Department: Finance

Classification/Level: Department Manager DM

Position Status: Full-Time

Employment Status: Permanent

Reporting Relationship

The Director of Finance will report to the Enaagdenjged.

Scope of Authority

The Director of Finance will exercise a high degree of independent judgment and action in development, interpreting and applying policies, and implementing financial initiatives.

Position Summary:

The Director of Finance will lead and manage the finance team while providing high-level oversight on the organization’s financial strategy, operations, and reporting. This senior leadership role is responsible for setting financial direction, managing a high-performing finance team, and ensuring the organization’s financial health. The role will also require collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to achieve business objectives, support growth, and ensure compliance with financial regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team to ensure high performance, professional growth, and alignment with organizational goals.

• Provide strategic direction for the finance department, ensuring that the team adheres to best practices in finance, compliance, and financial governance.

• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and collaboration within the finance department.

• Ensure proper delegation of tasks between senior finance staff and the FP&A Manager, eliminating any duplication of effort and ensuring clarity in responsibilities.

Financial Governance & Compliance:

• Oversee all aspects of financial governance, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, Indigenous funding guidelines, and corporate financial reporting standards (ASPE/IFRS).

• Act as the primary liaison with external auditors, regulatory bodies, and funding agencies, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and financial regulations.

• Supervise the development and implementation of internal controls, ensuring the integrity and transparency of all financial data.

Strategic Financial Leadership:

• Collaborate with the Enaagdenjged and other senior leadership to develop the organization’s long-term financial strategy, ensuring alignment with overall business goals.

• Drive the financial strategy to support growth initiatives, operational improvements, and strategic investments while balancing risk management.

• Provide input into financial decision-making at the organizational level, ensuring that all decisions align with the company’s mission, values, and goals**.**

Cross-Departmental Collaboration:

• Work closely with other department heads to align financial goals with operational initiatives.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the executive team on financial matters, helping to guide high-level decision-making and resource allocation.

• Facilitate communication between the finance department and other business units to ensure a coordinated approach to achieving organizational goals.

Stakeholder & External Relations:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with government entities, Indigenous community leaders, and funding bodies, ensuring transparency in financial operations.

• Represent the organization at external meetings, conferences, and community forums to present the organization’s financial position and ensure alignment with community priorities.

• Ensure clear and open lines of communication with external auditors, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders on financial matters.

Financial Reporting & Oversight:

• Oversee the preparation of the organization’s financial reports, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely submission to stakeholders such as Chief & Council, federal agencies, and funding partners.

• Approve major financial decisions and ensure that financial reports reflect organizational goals and priorities.

• Ensure that financial reports prepared by the finance team meet compliance standards

Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Manage the annual budgeting process, ensuring that the organization’s financial goals align with strategic objectives.

• Oversee ongoing financial forecasts to assess organizational performance against budgeted targets.

• Ensure departmental and project budgets are well-defined and monitored, providing strategic input on financial planning for cross-functional projects.

Risk Management:

• Lead the organization’s risk management efforts, identifying potential financial risks and developing strategies to mitigate them.

• Ensure that financial risks related to new business ventures, investments, and partnerships are evaluated at the executive level, with appropriate oversight from the finance team.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field (MBA or equivalent preferred).

• CPA or equivalent professional designation is required.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10+ years of finance experience, with at least 5+ years in a senior leadership role managing a team of finance professionals.

• Proven track record of successfully leading financial operations in a complex, dynamic business environment.

• Experience managing finance teams and collaborating with senior leadership to develop financial strategy and drive company performance.

• Experience working with First Nations or government funding bodies is an asset.

Skills & Competencies:

• Deep expertise in financial management, reporting, and budgeting.
• Strong leadership skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage and develop a finance team.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with senior executives, stakeholders, and external partners.
• In-depth knowledge of Canadian accounting standards (ASPE/IFRS), public sector financial regulations, and federal funding guidelines.

Assets:

• Experience working in First Nations financial governance and reporting.

• Proficiency in financial software systems (e.g., Sage, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite).

• Ability to build strong relationships with Indigenous communities, government officials, and financial institutions.

• Bilingualism in English and French or Indigenous languages is considered an asset.

Working Conditions:

• This role will require flexibility and the ability to respond to changing priorities and demands.

• Strong focus on transparency and collaboration, working closely with senior management and external stakeholders.

• Occasional travel may be required to engage with community leaders, federal agencies, and other external partners.

Criminal Reference Check (CRC) Rationale: M’Chigeeng First Nation is in a position of trust to its band members and is committed to providing a safe and secure work environment. Applicants must have record clear and/or dated of convictions relating to fraud, drugs, assault, and theft. The CRC must be current (30 days) and must be an Original.

Credit Check: As a condition of employment, this position may be subject to the successful completion of a satisfactory credit check.

Interested applicants must submit COVER LETTER, RESUME, THREE (3) CURRENT REFERENCES (3 Work-Related references from a direct supervisor/manager references that will be contacted upon a successful interview) and education certifications to:

APPLY HERE

Director of Finance
employment@mchigeeng.ca
c/o Human Resources
P.O. Box 333 M’CHIGEENG, ON P0P 1G0 (Fax 705-377-4980)
LATE OR INCOMPLETE applications will not be considered. Preference will be given to Anishinabek people.
For Job Description, please contact Human Resources ***employment@mchigeeng.***ca