Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Birds Canada

crawfordconnect; Canada; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary ($120,000 – $140,000)

5% RRSP matching after one year

4 weeks of vacation per year

Extensive employer-paid benefits after 3 months

Job summary

A leading non-profit search firm is assisting an organization in Canada that focuses on bird conservation in their search for a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The CFO will guide financial strategies, overseeing budgeting, compliance, and audits, while leading a dedicated finance team. Candidates should have over 7 years of relevant experience and strong communication skills to convey financial insights to varied audiences. A competitive salary package is offered, including professional development opportunities and extensive health benefits.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years’ experience in a financial role within a charity.
• Strong track record with funding streams and managing financial functions.
• Proven ability to communicate financial metrics clearly to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial stewardship including reporting, budgeting, and risk management.
• Lead internal finance staff and manage outsourced financial services.
• Advise on investments and ensure compliance and audits.

Skills

Financial reporting

Change management

Communications

Leadership in finance

Accounting software proficiency

Analytical skills

Education

University degree in business/accounting or MBA

Chartered Professional Accountant – CPA

Tools

Financial Edge

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Join to apply for the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Birds Canada role at crawfordconnect

Birds Canadais a national organization dedicated to bird conservation.

Every day, our caring donors, passionate staff, and thousands of outstanding volunteers are taking action to help us better understand, appreciate, and conserve birds and their habitats. Together, we are Canada’s voice for birds.

A $15 million non-profit, charitable organization, Birds Canada was built on the enthusiastic contributions of thousands of caring members and volunteers. Data (observations) collected by volunteers, alongside targeted research projects, are used to identify significant bird population changes and help direct conservation planning.

Our national headquarters is located in Port Rowan, Ontario, connected to the historic Long Point Bird Observatory.

Birds Canada works to conserve birds through sound science, on-the-ground actions, innovative partnerships, public engagement, and science-based advocacy. We believe the most effective conservation results arise from a multifaceted approach which addresses the needs of habitats, people, and species.

Birds Canada is proud of its exceptionally dedicated and mission-driven team.Staff consistently report high levels of job satisfaction, collegiality, and alignment with the organization’s values.Many team members have been with the organization for many years, contributing deep expertise, continuity, and a strong culture of collaboration.For the CFO, this means joining a stable, motivated workforce that values transparency, partnership, and shared success.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the CFO is responsible for the financial stewardship of Birds Canada. This includes financial reporting, compliance, budgeting and forecasting, investment and asset management, overseeing audits, risk management, and oversight of payroll and accounts payable/ receivable. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the CFO leads the internal finance staff and manages key outsourced financial services.

Birds Canada is seeking to meet financial strategists who bring regional and programmatic leadership and the following:

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• 7-10 years’ related experience with an understanding and familiarity with different funding streams
• A proven track record in a registered charity
• Proven ability and enthusiasm for leading staff responsible for payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and related financial functions, with a proven track record of modernizing processes and guiding successful change implementation across an organization
• Demonstrated strength in communications. Ability to adapt to audiences and communicate key financial metrics and decisions to program staff and the public, including to those without a finance background
• Experience in a leadership role as an auditor and/or auditee
• Demonstrated experience and high comfort level with accounting software suites, in particular cloud-based in a non-profit
• Extensive experience in financial reporting, processes, and FP&A, with a strong track record of turning numbers into actionable insight
• Experience with Financial Edge / Raiser’s Edge (Blackbaud) would be an asset.

ASSETS

• Experience overseeing finances for international programs and/or Global Affairs Canada-funded projects would be a strong asset
• Experience working with investment advisors would be an asset
• English mandatory, Spanish would be an asset

EDUCATION

• A related University degree in business/accounting or MBA
• Chartered Professional Accountant – CPA (CA, CGA CMA) designation

WHAT BIRDS CANADA OFFERS IN RETURN

• Competitive salary ($120,000 – $140,000)
• A 5% RRSP matching after one year
• Opportunities for Professional Development

Non-Salary Benefits include:

• 4 weeks/20 days of vacation per year to start
• 3 additional paid days of vacation between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
• 12 Personal Health Days per year
• Extensive primarily employer-paid benefits available after 3 months including extended Health and Dental Coverage, Basic Group Life Insurance, Vision, ADD&D, Short and Long Term Disability Coverage, and Group Out-of-Province Travel Insurance and Employer/Family Assistance Program

Birds Canada is committed to improving levels of diversity among its volunteers, membership, staff, and board to reflect the diversity of Canada. In an effort to do so, it is actively tracking and seeking to improve its ability to reach all candidates with job advertisements. Applicants belonging to racialized groups; who identify as Indigenous, LGBTQ+; or who have differing abilities are therefore invited to self-identify in their cover letter.

APPLICATION DETAILS

This search is being conducted on behalf of Birds Canada by crawfordconnect, a search firm specializing in recruiting non-profit and charitable professionals for Canada’s non-profit sector.

Qualified applicants are invited to email any questions and their resume and letter of interest directly to both Senior Search Consultants, Ann Armstrong at [e-mail] and Helmut Hager at [e-mail].

Although the deadline for applications is January 26, 2026, early application submissions are encouraged.

We thank all applicants for applying; however, only qualified candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

If someone you know may be interested in this position, feel free to forward this information - we’d be pleased to contact them.