Secretary Treasurer (CFO)

Comox Valley Schools - School District 71; Courtenay; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Comox Valley School District in Courtenay, British Columbia, seeks a Secretary Treasurer to serve as Chief Financial Officer and corporate secretary to the Board of Education. The ST oversees finance, facilities and IT, and partners with Indigenous and community stakeholders to support student success.

The successful candidate will provide strategic financial leadership, safeguard governance obligations, and lead cross‑functional teams in a maturing, diverse education environment.

Responsibilities

• Anticipates financial, legal and other matters, and advises the Board on action that may be required to deal with these, and provides regular updates as matters progress
• Coordinates / prepares information required by Trustees; serves as Parliamentarian; oversees Board meeting governance procedures using Board Policy and Robert’s Rules of Order
• Takes action necessary to implement Board directions; plans, with the Executive Assistant to the Secretary Treasurer, Superintendent, Vice‑Chair and Chairperson, the agenda and conduct of Board meetings; and
• Responsible for Trustee elections and referenda (if required); provides all possible support to Board and Administration regarding department responsibilities or where individual skills and experience are of use.

Job description

Comox Valley School District ("CVS" or "the District") is an inclusive learning community located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, within the traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, and the Pentlatch, E'ikʷsən, Sahtloot, and Sasitla. Serving the communities of Courtenay, Comox, Cumberland, Denman Island and Hornby Island, the Comox Valley is renowned for its vibrant arts scene, diverse cultural programs and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities including great ocean beaches, golf, skiing, hiking, swimming and boating opportunities.

CVS is a progressive school district dedicated to developing responsible, engaged, compassionate and resilient lifelong learners. CVS embraces diversity, relationships, and empowers all learners to have a positive impact on the world. CVS partners closely with local Indigenous communities, as outlined in the Local Education Agreement with K’ómoks First Nation. The District is the second largest employer in the Comox Valley with over 1,900 employees and provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 10,500 in 14 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 K-9 school, 3 secondary schools, 2 alternate schools, and a provincial on-line learning school.

The annual operating budget is approximately $170 million. For further information, please see Comox Valley School District’s website.

SECRETARY TREASURER

The Opportunity

The Secretary Treasurer ("ST"), as the Chief Financial Officer, is accountable to the Superintendent for the financial, legal, and general business activities of the Board at all levels of the system, and bears primary responsibility for oversight of the finance, facilities, and information technology teams. The ST, through sound financial planning and management, ensures the fiscal responsibility and accountability in the District, and is expected to affect these goals while fostering positive and effective working relationships within the District and with First Nations, local government, the Indigenous Education Council, educational partners, and community organizations.

The ST also serves as the Corporate Secretary to the Board of Education, and is responsible for ensuring the minutes of the Board are recorded and maintained, its correspondence distributed, and for supporting the Board in delivering their governance mandate including policy development and the strategic plan accountability framework.

CVS is seeking a skilled financial leader and creative problem solver with a transparent, responsive, and collaborative leadership style. They should be passionate about public education, putting learners at the centre of decision‑making. The ST ensures that business operations support effective education services for students and contribute to the achievement of the District’s strategic goals. The successful candidate will be innovative and possess policy, systems, and planning expertise to assist the Comox Valley Board of Education with complex decision‑making in a maturing and diverse environment.

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a cohesive and aligned leadership team as it pursues system‑wide transformation, focusing on transparency, collaboration, flexibility, and stability. Putting students at the centre of decision‑making, the ST will build structures and processes that enable equity and openness. Desire to partner meaningfully with Rights Holders to ensure CSV supports Indigenous learners and families is a must.

Key Responsibilities

Board Relations

• Anticipates financial, legal and other matters, and advises the Board on action that may be required to deal with these, and provides regular updates as matters progress;
• Coordinates / prepares information required by Trustees; serves as Parliamentarian; oversees Board meeting governance procedures using Board Policy and Robert’s Rules of Order;
• Takes action necessary to implement Board directions; plans, with the Executive Assistant to the Secretary Treasurer, Superintendent, Vice‑Chair and Chairperson, the agenda and conduct of Board meetings; and
• Responsible for Trustee elections and referenda (if required); provides all possible support to Board and Administration regarding department responsibilities or where individual skills and experience are of use.

Financial Planning

• Ensures that the preparation of the operating budget and other financial planning activities are consistent with Board goals / directions, and legal and policy direction established by government;
• Oversees the District’s financial reporting requirements and ensures the annual financial statements are prepared in accordance with Ministry requirements;
• Ensures that the Board has an accounting and financial control system that is in compliance with Ministry directions; facilitates and coordinates directives and queries stemming from government; and
• Directs capital funding requests to the Ministry, in conjunction with the Board and senior staff.

Legal Operations and Risk Management

• Ensures compliance with requirements imposed by the School Act and other legislation regarding financial, Trustee, and Board‑related matters;
• Approves legal contracts, except for those delegated to others (i.e. purchase orders);
• Prepares contracts on various matters (except where delegated to other persons or departments), seeks regulatory approvals, and acts otherwise in a legal capacity, employing legal counsel as required;
• Serves as the primary point of contact of the Schools Protection Program.

Business Operations

• Gives general direction to the business functions;
• Maintains a cash management and investment program;
• Ensures the international education program delivers value to the District;
• Ensures seismic upgrades and capital projects are properly prioritized and managed;
• Directs District insurance program; and
• Negotiates major leases, land, and other financial transactions.

The opportunity will remain active until it is filled.

We sincerely thank all applicants for considering us an employer of choice. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The successful applicant will be subject to the terms of the Criminal Review Act.