Finance and accounting, Non-profits and charities...

Position: Director of Finance and Operations, Canada Program
Organization: Nature United
Location: Remote – Open to candidates in Ontario, Alberta and Northwest Territories

Nature United is a national organization that is reimagining conservation across Canada. We believe that nature—thriving and full of life—is the foundation of strong communities, a prosperous economy, and a future worth passing on to our grandchildren. We believe that reconciliation is at the heart of our progress as a nation. And we believe that Canada can be a global beacon for hope. We work to advance sustainable resource management by supporting Indigenous leadership and authority and to harness the power of nature to address the climate crisis by advancing natural climate solutions. Nature United is an affiliate of the global organization The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

As a conservation organization, we support the authority of Indigenous peoples to steward and manage their lands and waters by working in partnership with Indigenous Nations to strengthen governance, build on-the-ground stewardship capacity, support leaders, and catalyze local economies. Diversity, equity, inclusion and justice are central to achieving our conservation mission and we are committed to co-creating a culture that is equitable and a workplace that is diverse, inclusive and safe for all staff, partners, donors, and volunteers.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Director of Finance and Operations (DFO) plays a crucial role by integrating financial management with operational strategies, ensuring organizational financial health to support our strategic direction. The position supervises a team, reports to the Deputy Director and is a member of Nature United’s Leadership Team. The DFO will leverage constructive and effective relationships with a wide range of people, including senior management, the Board of Directors, global colleagues from the Nature Conservancy, and partners including financial/legal advisors and others.

Finance & Accounting: The 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). This includes budget and forecast development, month-end and year-end processes and reporting, facilitation of audit and regulatory filings, providing financial stewardship and risk mitigation for the organization and individual programs/departments, and managing the complex interrelationship between the two entities. The DFO also serves as a liaison between the organization and TNC’s Finance team, as well as a resource to staff on financial matters, policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Operations: The DFO will reinforce consistency in the organization's policies and procedures and ensure compliance with Canadian and US charity laws. They will ensure programmatic work is collaborative and well-integrated across the team, lead the annual organizational planning and budgeting process, and work with teams to establish and track measures of progress and success. The DFO will lead diverse activities, develop complex processes, and initiate solutions to improve organizational effectiveness. They will oversee office management, enhance systems and tools used by the team and oversee other operations staff.

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 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 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 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? Nature United 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:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 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 right relations with Indigenous Peoples

We recognize that women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities and other equity-deserving groups are less likely to apply if they do not match most of the qualifications. Nature United finds strength in diversity of backgrounds, lived experiences, knowledge, and identities. We strongly encourage those interested who bring new perspective to apply.

What We Bring:

Nature United offers a comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work environment that is supportive of the health, well-being, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

Salary Information:

This position may only be based in a Canadian province/territory where TNC is registered (Ontario, Alberta, Northwest Territories). The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $150,000 – 160,000 CAD for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is Canada. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

How To Apply:

To apply for job ID 56237, submit your cover letter and resume online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on February 14, 2025.

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A background check will be performed on the successful candidate.

Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org .