Director of Finance & Operations, Canada Program

The Nature Conservancy; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental organization is seeking a Director of Finance and Operations to oversee financial and project accounting for its Canadian program. The role involves financial analysis, team management, and compliance with laws. Ideal candidates will have a CPA and significant non-profit financial experience. This full-time position is based in Toronto, Ontario, and offers an opportunity to contribute to vital conservation work across Canada and globally.

Benefits

Health care benefits

Retirement benefits

Flexible work environment

Paid time off

Qualifications

• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills.
• Experience designing, organizing, and directing complex projects.
• Significant financial experience at a Canadian non-profit.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance and operations team.
• Align financial and operational strategies with organizational goals.
• Develop and manage organizational budgets.

Skills

CPAs, CGA, CMA certification

Experience in non-profit GAAP accounting

Strong experience with MS Excel and financial systems

Experience managing a multidisciplinary team

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

8 years of related experience

Tools

Workday

SAP

Hyperion

Power BI

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

This position is open to candidates in Ontario, Alberta and Northwest Territories.

The Director of Finance and Operations, Canada Program (DFO) is responsible for all financial and project accounting processes and information for two entities: Nature United (Canadian GAAP) and The Nature Conservancy's Canada Program (US GAAP). The role supervises a team, reports to the Deputy Director of Nature United, and collaborates with global colleagues from The Nature Conservancy. The DFO provides high-level financial analysis and advice for senior organizational leadership and the Nature United Board of Directors, and will be pivotal in shaping and implementing an evolving global operating model to strengthen alignment across regions and enhance organizational efficiency.

The DFO serves as the subject matter expert on Canadian GAAP, financial matters, policies, procedures, and guidelines. They manage the complex interrelationship between the Canadian and US entity and serve as a liaison between TNC and Nature United. They reinforce consistency in organization's policies and procedures and ensure financial compliance with Canadian and US charity laws. They lead budget and forecast development, month-end and year-end processes and reporting, facilitation of audit and regulatory filings, providing financial stewardship and risk mitigation.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Lead the finance and operations team, fostering a culture of transparency, collaboration, and accountability
• Work closely with the Leadership Team, Program Directors and Nature United Board of Directors to align financial and operational strategies with organizational goals
• Develop and manage the organizational budgets, forecasts, and plan for long-term financial sustainability
• Prepare and present financial reports to the board, staff, and stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accuracy
• Ensure that all programs and departments are financially viable and align with the organization's budget and strategic plan
• Ensure that programmatic commitments, Nature United and TNC Canada Program policies and procedures, and financial standards are met and managed for ethical compliance, and adhere to Canadian and US charity laws
• Assess existing internal financial controls to safeguard assets, ensure efficient use of resources, and design and implement enhancements as needed
• Oversee the annual audit process, liaise with external auditors, and manage the Finance & Audit committee of the Board of Directors
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the organization including office management, ensuring smooth and efficient functioning
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure effective and efficient processes
• Identify areas for operational improvement and implement strategies to optimize workflows and resource utilization
• Evaluate financial and operational risks and develop strategies to mitigate them
• Oversee grant management processes, including application, reporting, and compliance
• Oversee financial activities such as purchasing, processing invoices, negotiating, and contracting with vendors
• Direct or participate in negotiations for complex, high profile, or sensitive agreements
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Minimize legal risk to Nature United and the TNC Canada Program and ensure legal compliance with applicable regulations
• Some travel required, as is flexibility with working hours

We're Looking for You:

Are you looking for work you can believe in? TNC is a workplace where we care about each other and know that what we do matters, and that our work makes a difference. We currently have a vacancy for our Director of Finance and Operations. The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience designing, organizing, and directing complex projects. This position will work in collaboration with all departments to advance our strategic priorities and reimagine conservation in Canada.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by supporting the work of our team. Join us as we impact conservation across Canada and 80+ countries and territories around the globe!

What You'll Bring:

• CPA, CGA or CMA certification, as well as non-profit GAAP accounting experience
• Bachelor's degree and 8 years related experience or equivalent combination, including 3 years managing operations functions
• Significant financial and accounting experience at a Canadian non-profit organization
• Strong experience with MS Excel and financial systems, including enterprise ERP and budgeting tools (e.g., Workday, SAP, Hyperion, Power BI, etc.)
• Experience managing and supervising a multidisciplinary team
• Experience working with cross-functional teams across multiple organizational levels
• Fluent English is required

Desired Qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills including presentations, conversations, and documents
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience building effective relationships at all organizational levels
• Experience managing a diverse and geographically dispersed team
• Experience working with board of directors and supporting board committees
• Eagerness to participate in cultural competency training and advancing rights relations with Indigenous Peoples

Who We Are

The Nature Conservancy's mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We're rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it's career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there are many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

What We Bring

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers competitive and comprehensive benefits packages tailored to the individual countries where we work. These may include health care benefits, retirement benefits, parental leave, paid time off, life insurance, and disability coverage as well as an employee assistance program and other life and well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.

We're proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports the health and well-being of the people we employ.

The recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

TNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [e-mail] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.