Chief Financial Officer

Job No: CITYEX0030

Location: Powell River

Employment Status: Full Time

No. of Vacancies: 1

Closing Date: 15 Mar 2018 AEST

NOTE: This competition will remain open until filled.  Applications will be considered as they are received. 

Located on the Upper Sunshine Coast (www.powellriver.info), a 20 minute flight from Vancouver, the City of Powell River is a vibrant progressive community of approximately 13,000 with access to Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the Lower Sunshine Coast. Powell River enjoys an extensive variety of year round outdoor recreational activities and festivals calendar, excellent public, private, and French language schools, a multi-purpose recreational complex, golf course, curling rink, hospital, and an active arts community. It offers a beautiful natural environment and highly affordable housing. We are also a community in transition, building a rewarding and diverse future for our citizens. In addition to a superb location, this exempt position offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. 

The City is seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and strategically minded professional to fill the position of Chief Financial Officer - a collaborative, results-oriented and forward-looking executive who has the expertise to work with the CAO and senior management team to implement Council’s vision and plans for the community.

The CFO will provide financial advice to Council through the CAO on major decisions, integrating current business modeling, risk identification, and innovative approaches to both long term planning and to sustainable and effective service delivery.  

This individual will build relationships with internal and external partners and service providers to achieve Council’s goals and objectives.  By refining financial information systems to strategically enable sound business decisions, the CFO will provide transparent reporting on performance based benchmarks and on evidence of financial sustainability to an engaged citizenry.

This position will fulfil the statutory duties of Financial Officer in accordance with the BC Community Charter. 

The ideal candidate will have:

• A professional financial designation of CPA
• Degree in Business or Finance
• Ten or more years of progressive experience in financial management
• Local Government experience
• Excellent financial analysis, strategic planning, fiscal and project management skills
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Well developed organizational and time management skills
• An ability to lead and collaborate with inter-disciplinary teams to meet business challenges and create opportunities
• Advanced interpersonal and coaching/influencing skills
• Knowledge of Canadian PSAB, and the BC Community Charter pertaining to financial administration, accounting, reporting and budgeting

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:   Chief Financial Officer

DEPARTMENT:   Financial Services Department

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for discharging those responsibilities assigned to the Financial Officer as outlined in the BC Community Charter. As part of the senior management team for the City, promotes strategic thought and action throughout the organization to implement the vision and service priorities of Council. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:  Chief Administrative Officer

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Manager of Accounting Services, Manager of Economic Development, Manager of Information Technology, Department Staff

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS: 

1. Discharges the responsibilities of Financial Officer as defined in the BC Community Charter

2. Recommends policies, programs and financial objectives which reflect the vision and strategic priorities of Council to secure the financial sustainability of City infrastructure and services. Contributes to Council's strategic planning process as directed by the Chief Administrative Officer. In collaboration with the senior management team, establishes long and short-term revenue generation plans, and cost-effective delivery solutions for future works and services

3. Analyzes financial matters and identifies emerging trends, strategic opportunities and business challenges. Reports and provides advice and answers to enquiries from the Chief Administrative Officer, Council, senior management, the public and Committees of Council as required

4. Manages the City’s development corporations and associated businesses and partnerships

5. Leads the Financial Services Department and coordinates the resources necessary to carry out programs and policies approved by Council and as directed by the Chief Administrative Officer to ensure their effective implementation

6. Leads the preparation of annual and long-term operating and capital budgets. Provides assistance to other Directors as requested and assists other management staff and the CAO in the compilation and monitoring of their budgets

7. Ensures that the City’s cash assets are invested wisely and strategically

8. Collaborates with Directors and Managers of other departments to ensure coordinated effort and effective integration with this department in the provision of services, both internally and to the public

9. Directs the provision of the City’s support services including insurance, administration of employee benefit plans, purchasing, risk management, audit, accounting, tax and treasury, and management information systems

10. Coordinates the administration of all bylaws under the authority of the department

11. Monitors, controls and approves departmental spending within the approved budget for the Financial Services Department

12. Holds regular management and staff meetings. Ensures that all staff is regularly and fully informed as to matters impacting this department

13. Provides leadership and direction to the Managers of Accounting Services, Economic Development and Information Technology in the selection, training, development and motivation of staff. Authorizes hiring and termination as necessary and represents the department in employee and labour relations matters. Conducts annual appraisals and approves the overtime and vacation requests of direct reports

14. Ensures that safety procedures and standards are followed by all staff throughout the department

**ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ON-LINE**

PLEASE NOTE:  

• This competition will remain open until filled.  
• Proof of professional designation and undergraduate degree should be included in your application submission.
• Each applicant must use an email address unique to them. 
• You must upload a cover letter and a resumé as two separate documents. All other supporting documentation must be combined in a third document. 
• All documents must be in PDF or Word format.

If you encounter technical difficulties, switching to a different internet browser may resolve them.  If not, please call City Hall at (604) 485-6291 and ask for the Deputy City Clerk.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those applicants selected for interview will be acknowledged. The City of Powell River is an equal opportunity employer.