Chief Financial Officer (Canada)

Ismaili Institutions of Canada; Toronto; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto seeks a seasoned Chief Financial Officer to lead financial strategy, governance and risk for a global cultural nonprofit. You will oversee budgeting, audits, treasury and reporting, while advising the CEO, senior leadership and Board on financial sustainability and strategic initiatives.

The ideal candidate brings a track record of strategic financial leadership in nonprofit or arts organizations, with strong collaboration across departments and external partners.

Qualifications

• MBA or graduate degree in business/finance.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience, including senior financial leadership.
• Proven expertise in financial leadership, strategic planning, risk management and governance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as strategic advisor to the Director/CEO, SLT and Board of Directors.
• Lead budgeting, multi-year forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Oversee treasury, liquidity, banking and financing arrangements.
• Ensure tax-exempt status and regulatory compliance for the nonprofit museum.
• Partner with development for fundraising and grant reporting.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial reporting

Board liaison

Risk management

Nonprofit governance

Education

MBA or graduate degree in business/finance

Tools

ERP software

Job description

The Aga Khan Museum connects cultures and communities through the arts. The Museum's mission is to spark wonder, curiosity, and understanding of Muslim cultures and their connection with other cultures through the arts

The Toronto-based Museum promotes pluralism through art, storytelling, and enlightened encounters across cultures. Using traditional and contemporary art as well as performing arts as a force for positive change, the Museum's vision is to impact lives and contribute to more inclusive and peaceful societies. The Museum acts as a global learning hub, playing a unique and pivotal role in building connections between people and communities locally, nationally, and internationally.

Purpose of Position

Reporting to the Director & Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) responsible for the financial sustainability, stewardship, risk management and financial governance of the organization, while serving as a strategic advisor to the Director & CEO, Board of Directors, and SLT. The CFO also provides financial and strategic oversight of the Museum's commercial activities.

Leadership Profile

The ideal candidate is a strategic and financially sophisticated executive who combines disciplined stewardship with sound commercial judgment. They are collaborative, analytical and results-oriented, with exceptional integrity, sound judgement and the ability to communicate complex financial matters clearly. They build strong relationships with the internal senior leaders and external partners and are capable of leading through change and complexity while advancing the Museum's mission.

Ultimately, the CFO is responsible for safeguarding the organization's financial health and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Director & CEO, SLT, and Board of Directors.
• Serve as the principal management liaison with the Board, Finance & Audit Committee, and the Investment Committee by preparing and presenting financial information and recommendations, supporting Committee mandates, agendas and decision-making, advising the Board on significant financial risks and ensuring appropriate follow-up on Board and Committee decisions.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Build, develop and lead high-performing finance, procurement, and commercial teams with appropriate capabilities, succession, accountability and service orientation.
• Develop and maintain a long-term financial sustainability framework, including scenarios focused on funding, operating costs, reserves, liquidity and capital requirements aligned with the organizational strategy of the Museum.
• Lead the annual budgeting, multi-year financial planning, forecasting, management reporting and financial performance analysis processes, ensuring that financial resources are aligned with the Museum's strategic priorities.
• Lead the Museum's preparation for and coordination of the annual external financial statement audit, serving as the senior management liaison with the external auditors and ensuring the timely resolution and communication of significant audit matters, findings and recommendations.
• Partner with the Development team to support fundraising and grant objectives through sound financial planning, proposal development and reporting, and ensure appropriate accounting and stewardship of restricted funds, grants, funding agreements and donor-designated resources.
• Identify opportunities to enhance revenue, control costs, and improve Museum performance.

Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Accountable for the integrity and timeliness of the Museum's financial statements, management and Board reporting, accounting practices, internal controls, external audit and statutory and regulatory reporting.
• Oversee treasury, liquidity, banking and financing arrangements, reserve strategy, investment governance and performance, and the financial planning and oversight of major capital requirements and projects.
• Ensures the Museum maintains its tax-exempt charitable status and meets all related tax compliance requirements, including tax reporting, disbursement quotas, and dealings with the CRA.
• Lead the Museum's enterprise risk management framework and consolidated risk reporting, ensuring that significant financial, operational, insurance, legal, contractual, technology and other organizational risks have appropriate ownership, assessment and mitigation plans.
• Coordinate the integration of enterprise risk management with business continuity planning and reporting to the Board and relevant Committees.
• Provide executive oversight of procurement, ensuring appropriate policies, competitive practices, delegated authorities, contract controls and value for money.

Commercial Activities

• Provide financial and strategic oversight of the Museum's commercial activities.
• Work with the responsible operational leaders to establish and monitor appropriate revenue, margin and performance targets and ensure effective financial controls and reporting.
• Evaluate significant new commercial opportunities for financial viability, organizational capacity, risk and alignment with the Museum's mission and strategic priorities.
• Establish and monitor commercial performance targets.

Qualifications & Experience

• MBA or graduate degree in business, finance, or a related field is an asset.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience, including at least five years in a senior financial leadership or executive role.
• Proven expertise in financial leadership, strategic planning, organizational performance, risk management, and governance.
• Experience providing financial and strategic oversight of commercial activities.
• Experience presenting to Boards and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Nonprofit and/or charitable sector experience in arts, culture, hospitality, tourism, entertainment, education, or other mission-driven organizations preferred.

The Museum thanks all those who apply; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please note that the Museum is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodations are available under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act for applicants invited to an interview.

The Museum encourages applications by individuals identifying as Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, persons with disabilities, women, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, members of visible minorities and/or anyone belonging to equity-deserving groups.