Director, Business Services

Ipac; Golden Horseshoe; On-site; CAD 161,000 - 201,000; Full time

Job summary

Odgers is seeking a strategic leader for the role of Director, Business Services within the Social Services Department of The Regional Municipality of Durham. Reporting to the Commissioner, the Director leads business affairs, financial management, administrative services and emergency social services for a workforce of 79 staff across 60+ programs, with a budget over $700 million.

The role requires a strong foundation in public sector financial management, with a degree in Business Admin/Public

Job description

TheRegional Municipality of Durham is one of the fastest-growing jurisdictions inOntario, currently serving a population exceeding 800,000 residents andprojected to reach approximately 1.3 million by 2051. Spanning approximately2,400 square km in geography, the Region includes a diverse mix of urban,suburban, and rural communities. Growth in the Region is guided through theRegional Official Plan (Envision Durham) and the 2025–2035 Strategic Plan,which focuses on connected communities, environmental sustainability, resilienteconomies, and strong relationships.

TheRegion is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader forthe role of Director, Business Services within the Social Services Department.Reporting to the Commissioner of Social Services, the Director providesexecutive leadership for the department’s business affairs, financialmanagement, administrative services, and emergency social services functions,overseeing a workforce of 79 staff and supporting more than 60 program areas.Responsible for a departmental budget exceeding $700 million and fundingrelationships with multiple provincial and federal ministries, the Directorplays a critical role in long-term financial planning, business strategy,budget modernization, internal controls, and service sustainability. Theposition serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, Council, andcommunity stakeholders on complex financial, operational, and policy mattersthat impact vulnerable populations across the Region. In addition, the Directorleads emergency social services planning and response, supports majorinitiatives in affordable housing, childcare, homelessness, communityinvestment, and service system manager programs, and ensures the effectiveadministration of significant funding, contract, and payment programs. As apeople-centered leader, the successful candidate will foster a culture ofaccountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement whilebuilding organizational capacity to advance community well-being, socialinclusion, and service excellence.

Theideal candidate is an accomplished and collaborative leader with a strongfoundation in public sector financial management, business administration, andstrategic planning. Holding a university degree in Business Administration,Public Administration, Commerce, Economics, or a related discipline, thesuccessful candidate brings at least 10 years of progressive leadershipexperience, including senior management responsibility in complex,multi-stakeholder environments. Experience leading large-scale budgeting,financial planning, business operations, policy development, risk management,and organizational transformation is essential, along with a demonstratedability to provide strategic advice to executive leadership, elected officials,and community partners. The successful candidate is an exceptional communicatorand relationship builder with expertise in managing diverse teams, fosteringaccountability, and driving continuous improvement. Knowledge of municipalgovernance, budget processes, internal controls, emergency management,legislative frameworks, and service delivery within a public sector environmentwill be key to success. A Master's degree in Business Administration, PublicAdministration, or a related field, a CPA designation, and training inDiversity, Equity and Inclusion are considered strong assets.

Expected CompensationRange: $160,824to $201,030 CAD.

Diversity, Equity,and Inclusion

Odgers is an equal opportunity employer. Inaccordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincialaccessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by bothOdgers and Durham Region throughout therecruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants withdisabilities.

Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to betterunderstand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible forour searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment andaccess our Self-Declaration Form.