Financial Transformation Lead
Job Number: 2870
Job Type: Temporary Full-Time
Temp Contract Length: 18 Months
Location: 150 Frederick St - Regional Admin Headquarters
Job Category: Financial
Number of Positions: 1
Department: Corporate Finance
Division: Corporate Services
Hours of Work: 35
Union: Management/Management Support
Grade: Management/Management Support Grade 06
Salary Range: $50.16 - $62.70 per hour
About Us!
The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:
- Taking only what we need
- Leaving some for others
- Keeping the dish clean
This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.
Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051.
Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.
The Role
Supports Finance leaders in implementing their vision for the future. This includes leading financial transformation initiatives to enhance financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and business processes. Leads the team in identifying changes needed in financial systems, automation, and process improvements as part of the transformation.
Works cross-functionally to align financial operations with strategic objectives. Works in close coordination with the Financial Business Systems Analyst to ensure alignment between strategic goals and system/process execution.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Collaborates with Finance leadership to identify a future vision to transform financial and business processes.
- Identifies, prioritizes, and develops financial transformation strategies to improve efficiency, accuracy, and financial reporting capabilities.
- Leads financial process automation and technology integration, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) enhancements and digital finance tools.
- Assesses and redesigns financial workflows to optimize resource allocation and cost efficiency.
- Conducts financial analysis, scenario modelling, and cost-benefit studies to support data-driven decision-making.
- Collaborates with Finance, IT, and operational teams to streamline reporting, budget planning, and forecasting.
- Ensures compliance with financial policies, regulations, and best practices in financial governance.
- Leads change initiatives by training staff, developing new financial policies, and supporting the team as they adopt improved processes.
- Develops business cases for technology investments, including return on investment analysis.
- Leads financial reporting improvements, ensuring data accuracy, timeliness, and clarity.
- Coordinates simultaneous initiatives, including overseeing workplans of project teams supporting financial transformation.
- Performs related duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a bachelor's degree in a related field including but not limited to Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business, plus progressively responsible related experience.
- Must hold a designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or other related professional designation.
- Knowledge of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control principles.
- Experience and proficiency with financial management systems (e.g., Oracle), automation, data analytics, and process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean Six Sigma).
- Experience leading projects and complex changes.
- Experience and skill in analyzing complex financial data, developing strategic solutions, and driving continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage change, and collaborate with stakeholders across all levels.
- Knowledge of financial regulations, policies, and reporting standards.
- Proficiency using Microsoft Office (Excel, Power BI).
- Must provide an acceptable criminal record and judicial matter check for bondability.
- Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
- Ability to support and demonstrate the Region's values.
The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We actively encourage applications from diverse groups, including Black, racialized, First Nations, Métis, Inuit individuals, women, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and are committed to equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in the workplace.
For an accommodation request, please contact us and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs. Alternate formats of this document are available upon request. Please contact the Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400 to request an alternate format, or email talentmanagement@regionofwaterloo.ca.
Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).