Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - Make Space

Forum Asset Management; Toronto; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment firm focused on real estate and asset management seeks a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to drive financial strategy and oversee capital raising efforts. This role is crucial for supporting aggressive growth and acquisition strategies while governing financial compliance and investor relations. Ideal candidates will bring extensive experience in finance, with strong strategic and operational skills.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive finance experience in capital raising and fund operations.
• Experience with OM-based funds and institutional investors preferred.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement financial strategy for Make Space.
• Oversee all financial reporting and compliance.
• Lead equity and debt fundraising efforts.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Decision Making

Problem-Solving

Leadership

Communication

Networking and Relationship Building

Education

CPA/CA

MBA

CFA

Job description

Make Space - Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Reports To -Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Direct Reports – Associate Vice President or Vice President, Finance

Location: Vancouver OR Toronto

Address: 201-26 Fourth Street New Westminster, BC V3L 5M4

Overview of Forum:

Join us in deliveringExtraordinary Outcomesthrough investment.

Forum is an investor, developer and asset manager operating across North America for over 28 years, focusing on real estate, private equity and infrastructure, with a strategic concentration in housing.

Our AUM exceeds $3 billion. We are committed to sustainability, responsible investing and creating value that benefits our stakeholders and the communities in which we invest, what we call our Extraordinary Outcomes.

In 2024, Forum completed thelargest real estate transaction in Canadawith theAlignvest acquisition,making us thelargest owner of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in Canada through our $2.5B open ended Real Estate Income and Impact Fund (REIIF).Ournational development pipeline now exceeds $3.5 billion,positioning Forum as thelargest developer of PBSA in Canada, operating from coast to coast.

The Forum team is adaptable, agile, and dynamic, committed to sustainable and responsible investing. Our people bring diverse cultural backgrounds and professional experiences, fostering innovation and thought leadership.We uphold integrity, trust, and transparency as core values, knowing that to achieveExtraordinary Outcomes,we need to support and develop anExtraordinary team.

Self Storage Platform:

Forum Make Space (FMS) is Forum's dedicated self-storage platform, launched through the creation of a $200 million open-end fund focused on developing and acquiring institutional-quality self-storage facilities across Canada. Backed by strong investor demand and Forum’s proven real estate expertise, FMS targets high-growth markets with compelling demographic and economic fundamentals. The platform is built on a vertically integrated model, enabling efficient development, management, and operations. FMS is poised to become a market leader in the rapidly growing self-storage sector.

About Make Space:

Make Space is a fast-growing Canadian storage solutions provider present in six provinces, aiming for nationwide coverage. Our investment funds currently encompass over 55+ properties, and we are actively acquiring fixed assets and developing new sites. Our team oversees traditional and portable storage facilities, real estate investments, and ongoing capital projects. As we continue to grow exponentially, we are looking for an experienced financial leader to strategically steer our financial operations, investment management, and capital market activities.

Role Overview:

Reporting to and partnering with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will play a critical role in developing and implementing the financial strategy of Make Space Group of Companies. The CFO will be responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the company, including financial planning and analysis, capital raising, investor relations, corporate governance, reporting for Offering Memoranda (OM), and compliance. This role is critical to supporting our executive team in executing Make Space’s aggressive growth and acquisition strategy. The CFO will oversee all fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities for the organization in conjunction with the Board of Directors and the Board's Finance, Audit, and Investment Committees.

Our ideal candidate will possess progressive experience in legal matters, deal analysis and negotiations, maintaining investor relationships, ensuring partnership compliance, and navigating private and institutional financing.

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Leadership
• Networking and Relationship Building
• Planning and Organization
• Problem-Solving
• Resource and Fiscal Management
• Strategic Thinking

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and board to drive long-term strategy and enterprise value.
• Working with the VP of Finance, ensuring the reporting is delivered punctually and accurately.
• Support and lead financial planning across business units, including acquisitions and integrations.

Capital Markets & Fund Oversight

• Lead equity and debt fundraising efforts; maintain relationships with lenders and investors.
• Manage Offering Memorandum (OM) compliance, updates, and fund documentation.
• Oversee LP reporting, capital calls, and investment return tracking.

Investor Relations

• Manage investor reporting, communications, and meetings.
• Represent Make Space in financial discussions with current and prospective investors.

Governance & Financial Control

• Own the financial reporting, compliance, and risk management functions.
• Ensure systems, internal controls, and audit processes are scalable and efficient.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance with securities regulators and tax authorities.
• Lead audit processes and internal controls.
• Oversee accounting, tax planning, cash management, and budgeting.

Team Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing finance and investor relations team.
• Foster cross-training and succession planning to reduce single points of failure.

Job Duties

• Create, coordinate, and evaluate the company's financial programs and supporting information systems, including budgeting, tax planning, and asset conservation.
• Approve and coordinate changes and improvements in automated financial and management information systems for the company.
• Ensure compliance with local, provincial, and federal budgetary reporting requirements.
• Oversee and review the preparation of financial statements, financial reports, special analyses, and information reports.
• Establish and maintain appropriate internal control safeguards.
• Interact with other managers to provide consultative support to planning initiatives through financial and management information analyses, reports, and recommendations.
• Assist in obtaining the necessary licenses and insurance required to start a business.
• Analyze cash flow, cost controls, and expenses to guide business leaders. Analyze financial statements to pinpoint potential weak areas.
• Establish and implement short- and long-range departmental goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures.
• Assess organizational performance against both the annual budget and Make Space's long-term strategy.
• Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to the CEO and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations.
• Engage the Board's finance, audit, and investment committees around issues, trends, and changes in the operating model(s) and operational delivery.
• Assist in establishing yearly objectives and meeting agendas and selecting and engaging outside consultants (auditors, investment advisors).
• Oversee long-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with Make Space's strategic plan.
• Partner with the IT team to procure specialized finance IT systems that meet the needs of the organization.
• Manage cash flow and forecasting.
• Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism that includes a minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs.
• Optimize the handling of banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions.
• Oversee budgeting and the implementation of budgets to monitor progress and present financial metrics internally and externally.
• Serve on planning and policy-making committees.
• Oversee financial management of foreign operations, including developing financial and budget policies and procedures.
• Represent the company externally to media, government agencies, funding agencies, and the general public.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate department staff.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary.

Qualifications:

• CPA/CA required; CFA or MBA an asset.
• 10+ years of progressive finance experience, including capital raising and fund operations.
• Experience with OM-based funds, real estate portfolios, or institutional investors is preferred.
• Skilled in strategy execution, financial storytelling, and operational problem-solving.
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to motivate teams to produce quality materials within tight timeframes and simultaneously manage several projects.
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office productivity suite.
• Travel required.
• Ability to attend and conduct presentations.

At Forum and Make Space, we encourage diversity. We are committed to an inclusive workplace that reflects our belief that diversity is central to building a high-performing team. Forum is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices. Should you require an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment process, please let the recruitment team know [e-mail].