Director of Finance and Administration

Standardbred Canada - Looking for REAL HORSEPOWER

Get to Know Us: Standardbred Canada is a not-for-profit association and the national breed registry for the standardbred horse with over 6000 members. We serve our horses and members by recording pedigrees and racing statistics for the Canadian harness racing industry and by being a news leader for the industry with a very active website and monthly TROT magazine.

Culture: “It’s about the H.O.R.S.E. of course” – At Standardbred Canada our corporate values promote Honesty, Ownership, Respect, Service to Others and Excellence. Our success is powered by people and technology. We champion diversity and always look for ways to put more pace into the sport. Our employees are the real horsepower of the association and are always at the core of who we are and what we do.

Location: 2150 Meadowvale Blvd, Mississauga, Ontario

Position Summary:

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Finance and Administration is responsible for providing leadership of Standardbred Canada’s business support function. This includes the business planning process, oversight of the finance, facilities and human resources functions, and risk management for the organization. 

The Director works closely with the CEO and Board of Directors, and Finance Committee on financial and business planning activities to support Standardbred Canada's vision and strategic plan. Establishing and maintaining strong financial performance is a core function of the role.

The Director of Finance and Administration is accountable for the administrative, financial, and risk management operations of the organization, to include the development of a financial and operational strategy, metrics tied to that strategy, and the ongoing development and monitoring of control systems designed to preserve company assets and report accurate financial results.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Lead and manage the Finance Department of the association
• Oversee the accounting and payroll functions of the association
• Manage all aspects of Human Resources for the association
• Oversee the association’s investments in compliance with the Investment Policy set by the Board of Directors
• Development and management of the operations and capital budgets and forecasts
• Oversight and administration of all Standardbred Canada Insurance Programs; Employee Benefits, Association Insurance, Member Insurance Programs
• Business Planning
• Financial Performance and Reporting to Board and Finance Committee

Direct Reports:

• 4-5 Direct Reports

Required Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in accounting, finance and/or business administration and a recognized accounting designation (CMA, CPA, CGA) is required
• A minimum of 5 years of recent experience leading the finance function of a not-for-profit, horse industry sector, or similar organization or business; ideally with at least five years broader operations management experience including oversight of HR, Facilities and General Administration
• Demonstrated understanding of not-for-profit funding and reporting requirements, GST and other rebates applicable to Not-For-Profit organizations
• Strong business acumen demonstrated through the leadership and implementation of effective and financial planning process, development of new business models and successful investment strategies
• Understanding of strategic HR and best practice methodologies and experience in implementing these methodologies
• Strong technical skills with experience selecting and overseeing accounting function and software implementations; advanced knowledge of Sage ERP Accpac and Microsoft Excel
• Demonstrated ability in preparing financial statements and analysis, reporting, budgeting, and forecasting
• Experience in developing business cases including the establishment of cost projections and revenue forecasting
• Proven experience in developing successful working relationships with Board of Directors and member-based committees would be an asset
• Excellent negotiating, decision-making, problem solving, coaching and conflict resolution skills
• Exceptional leadership skills with a commitment to collaboration, joint-accountability, and strong relationships with Standardbred Canada members, partners and external organizations
• Proven success in developing strong and collaborative teams by demonstrating a positive, proactive, and engaging leadership style
• Superior oral and written communications skills, to both effectively represent Standardbred Canada in presentations and meetings, as well as in preparation of briefing materials, reports, and proposals
• Problem solving and critical thinking skills, including ability to anticipate obstacles and develop an appropriate and strategic course of action
• Able to attend occasional weekend and evening work as required

Competencies:

Communication: Clearly and concisely conveys verbal, non-verbal or written information and ideas to individuals or groups to ensure that they understand the message. Listens and responds appropriately to messages from others.

• Eloquently composes clear, concise, and crisp messages to a variety of audiences.
• Gets messages across that initiate appropriate actions or convey information. Style is individualized.
• Eye contact, posture, gestures, and facial expressions are always used appropriately.
• Exhibits high degree of skill in developing supporting ideas or interpreting content.

Problem Solving: Uses analysis, wisdom, experience, and logical methods to make good decisions and solve difficult problems with effective solutions; appropriately incorporates multiple inputs to establish shared ownership and effective action.

• Uses a combination of logic, analysis, experience, wisdom, advanced methods, and other resources to make sound, timely decisions and to solve problems. Demonstrates the ability to solve complex, difficult, and intractable problems, creates effective and innovative solutions.
• Skillfully probes all appropriate sources; demonstrates advanced skill and keen insight in gathering, sorting, and applying key information. Demonstrates deep resolve and resilience throughout the process. Identifies the appropriate level of inclusion indicated; builds and leads coalitions and teams to facilitate the work when indicated.
• Delivers solutions and decisions that have a positive, far-reaching, and comprehensive organizational impact, influencing future events and directions.

Team Leadership: Anticipates and resolves conflicts, turns team diversity into an advantage, uses unique team talents, defines processes and goals, works for consensus.

• Provides a strategic context to the team in order to complete objectives. Continually coaches managers, supervisors and technical experts to develop skills to improve team effectiveness.
• Strong coaching attributes that are effective in engaging people and resources in creating successful outcomes.
• Genuinely wants the organization to be as good as it can be and consistently checks in to re-evaluate the way and what is being done. Takes a holistic approach to the association, ensuring all departments are functioning in sync, identifying and resolving conflict.

Change Management: Can effectively cope with change; can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.

• Anticipates impact of change, and directs self and others in smoothly shifting gears.
• Uses ingenuity in dealing with ambiguous situations, and guides others to cope effectively.
• Rises to the challenge, accepting risk and uncertainly as normal.
• Articulates visions of possibilities and likelihoods.
• Creates competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans; generates an attitude of enthusiastic expectancy in others regarding change and challenge.

Business Acumen: Carries out organizational strategy with a clear understanding of the industry trends and market dynamics that drive Standardbred Canada’s mission. Exercises judgment around opportunities that represent the most potential for the organization.

• Champions the organization within the market as a national industry leader, both in data management and services, and as a platform for communication that creates interest, awareness and support for the Standardbred Industry.
• Understands the projected direction of the industry and how changes will impact the organization. Continually reviews business plans against the organization’s mandate, considering the long-term applications and viability of current activities.

People Management: Manages employees’ work activities and their performance with the goal of optimizing efficient use of talent.

• Instills a culture of high performance and outstanding results where staff are encouraged to do their best.
• Delegates appropriate authority and deliverables to fully leverage and motivate the team.
• Enthusiastically broadcasts teams’ successes, crediting and honoring the whole group.
• Sets clear organizational objectives, cascading challenging yet achievable deliverables.
• Implements forums for feedback and to provide information to appropriate individuals who are empowered to make decisions. 
• Designs and sets benchmarks and success measures.

Please submit your resume and cover letter, with salary expectations, to scvacancy@standardbredcanada.ca.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so please apply early. Application deadline is May 17, 2024.