Director, Finance

BioTalent Canada; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotechnology organization in Ottawa is seeking a Director of Finance to lead financial strategy and ensure compliance. The role involves overseeing financial operations, managing risks, and collaborating with teams to support organizational growth. Ideal candidates will have extensive financial experience, leadership qualities, and a commitment to fostering inclusion and collaboration. This position offers a competitive rewards package in a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

Three weeks of vacation

Two paid volunteer days

Birthday day off with pay

Contributions to a Retirement Savings Plan

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of progressive financial experience, including 3-5 years in a management capacity.
• Proven team player with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Demonstrated experience in not-for-profit financial management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, and reporting.
• Manage all aspects of corporate fiscal reporting and government compliance.
• Lead and mentor the finance team, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Financial software proficiency

Education

Post-Secondary education in accounting, finance, or business

Tools

SAGE 50

Quickbooks

MS Office Suite

Job description

BioTalentCanada is the HR partner for Canada’s biotechnology industry. Our success relies on the power of our relationships – our team has built a dynamic network of associations, academic institutions, service providers, and employers doing incredible, leading-edge work to drive the Canadian biotechnology economy forward. Our services help that network to strengthen skills, connect job-ready talent to industry, and enable employers to create thriving workforces that support their growth.

Recently named a Great Place to Work® for 2025 and a 5-Star Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Employer by Canadian HR Reporter for 2025—marking the third consecutive year of this achievement—BioTalent Canada continues to demonstrate excellence in workplace culture. The organization has also been recognized as a Best Workplace in Healthcare for 2023 by Great Place to Work Canada®, and a Best Workplace by HRD Canada for 2024. These varied distinctions were awarded to BioTalent Canada following a thorough and independent analysis of the organization.

OUR VISION

The Canadian bio-economy is people-focused, a career of choice and a key driver of the Canadian economy.

OUR MISSION

We strengthen Canada’s bio-economy by providing valuable, evidence-based labour market information and the best job-ready human resources available.

OUR VALUES

BioTalent Canada’s values embrace diversity and inclusion, collaboration, science, transparency, and leadership to fuel curiosity for data‑driven results to achieve impactful outcomes.

WHAT WE DO

We conduct Labour Market Research to provide insights for our partners into workforce availability. We deliver employer supports and facilitate career placement opportunities to help employers reduce the risk of hiring and allow biotechnology workers access to unique opportunities in their field. We provide job search and candidate search tools to connect employers with talent, and we provide professional development opportunities for workers to develop the skills they need to support Canada’s bio‑economy. We are connection‑creators and relationship‑builders, and we thrive on opening doors and creating opportunities for the groups we serve.

Our team is the key to our success. We have a dedicated group of high‑performing employees who live our values and are driven to achieve great things, but we balance our commitment and hard work with our joie‑de‑vivre– we prize hilarious jokes, innovative approaches, diverse perspectives, and community‑mindedness.

We take pride in the work environment at BioTalentCanada, and we offer a number of unique programs and benefits to employees to enrich their experience working here. Highlights include three weeks of vacation to start, two paid volunteer days to support our communities, a day off with pay to celebrate you on your birthday and contributions to a Retirement Savings Plan.

BioTalent Canada is seeking a Director of Finance to lead the organization’s financial strategy, ensuring robust planning, compliance, and sustainable growth. This is an ideal opportunity for a strategic thinker with strong financial acumen who thrives on driving operational excellence and supporting Canada’s bio‑economy.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Director of Finance plays a pivotal role in driving BioTalent Canada’s financial strength and operational excellence. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role combines financial leadership with hands‑on execution, ensuring the organization’s financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and accountability is managed with purpose. The Director of Finance is responsible for the effective management of accounting, budgeting, payroll, financial analysis, and compliance processes that support evidence‑based decision‑making and organizational growth.

Working collaboratively with the COO and Leadership Team, this role maintains robust internal controls, accurate reporting, and continuous process improvements. The Director of Finance also supports enterprise risk management and vendor oversight to ensure compliance with contractual and legislative requirements, enabling BioTalent Canada to deliver on its mission with integrity and transparency.

In this role you can expect:

Financial Planning and Management

• Oversee the day‑to‑day financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, and reporting functions
• Prepare accurate and timely financial statements, management reports, forecasts, and variance analyses
• Ensure compliance with federal funding agreements, contribution requirements, and audit standards
• Manage contract and payment workflows for revenue‑generating activities, ensuring accurate processing, recording, and reconciliation of transactions managed through digital payment systems
• Maintain and improve accounting policies, procedures, and financial systems to ensure accuracy and efficiency
• Support the COO with strategic financial insights, budget analysis, and data‑driven recommendations

Reporting and Compliance

• Manage all aspects of corporate fiscal reporting and government compliance, including quarterly and year‑end financials, audits, and accruals
• Coordinate external and internal audits, ensuring all documentation is complete and accurate
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and contractual obligations related to financial and funding agreements
• Maintain accurate capital asset and technology registers and ensure proper amortization

Risk and Operational Oversight

• Support the organization’s enterprise risk management (ERM) framework in collaboration with the COO
• Monitor and mitigate financial, operational, and cyber‑related risks through effective controls and vendor management
• Ensure proper due diligence for third‑party service providers and monitor ongoing compliance
• Support the implementation and monitoring of business continuity and IT system resilience plans in collaboration with external vendors

Payroll and Benefits Administration

• Oversee payroll administration and related reporting in collaboration with the People & Culture team
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, funder requirements, and internal controls

Process Improvement and Systems Management

• Identify opportunities to streamline financial processes, strengthen internal controls, and improve reporting accuracy
• Manage the integration and optimization of financial software and systems
• Ensure proper documentation and version control for all finance‑related policies and procedures

Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead and mentor the finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional development
• Partner with department managers to ensure sound financial stewardship in project planning and execution
• Support the COO in preparing reports, presentations, and briefings for the Board of Directors and external stakeholders
• Contribute to organizational planning and performance management through accurate, actionable financial insights

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

• An affable, congenial leadership style that promotes inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility and collaboration
• Proven track record of developing and maintaining financial systems, policies, and internal controls
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Proficient in financial software and ERP systems, preferably SAGE 50 or Quickbooks, with advanced Excel and reporting skills
• Proficiency in MS Office suite and experience with CRM, project management, financial systems and digital payment systems such as Moneris and PandaDocs
• Demonstrated experience in not‑for‑profit financial management, including contribution agreements, funding compliance, and government reporting
• Proven team player with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments, foster a strong team culture, and contribute to shared organizational goals while embodying BioTalent Canada’s values
• High affinity for data and metrics to help design evidence‑based solutions
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities, with the ability to convey complex financial information clearly
• Demonstrated interest and aptitude in artificial intelligence (AI), with a commitment to continuously expanding knowledge and applying emerging AI tools and practices to enhance organizational efficiency, decision‑making, and innovation
• 7‑10 years of progressive financial experience, including 3‑5 years in a management capacity
• Post‑Secondary education in a relevant discipline, such as accounting, finance or business or equivalent experience; and pursuing or having a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of/experience in the biotechnology industry in Canada
• Experience in non‑profit environments
• Proven fluency in both of Canada’s official languages (reading, and speaking)

BioTalent Canada offers a competitive total rewards package. Our hybrid work environment offers the flexibility to regularly work from the Ottawa office a minimum of two days per week and remotely from a designated home office.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and resume outlining your interest and qualifications by 12:00pm on December 1, 2025.

BioTalent Canada prides itself on being an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for applications in all aspects of the selection process.

We thank all applicants for their interest in BioTalent Canada, however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.