Director of Finance

Alio Recruitment; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial recruitment agency located in Downtown Ottawa is seeking a Director of Finance who will lead financial operations and strategize for expansion within the insurance and risk management sector. This senior position requires a CPA with over 10 years of finance leadership experience, advanced Excel skills, and expertise in Sage software. The successful candidate will play a critical role in shaping the organization's financial future in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive finance leadership experience.
• Experience in the insurance, brokerage, or risk management sector.
• M&A experience is a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial direction, planning, forecasting, and reporting.
• Oversee and mentor a growing accounting team.
• Manage the transition to Sage Cloud from Sage 300.

Skills

Advanced Excel expertise

Exceptional communication skills

Tech-savvy

Education

CPA designation

Tools

Sage 300

Sage Cloud

Job description

Overview

Director of Finance (Future VP / CFO Pathway) — Downtown Ottawa, in-office, Insurance and Risk Management sector.

Are you a senior finance professional with a proven track record in insurance, risk management, or brokerage? Our client, a unique and well established organization in the heart of Downtown Ottawa, is searching for a hands-on, strategic Finance Director to lead their financial function and play a critical role in their continued expansion.

The Role

Reporting to the leadership team and working closely with the Chief Underwriter and international partners, the Director of Finance will oversee the accounting function, financial planning, analysis, and reporting while driving strategic initiatives. This role is in-office in Downtown Ottawa and requires someone who is as comfortable in spreadsheets as they are in boardroom strategy.

• Lead financial direction, planning, forecasting, and reporting.
• Oversee and mentor a small but growing accounting team (currently a Controller and Accounting Assistant).
• Collaborate with global brokers and insurers, including senior London and European market leaders.
• Develop and optimize financial models, templates, and dashboards using advanced Excel skills, complex formulas, calculations, and data-driven insights.
• Manage and oversee accounting systems and lead the upcoming transition to Sage Cloud (from Sage 300).
• Partner with investors (including Canadian and European stakeholders), providing accurate, timely, and strategic financial insights.
• Ensure compliance, accuracy, and efficiency across all financial operations.

About You

You are a highly intelligent, driven, and modern finance leader who combines hands-on expertise with big-picture strategy.

Must-Haves

• CPA designation
• 10+ years of progressive finance leadership experience (controller / director level or above).
• Experience in the insurance, brokerage, or risk management sector, ideally within a larger brokerage or firm.
• Advanced Excel expertise; you live and breathe formulas, financial models, and data automation.
• Proven experience with Sage 300 and/or Sage Cloud.
• M&A experience is a strong asset.
• Tech-savvy and comfortable leveraging modern financial tools.
• Exceptional communication skills (English required; French bilingualism considered an asset).
• Must be willing and able to work onsite in Downtown Ottawa.

The Opportunity

This is more than a Finance Director role. It\'s a career-defining opportunity for someone who wants to:

• Step into a leadership seat with clear visibility to VP Finance / CFO succession.
• Shape the financial future of an organization poised for significant expansion and strategic growth.
• Work in an exciting space that combines insurance innovation, international partnerships, and risk management expertise.

Location: Downtown Ottawa (in-office only)

Level: Senior Finance Leadership (Director / VP track)

Industry: Insurance / Risk Management / Brokerage

If you are an intelligent, driven CPA who thrives in complex, high-stakes financial environments and are ready to take on a hands-on yet strategic finance leadership role, we\'d love to hear from you.