Director, Corporate Finance

The Role

Directs the provision of accounting, corporate budgeting, and payment services to the Region and its local boards; the development and implementation of infrastructure financing plans, including strategic use of development charges, debentures, reserves, and other financing tools; financial planning, budgeting, and accounting services to client departments; and the design and implementation of the Region’s property tax policies.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises a Manager of Corporate Budgets, Manager of Infrastructure Financing, and Manager of Finance (Public Health & Emergency Services/Community Services). Indirectly supervises unionized and non-unionized staff.
• Directs activities of the Division. Ensures financial transactions conform to generally accepted accounting principles, and that financial control systems and policies are established and effective. Directs the preparation, implementation, and administration of the Financial Management By-law.
• Directs the Region’s annual budget process and related communication. Tracks and reports on the short and long term impacts of master plans and business plans. Directs the financial impact assessment of the Regional Official Plan, departmental master plans and business plans.
• Promotes long term financial sustainability by directing the planning, development, and implementation of infrastructure financing plans for growth related infrastructure and asset renewal work, including development charges, debentures, reserves, financing tools, and related processes, policies, and procedures. Directs the development of short and long term financial projections and funding plans.
• Directs and administers the development charge program, including the development and implementation of the by-law. Recommends rates/policies to Committee and Council, and directs reporting to staff, Council, and the Province. Coordinates others’ involvement (e.g., regarding planning forecasts, legal issues, program area infrastructure requirements; the development industry; steering committee).
• Directs the corporate 5 year tax supported budget projection model, 10 year user rate projection model, and 10 year debt projection model, incorporating staffing requirements, expenditures and revenues, debt servicing cost projections, debt outstanding projections, and future tax rate impacts.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Directs, implements, and administers financial aspects of the corporate asset management strategy and departmental plans.
• Directs financial aspects of the Region’s participation in provincial and federal infrastructure financing programs. Leads and participates in agreement negotiations; directs the claims process; approves submissions; and reports to senior staff, steering committees, and Council.
• Directs the operating budget and capital forecast process for client programs. Directs the development of financing plans, user rates (water, wastewater), budgetary control, financial analysis services, and resolution of financial issues.
• Provides guidance and direction to the administration of social assistance payments, including payment production, distribution, policies and procedures and account reconciliations.
• Directs financial aspects of the Brownfield Financial Incentives program, including providing guidance and input regarding policy and program development, consultations, and review/approval of Tax Increment Grant calculations.
• Oversee the participation of Finance staff on the management negotiating team for collective agreements to analyze and provide advice regarding financial impacts of proposals. 
• Acts as a financial resource and advises management and Council on fiscal policies, as required. Presents information and responds to inquiries at Council and Committee meetings.
• Represents the Region and Division on major projects and studies, providing expertise in accounting, development charges, and financial analysis, standards, and procedures. Represents the Department during meetings. Provides information and advice on financial matters.
• Organizes divisional resources. Leads/participates on committees, project teams, and interest groups.
• Prepares, administers, authorizes, and monitors divisional expenditures and annual operating budget (approx. $1.2B). Oversees and directs the development charge process (approx. $75M annual in collections and appropriations). 
• Backs up the CFO as required.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills normally acquired through a Bachelor' degree in a related discipline (e.g., business, economics, math, commerce), plus progressively responsible related management experience in the field. 
• Must have a professional accounting designation (CPA).
• Knowledge of management and financial accounting, and ability to direct the design and development of short and long term administrative, operational, technical, and financial plans. 
• Knowledge of infrastructure financing principles and trends; and understanding of development charges, municipal financing, and long term financial sustainability methods and tools.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, related legislation (e.g., Municipal Act, Development Charges Act, Public Sector Accounting Board standards, Canada Revenue Agency directives).
• Leadership skills to direct, develop, motivate, and support staff, and direct consultants.
• Communication, human relations, continuous improvement, facilitation, negotiation, and public relations skills to present issues and reports to Committee/Council and varied audiences, and explain complex topics so they are easily understood; and participate as an effective team member.
• Political sensitivity to work with the Regional Chair and members of Council to anticipate and understand issues of interest or concern to Council. Ability to advance priorities and balance objectives in a political environment, and obtain agreement and buy-in from Council and leaders.
• Ability to read and interpret correspondence, financial information, reports, policies, procedures, case histories, legislation, regulations, and professional journals. Ability to write correspondence, reports, and legal agreements.
• Understanding of multiple cultural frameworks, values and norms and a demonstrated flexible style when faced with dimensions of culture in order to be effective across cultural contexts. Understands the dynamics of cross-cultural and inclusion-related conflicts, tensions, misunderstandings and opportunities. In addition, recognizes and addresses one’s filters, privileges, biases and cultural preferences with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement in diversity, inclusion and cultural competence. 
• Ability to lead transformative change in line with the vision and values of senior leadership while delivering on the expectations of an evolving workforce and regional residents. Is able to discern when to inquire, advocate, drive or resolve more decisively.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, financial systems (e.g., Oracle), web operating and capital budget systems, and report writers (e.g., Crystal). 
• Must provide an acceptable Police Information Check (Level 2) for bondability.
• Ability to travel within and outside Waterloo Region. 
• Ability to adjust schedule or work additional hours on weekends and evenings to respond to emergencies and Councillors.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.