Director Financial Management & Planning/Deputy Treasurer

Reporting to the Commissioner Corporate Services/Treasurer, the Director Financial Management & Planning/Deputy Treasurer is responsible for providing management and strategic direction for a fiscally sound government organization in all areas of corporate finance including budgets, reporting, accounting, treasury and debt management and financial advisory services for all departments. This role also serves as Deputy Treasurer for the Region.

• Post-secondary degree in Accounting, Commerce or Business or related discipline.
• Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Business or related field is preferred.

• 10 years’ progressive experience in a Senior Finance leadership role.
• 10 years’ experience operating at a Director or Senior Finance leadership level with experience working as a Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer in a municipal government setting is preferred.
• Professional Accounting designation.

• In consultation with the Treasurer, develops corporate annual strategy and operations plans to ensure timely and accurate completion, communication preparation presentation and reporting of budgets , and financial planning.
• Develops processes for monthly/quarterly reporting of budget to actual results and communication strategies with department heads to provide variance analysis and accountability.
• Develops, manages and administers annual and multi-year Capital and Operating budgets for the division, ensuring support of Council’s objectives, financial transparency and accountability, budget adherence, identifying and explaining variances and financial reporting is effectively managed in compliance with corporate financial policies. Authorize, and Administer the acquisition of goods and services for the operating unit and direct reports in accordance with the procurement policy and procedures.
• Ensures the on-going research, analysis, development, implementation and reporting of tax policies and rate revenue decisions and strategies.
• Ensures effective external audit processes, establishing an annual audit plan for the Region and related organizations in collaboration with external auditors for financial statements and special purpose audits.
• Provides background information and support to the Treasurer, including assumption of duties of Treasurer, as required.
• Ensures sound investment practices, providing portfolio reviews and continuously seeking out the soundest investment opportunities for the Region.
• Ensures sound debt management practices and strategies that support long term financial strategies without compromise to credit rating.
• Provides support to local area municipalities to mitigate tax write-offs related to assessment at risk with the Assessment Review Board.

• Establishes and maintains robust accounting processes which will ensure compliance, timely execution and control of all financial transactions.

• Facilitates consultation and approval processes with Senior Leadership team and Council.
• Engages key stakeholders such as Police, Agencies, Boards, Commissions, Municipalities and Niagara residents, as required.
• Consults with and facilitates stakeholder meetings (property owners, local area municipalities, and Niagara Region Council and Committees) to better understand needs, communicate information and respond to queries.

Accountable for medium to long range people resource planning for the division, determining ideal organizational structures, identifying desirable role and skill mix requirements and ensuring ongoing work quality and deliverability of results. (15% of time)

• Working through their leadership team, enables results with the organization’s human capital strategy to foster employee engagement.
• Oversees employee performance, career development, and succession planning activities, ensuring open and transparent metrics and processes are developed and implemented and opportunities are created to facilitate employee growth and development.
• Ensures focus is service excellence, effective communication between leaders and employees, transparency, innovation, and data integrity and work flow integration.
• Ensures staff is connected to corporate priorities and direction and has the information and resources to make successful plans and decisions.
• Helps to break down barriers to employee success, ensuring collaboration and cooperation with other Divisions and Departments
• Ensures all people related issues, including recruitment, grievances and labour relations issues, are aligned to HR and Corporate standards and practices.
• Ensures Occupational Health & Safety policies, programs and practices are implemented, maintained and integrated into all aspects of planning and decision-making within the operating unit.
• Ensures the competency and performance of the Internal Responsibility System within their department, as outlined in the Niagara Region’s Health and Safety Policy is achieved and maintained.

Develops, manages and administers annual and multi-year Capital and Operating budgets for the division, ensuring support of Council’s objectives, financial transparency and accountability, budget adherence, identifying and explaining variances and financial reporting is effectively managed in compliance with corporate financial policies. Authorize, and Administer the acquisition of goods and services for the operating unit and direct reports in accordance with the procurement policy and procedures. (10% of time)

Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned or required.

• In accordance with the Corporate Criminal Record Check Policy, the position requires the incumbent to undergo a Criminal Records Check and submit a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate.
• Must maintain ability to travel in a timely manner to other offices, work locations or sites as authorized by the Corporation for business reasons.
• May be required to support emergency operations under the incident management structure, at the direction of the Emergency Operations Centre Director.
• Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values.