Manager, Finance Business Support & Special Projects

CITY OF ST. CATHARINES; St. Catharines; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of St. Catharines is seeking a seasoned Manager of Finance Business Support & Special Projects reporting to the Director of Financial Management Services.

You will lead the Finance Business Support team and provide strategic leadership across corporate and departmental financial strategies, budgeting, reporting, and procurement. You will guide cross‑departmental initiatives, translate complex financial information for senior leadership and Council, and oversee staff performance,

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in accounting, business administration, finance or related discipline.
• 8+ years progressive experience in accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, procurement or process review, with leadership experience.
• Experience with Public Sector Accounting (PSA) and municipal government.
• Ontario municipal government experience is a strong asset.
• CPA/CFA or equivalent designation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Finance Business Support team; provide strategic leadership and management of staff.
• Guide financial advisory aligned with Council priorities, policies and goals.
• Provide financial guidance to departments ensuring alignment with policy and work plans.
• Oversee financial communications with internal and external stakeholders; ensure clarity and alignment.
• Translate complex financial information and prepare recommendations for senior management and Council.
• Advise on efficiency of financial policies and processes and implement improvements.
• Manage recruitment, performance, coaching and staff development.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Budgeting

Procurement

Public sector accounting

IFRS familiarity

CPA/CFA designation

Education

Post-secondary degree in accounting/business/finance

Job description

About the Role:

Reporting to the Director of Financial Management Services/City Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer, the Manager of Finance Business Support & Special Projects leads the Finance Business Support team, providing strategic leadership and effective management of direct and indirect reports in delivering client-focused, corporate, and departmental financial strategies to complex service areas. Financial advisory is provided in alignment with Council strategic priorities, policies, and business goals, and in support of operating and capital budget results, variance and financial analysis, forecasting, program-specific reporting, procurement, and budgeting support.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Work in partnership with departments to provide financial guidance and support, ensuring alignment with corporate policy, strategic priorities, departmental goals, and approved work plans.
• Collaborate with departments to provide financial leadership in the execution of a variety of initiatives and Council Strategic Priorities with wide-ranging impacts for the City and its residents.
• Work collaboratively with other City teams to provide advice regarding implications on operations of policy and process improvement and to ensure adoption and integration into business operations.
• Provide leadership and oversight of financial communications with internal and external invested parties, ensuring information is clear, consistent and aligned across all business units.
• Translate complex financial information, reporting and analysis and prepare recommendations for senior management, Council, committees, boards and the public as required.
• Advise Finance management on the effectiveness and efficiency of financial policies and processes across lines of business, recommending improvements, changes or the implementation of new policies as required.
• Lead the Finance Business support team with a focus on service excellence, communication, transparency, innovation, data integrity and effective workflow integration.
• Provide leadership, direction, and support to direct reports by setting priorities, assigning work, resolving issues, and ensuring individual and team objectives are achieved
• Manage staff recruitment, performance, coaching and skill development activities.
• Develop project plans, schedules, and goals related to special project initiatives, while engaging with cross-departmental staff to execute the plan, and report on results and findings of same to senior leadership.
• Serve as departmental representative on Boards or Committees as directed.
• Serve as Chief Financial Officer for St. Catharines Hydro Generation Inc. a City owned subsidiary corporation, providing financial oversight and reporting to its Board.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What’s Required:

• Post-secondary degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, procurement and/or process review, including demonstrated experience leading, managing, and developing staff.
• Experience with Public Sector Accounting (PSA) and working in municipal government is required.
• Experience in Ontario municipal government is considered a strong asset.
• Previous experience engaging with Committees, Council, or a Board is preferred.
• Professional accounting or finance designation – Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of external regulations, such as the Municipal Act, the CICA/PSAB Handbook, and all other regulations impacting the accounting and reporting of municipalities.
• Working knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is considered an asset.
• Completion of the Municipal Accounting and Finance Program through the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks, and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) is preferred.