Manager, Budget Services

City of Guelph; Guelph; Hybrid; CAD 121,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation days

Personal days

OMERS pension

Health and dental benefits

Employee assistance program

Parental leave top up

Tuition assistance

Recognition programs

Job summary

The City of Guelph is seeking a Manager, Budget Services in the Finance Department. You will lead operating and capital budget development, monitor variances, and provide financial planning support to City departments and local boards, reporting to the City Treasurer and CFO in a collaborative environment.

This permanent, full-time role offers a hybrid work arrangement, competitive benefits, and opportunities to influence the Community Vision through careful financial stewardship.

Qualifications

• University degree in Business, Commerce, Accounting or Finance required and a professional accounting designation preferred.
• Strong leadership experience supervising and motivating staff.
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead Budget Services team and set annual goals aligned with departmental objectives.
• Develop and maintain inclusive, motivating work environment for staff.
• Provide timely communication on budget matters and recommendations to senior leadership and council.
• Oversee corporate operating and capital budget development and variance reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Financial analysis

Education

University degree in Business, Commerce, Accounting or Finance

Professional Accounting Designation

Tools

JD Edwards

FMW

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Summary

Service Area: Office of the CAO Department: Finance Work Location: City Hall, 1 Carden Street Work Mode: Hybrid Job Type and Duration: Permanent, Full Time Vacancy Position Availability: 1 existing vacant position Salary Range: $121,204.72 - $151,505.90Affiliation: Non-Union Posting Period: October 2, 2026 to October 16, 2026 11:59 p.m.

When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities within our organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

What we offer

We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:

• Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
• Paid personal days;
• Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching;
• Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account;
• Employee and Family Assistance Program;
• Parental leave top up program;
• Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
• Employee recognition programs.

Position Overview

Resumes are being accepted for the position of Manager, Budget Services within the Finance Department. The Manager, Budget Services provides leadership for the City’s operating and capital budget development processes, budget monitoring and variance reporting functions, and financial planning support to City departments and local boards as applicable. Reporting to the General Manager, Finance – City Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, the position leads a team of financial professionals and serves as a trusted advisor to departmental leadership teams. Working collaboratively with colleagues responsible for capital financing strategies, strategic planning, employee compensation, and asset management planning, the Manager helps ensure corporate decision-making is supported by accurate, timely and integrated financial information. The role promotes financial stewardship, accountability, continuous improvement and service excellence across the organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness, and learning, the candidate will support the achievement of the Community Vision – to be an inclusive, connected, prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Provide leadership and guidance to Budget Services team, including training, developing, coaching, and setting annual goals and objectives in alignment with Finance departmental objectives and monitoring results.
• Develop and nurture a work environment that is inclusive, respectful and motivating for staff.
• Provide clear, proactive, and timely communication on budget matters, financial risks, assumptions, and recommendations to senior leadership, Council, departmental staff, and other stakeholders, fostering transparency and informed decision-making.
• Lead the corporate operating and capital budget development and variance reporting processes, ensuring alignment with Council priorities, corporate objectives and approved financial policies.
• Establish and maintain strong collaborative relationships to support integrated financial planning and reporting, including close coordination with staff responsible for:
  • Strategic planning
  • Capital financing strategies (reserves, debt, grants, growth revenues)
  • Investment management
  • Asset management planning
  • Employee compensation (collective bargaining, statutory and non-statutory benefits)
• Ensure budget recommendations, forecasts, variance reporting and projections are aligned with corporate financial strategies and long-term fiscal plans developed by Finance partners.
• Champion a consultative finance business-partner approach that supports financial literacy, accountability and informed decision-making across departments.
• Identify emerging budget pressures, financial risks and opportunities and provide analysis and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Provide expert financial advice, briefings and recommendations to the City Treasurer, Leadership Team, Executive Team, Committee of the Whole and Council regarding budget matters and financial implications.
• Develop standard work (procedures, guidelines, templates, etc.) aligned with approved policy to ensure a consistent and accurate approach and ensure quality control over the team’s work.
• Lead the continuous improvement of budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting processes, systems and tools, leveraging automation and technology to improve efficiency and decision support.

Qualifications and requirements

• Significant experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through several years of progressively responsible experience, preferably in a municipal environment plus the completion of a University Degree in Business, Commerce, Accounting or Finance and a Professional Accounting Designation.
• Demonstrated leadership skills acquired through considerable experience supervising, leading and motivating staff
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Proven exceptional communication skills including the ability to communicate complex financial concepts to various audiences clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Experience presenting complex financial information to senior leadership, boards, committees or Council.
• Strong financial analysis, forecasting and risk assessment capabilities.
• Demonstrated success leading change initiatives, process improvements and cross-functional projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex corporate budgeting and financial planning initiatives within a large, multi-service organization.
• Able to effectively manage multiple projects concurrently and prioritize effectively.
• Advanced skills with budgeting and financial reporting software, JD Edwards and FMW experience considered an asset.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office software with advanced Excel skills preferred.

Notes

Applicants are required to demonstrate in their application how their qualifications match those specified above. Assessments based on all of the objectives and qualifications listed above will be a part of the interview, written and/or practical test and reference checking.

Hours of work

35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m and 4:30 p.m. This position is eligible for hybrid and flexible work arrangement options (as per current corporate policy).

Hiring Process Transparency

The City of Guelph is committed to fair and transparent recruitment practices. Candidates who participate in an interview for this position will be notified of the hiring decision within 45 days of their interview. Notifications will be provided in writing, or through technology.

Commitment to Diversity & Accessibility

The City of Guelph is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where employees feel welcome, valued and engaged. Our employment policies strictly prohibit all forms of discrimination on any of the grounds in relevant laws. All employment practices are solely based on individual merit, qualifications, and organization's needs at the time. In keeping with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, we are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals in our job application procedures. If you need an accommodation in order to participate in the hiring process, you may contact us to make your needs known in advance.

Privacy Notice

Personal information collected through the recruitment process will be used solely to determine eligibility for employment. We thank all candidates in advance; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.