DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

If you thrive on working in a dynamic environment that’s diverse, inclusive, and collaborative—while doing some of the most meaningful work of your career, we want to hear from you!

 

Position Title: Director of Finance

Position Type: Full-time, 35 hours per week. Occasional weekend and evening work required throughout the year, particularly during grant application periods, donor reporting, and for Board and Committee meetings.

Location: Vancouver, BC (hybrid work model) or fully remote for the right candidate

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Salary Range: $120,000 to $139,000 based on experience

Closing date: May 15, 2024

 

ABOUT JES

The Justice Education Society of British Columbia (JES) is a non-profit organization with over 30 years of experience with a vision to provide Justice for All. We seek to improve access to justice, to promote human rights, and to protect the fundamental freedoms of all people—including women, children, Indigenous peoples, and marginalized populations. We are driven by the belief that building a person’s legal capability, and strengthening the justice systems that serve them, has the power to create a more equitable society.

JES has built a strong international reputation as an innovative organization that values collaboration, diversity, and sustainable impact, and is leading the sector in progress on Canada’s Justice Development Goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals of Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. All our initiatives are grounded in our mission to empower people to access and deliver justice in Canada and globally.

Our commitment stretches across continents: JES has successfully implemented impactful access-to-justice projects in 24 countries with the support of diverse sources of funding including provincial, federal, and overseas governments. JES currently has offices in BC, Guatemala, Honduras, Guyana, Panama, Saint Lucia and works in El Salvador, Costa Rica, Colombia, Grenada, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

More information on JES is available at: www.JusticeEducation.ca. 

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, and as an integral member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Director of Finance holds a critical role in managing our comprehensive financial operations. This position involves hands-on management of accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, procurement, budgeting and internal and external analyses, projections, and reporting.  With a small team located in Vancouver and abroad, the Finance Director engages directly in detailed financial reporting, meticulous budget preparation and analysis, and ensures compliance with contractual obligations and internal controls.  The Finance Director also plays an essential role in providing seamless financial services to other departments, with a continuous focus on improving operational efficiencies and integrating systems effectively.

This full-cycle accounting results-based position demands a proactive and engaged approach in a fast-paced environment within a multi-funder, multi-currency, multi-country non-profit organization. Management of a dynamic workload with various deadlines within a professional team environment makes it an exciting opportunity that offers substantial achievement. To excel, you must seamlessly transition from hands-on operational tasks to strategic management, demonstrating both detailed precision and strategic foresight in financial leadership.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Financial Management and Procurement

• Analyze all funding and grant contracts/contribution agreements to ensure complete and accurate implementation of the terms of funding, the appropriate tracking of all eligible expenses, and the accurate and timely preparation of internal and external project and financial reports and statements.
• Analyze and review budget variances with the CEO, Program and/or Project Directors on a regular basis to identify any necessary organization budget adjustments.
• Prepares and/or oversees all accounting, payroll, and procurement functions by directing a small team and ensuring compliance with all required legislation in all countries of operations.
• Responsible for the annual JES financial and project audits, including coordinating the timing for fieldwork and the preparation of all necessary schedules and working papers.
• Develop and control the organization’s annual operating budget to ensure that all financial targets are met, and financial and statutory regulations are complied with.
• Develop and maintain cash flow forecast reporting, metrics, and dashboards to provide the organization with the proper financial tools to make better strategic decisions.
• Ensure the preparation of financial information for the organization complies with Canada GAAP, JES policies and the regulations in the different countries of operations.
• Develop and implement an internal audit program to ensure that the organization complies with financial procedures and regulations.
• Develop and maintain all necessary systems, policies, and procedures to ensure effective and efficient financial management within the organization.
• Provide timely and accurate financial reporting, monitoring, budgeting, and forecasting information, including revenue recognition, and improving cash efficiencies.
• Lead and manage the organization’s procurement processes, ensuring cost-effective purchasing and contract management align with policies.
• Provide financial advice, support and guidance to the organization’s leadership team and staff to enable them to achieve their objectives.

