Manager, Infrastructure Financing

The Role

Manages the planning, development, and implementation of the Region’s infrastructure financing plans, and the implementation and administration of the Development Charge By-law. 

Manages accounting, budgeting, and financial advisory functions for the Transportation Services Department, Engineering and Environmental Services Department, and Planning, Development and Legislative Services Department. 

Participates in the development of departmental programs and services. Ensures assets and liabilities are accounted for, payments are properly authorized, and revenue due to the Region is applied for and received.
 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises Financial Analysts, and indirectly supervises Accounting Specialists.
• Manages the planning and execution of infrastructure financing policies, processes, and procedures, and the use of financial accounting, planning, and reporting systems for developing long-term financing plans.
• Designs and implements the infrastructure financing plan, in collaboration with a steering committee.
• Develops and implements methods for financing infrastructure capital assets. Advises on accounting and financial software systems, and participates on systems development project teams.
• Administers the Development Charge By-law, related policies, and coordinates the preparation of background studies. Interprets legislative and regulatory changes related to the Development Charges Act, and proposes and implements changes in internal policies and processes accordingly. Manages adjustments and complexities in response to changes to the Act and related regulations and bills (e.g., Bill 108 (2020); Bill 23 (2022)), such as new exemptions, deferrals, discounts, rate freezes, and amendments to other provisions.
• Represents the Region at development charge complaint and land tribunal hearings. Coordinates development charge policies and procedures with area municipalities where applicable.
• Manages the assessment and administration of development charge discounts on industrial development. Manages financial risk exposure, particularly as it relates to the development community. Conducts and manages developer consultations and complaints, and takes an active role in the legal proceeding of complaints and hearings to mitigate the Region’s financial risk.  
• Develops and maintains relationships with management in client departments. Facilitates infrastructure planning and implementation project meetings with client groups.
• Manages the preparation, analysis, and presentation of changes to operating and capital budgets for the implementation of infrastructure financing plans. Prepares agendas for steering committee meetings; identifies and evaluates project alternatives and impacts on accounting, budgeting, and reporting processes.
• Assists in developing long-term debenture projections and reserve/reserve fund projections.  Monitors development charge reserves to manage growth-related debt levels and ensure adequacy of rates.
• Provides advice and assistance to Council through Committees, project teams, and interest groups. Attends Council and Committee meetings to present material and respond to questions.
• Provides input into policy and strategy development, including the corporate strategic plan.
• Manages senior level government infrastructure funding programs.
• Manages planning for infrastructure financing of tangible capital assets (approx. $7B), including data collection, valuation, audits, and other services. Leads the implementation and management of the Region’s asset retirement obligations for PSAB purposes. Implements and maintains accounting standards related to asset retirement obligations, particularly as it relates to client areas with significant infrastructure portfolios. Reviews and determines financial obligations with respect to the retirement of regional assets, and estimated liability. Ensures amounts are reported on the Region’s financial statements.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Assists in projecting the impact of changes to the Region’s Official Plan (ROP) on the cost of growth-related infrastructure to make assessments of where growth should occur. Manages through iterations of the ROP and master and business plans to ensure alignment with density targets and ensure growth is financially sustainable. 
• Understands and analyzes changes to master plans and capital programs for impacts on the growth-related infrastructure funding program. Manages analysis of how growth impacts service areas to ensure development charges remain sufficient.  
• Manages reporting and auditing requirements for infrastructure funding programs, and compliance with transfer payment agreements. 
• Negotiates and approves budget for valuation agreements on consultant projects.
• Provides information and input into the Section budget. Authorizes cheque and purchase requisitions.
• Enforces compliance with accounting systems and policy across the organization. 
• Consults with auditors regarding audit planning, process, results, and reporting. 
• Discusses infrastructure financing policy with other government agencies, officials, and external organizations. 
• Backs up the Director as required. 
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (such as Business, Economics, Commerce), plus progressively responsible related public sector experience. 
• Must have a professional accounting designation (CPA).
• Knowledge of project management, management and financial accounting, financial control systems, and budgeting principles and techniques. Ability to develop financial models.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, generally accepted accounting principles, collective agreements, and related legislation/requirements (e.g., financial management, purchasing, municipal development charges, public sector accounting board).
• Analytical, problem solving, and continuous improvement skills to plan/develop objectives; determine, organize, and coordinate program goals/components (administrative, technical, operational, financial); classify work and select staff to achieve goals; analyze budgets and evaluate financial alternatives; and develop solutions/new approaches to studies/projects.
• Leadership skills to manage, develop, motivate, train, and support staff. 
• Communication, human relations skills and political acuity to present/explain complex, politically sensitive issues to Council, senior management, staff, agencies, the public, and media, and respond to inquiries; communicate effectively and persuasively; represent the program on committees; conduct training; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read and interpret policies and procedures, technical journals, contracts, reports, legal documents, and correspondence. 
• Ability to write correspondence, project plans, Council/Committee reports, policy recommendations, procedures, and training materials. 
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office and financial information systems. 
• Must provide an acceptable police records check for bondability.
• Ability to travel within and occasionally outside Waterloo Region. 
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.