlines.

Communication and Collaboration

• Communicates complex financial information clearly, concisely and confidently to financial and non-financial audiences.
• Listens actively, works collaboratively across functions and maintains productive relationships through differing perspectives.
• Demonstrates sound judgement, discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive information.

Leadership and Continuous Improvement

• Creates clarity, accountability and development opportunities for the Finance team.
• Builds team capability, delegates effectively and encourages thoughtful analysis and constructive challenge.
• Looks for practical ways to improve processes, systems, reporting and the value Finance provides to the organization.
• Is adaptable and effective in a fast-paced, bilingual national organization.

*This is a general description and should not be construed as all inclusive.

Application: Process and Contact Information

How to Apply

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter. Please submit your application in confidence to Olivia Galati, at ogalati@bedfordgroup.com.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those whose qualifications closely align with the requirements of this position will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity

Holstein Canada is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion and to providing an accessible recruitment process for all applicants.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2019, upon request, accommodation will be provided by Bedford and Holstein Canada through the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process for applicants with disabilities. Please submit your request to Olivia Galati: ogalati@bedfordgroup.com.