People Management

• Lead direct reports to provide guidance, training, and support, and encourage positive employee contribution.
• Develop goal setting, provide feedback, and conduct performance reviews.
• Help foster a dynamic organizational culture and strong team cohesion amongst all JES staff, through clear and open communication.
• Ensure regular opportunities for two-way feedback, professional development, coaching and mentoring.
• Cultivate an environment for organizational learning by bringing others together to examine successes and to assist in defining specific issues and create solutions.

Risk Management

• Identify and implement risk management strategies that respond to current and anticipated risks in financial operations.
• Ensure that all other financial team members follow legal and organization requirements for accurate and compliant financial data.

Reporting and Compliance

• Act as a business partner to the Chief Executive Officer and others regarding all aspects of the position.
• Report on activities to the Board as required, including written reports and attendance at Board meetings.
• Engage with and provide support to the Finance and Audit Committee of the Board.
• Maintain and regularly review policies and procedures to ensure compliance with funder requirements and other relevant guidelines.
• Ensure that human resources and payroll policies and practices are followed and adhered to in all countries of operations.

Strategic Leadership

• Participate as a member of the Senior and Executive Leadership Teams in contributing to the overall strategy, administration, and management of the organization.
• Contribute to the achievement of the organization’s objectives by providing advice and guidance on financial strategy, identifying, and analyzing potential issues that could negatively impact the organization.
• Remain up to date on best practices in non-profit financial management, business systems and internal control measures.

OTHER

• Assume additional responsibilities as needed to drive our mission forward.

THE PERSON

You are a passionate, humble, and inclusive leader—a trusted partner and collaborator renowned for your exceptional judgment and unquestioned integrity. With strong critical thinking skills at your core, you bring a sense of humour and thrive in a multicultural and multilingual environment, where your empathy, respectfulness and patience are as valued as your communication skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Superior communication and leadership skills, the ability to work independently, as well as within a collaborative team environment.
• Must be results-driven, a self-starter and highly motivated with an interpersonal style that fosters collaborative and productive relationships with a diverse team of internal staff and external stakeholders.
• Highly detail-oriented with superior analytical, financial, and accounting skills.
• Ability to think, plan and execute strategically to support JES’ mission and vision.
• Flexibility and tolerance for a fast paced, ever-changing Funders’ requirements environment.
• Experience with Sage Intacct is preferred; high proficiency with similar accounting packages will be considered.
• Minimum 5 years post-designation management level experience, including experience completing full-cycle accounting, and strong working knowledge of Canadian GAAP.
• Experience preparing financial statements, and completing audits, in a multi-company, multi-project and multi-currency financial environment.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in managing foreign exchange risk.
• Experience working with multiple funders, timelines, funding agreements and agencies, preferably within a non-profit organization.
• Proven skills in developing, implementing, and monitoring financial systems, controls, policies, and best practices while ensuring compliance with all regulators and funding agencies.
• Demonstrated leadership, critical & strategic thinking, team-building and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written skills in English. Fluency in Spanish would be an asset.

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting, or equivalent business experience.

Designation

Certified Professional Accounting Designation (CPA) is required.

Preferred

Non-profit experience and demonstrated experience with Federal Government reporting.

Other

• International travel may be required, including immunization as per the legal requirements for entry into countries being visited.
• Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have a valid work permit issued by the Government of Canada.

BENEFITS

We offer a comprehensive benefits program that includes:

• Extended health and dental coverage, along with health insurance.
• A starting annual vacation allowance of 4 weeks, increasing up to 5 weeks, plus an additional yearly management supplement of 5 days.
• Office closure in late December, which is reviewed and approved annually.
• Enrollment in the Municipal Pension Plan.
• Generous entitlement to health days.
• Flexible work arrangements to accommodate diverse needs.
• Coverage of relevant professional fees and memberships.
• Opportunities for training and professional development.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send your cover letter and resume to jobs@justiceeducation.ca by May 15, 2024.

Please do not hesitate to apply even if you do not meet every specific requirement listed above. Additionally, if your lived experience equips you with a foundation comparable to the work experience required, we encourage you to highlight this in your application.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

At JES, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive and accessible environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and supported. We recognize and honour the unique history and culture of Indigenous peoples and are deeply committed to the principles of reconciliation. We are steadfast in our belief in a diverse workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ages, religions, disabilities, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds, including Indigenous peoples, and individuals of all races and colours.