Director of Finance and Administration

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Hours: Permanent full-time.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2025, end of day.

Start Date: Negotiable (January or February 2026).

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to:

Nathan Medd, Chief Executive Officer

ceo[at]

Overview

The Director of Finance and Administration is a key part of the executive team, working with the CEO and senior managers to set and achieve strategic goals, improve efficiency, and ensure long-term financial sustainability. The Director is accountable for the day-to-day administrative and financial operations (with particular focus on the registrar/front desk, accounting, and HR staff). The Director is also responsible for supporting the CEO in the implementation of the organization's financial strategic goals, including responsibility for development and administration of the annual budget, short- and long-range financial planning, and policy development as member of the Finance & Audit Committee. This role will be responsible for all financial reporting and financial related regulatory compliance and for the ongoing development and monitoring of strong system of internal controls designed to ensure the organization's assets are safeguarded and used in accordance with approved budgets.

The role directly oversees a two-person accounting staff who handle accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll, as well as the Registrar and Registrar's Office (approx. five staff), and a human resources coordinator.

Key Responsibilities

A. Planning

• Assist in formulating the Society's future direction and supporting tactical initiatives.

• Support the CEO and Board with the implementation of the Conservatory strategic plan, by providing financial analysis, projections and applying business acumen to the process.

• Lead the annual budgeting process, including working with all other department heads to establish budgets that support the strategic plan.

• Assists colleagues with forecasting and planning budget requirements and analyzing and reporting on variances.

B. Operations

• Participate in key decisions as a member of the Senior Management Committee.

• Manage the accounting, registration, and human resource staff of the organization.

• Oversee the Society's transaction processing systems and ensure accuracy and best-use of the customer-facing registration software.

• Implement operational best practices and seek opportunities to innovate and streamline.

• Provide leadership to the Development team, ensuring compliance in tax receipting, revenue recognition, and reconciliation processes.

C. Financial

• Shape and execute the Conservatory's financial strategy, ensuring accurate reporting, compliance with GAAP and CRA regulations, and effective budgeting and forecasting. Maintain accurate and complete accounting records.

• Oversee the accounts payable and accounts receivable functions and ensure they are completed in an efficient and effective manner. (Quickbooks environment).

• Oversee the payroll and benefits functions, ensuring employee information and details are maintained accurately.

• Review bi-weekly employee payroll (Payworks environment) and monthly remuneration of faculty.

• Monitor cash balances, cash forecasts, and manage debt requirements.

• Monitor Endowment Funds held externally and provide annual reporting to the Board of Directors.

• Oversee and manage investments. Provide annual reporting and recommendations.

• Prepare department and activity internal reports.

• Prepare grant budgets, monitor grant usage, and prepare related financial reports.

• Report on financial results to the Board of Directors.

• Prepare annual financial statements.

• Oversee the year-end financial statement audit process.

• Ensures compliance and regulatory filings are completed in a timely, accurate manner.

• Keeps current on new and emerging financial accounting polices and regulations.

• Directs and/or participates in special projects as assigned by the CEO.

D. Risk Management

• Establish and/or improve upon internal financial management systems, controls, policies, and procedures.

• Maintain appropriate insurance coverage.

• Maintain current knowledge and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and Conservatory policies.

• Identifies risk and issues that may interfere with the Organization's financial objectives and operations and bring forward recommendations as appropriate.

E. Engage Stakeholders

• Build strong relationships with external partners including auditors, banks, vendors and other stakeholders, to support mission and financial sustainability.
• Build strong relationships across internal teams.

Qualifications and Requirements

The ideal candidate brings enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference in a not-for-profit organization. The ideal candidate should have:

• Postsecondary degree in Accounting or Business Administration.
• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience.
• Experience working with or within not-for-profit organizations.
• Experience working with an executive team and a board of directors is very helpful.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience managing people.

As a not-for-profit charitable organization, the Conservatory is made up of a small administrative team, and the Director takes a hands-on approach, often required to directly process transactions, perform reconciliations, monitor receivables & payables, coordinate HR issues, work with staff on solving their system issues, etc.

Compensation and Benefits

Annual salary range: $110,000-$120,000, plus paid annual leave, plus a paid week during institutional closure for the December holidays. Health and retirement benefits include an RSP group program with matching contributions up to 5% of salary, and access to all concerts and events at Conservatory venues along with frequent invitations to community events.