This position provides strategic leadership and technical oversight for key financial functions, including municipal taxation, payroll, benefits, accounts payable, and receivable. It ensures effective program delivery through the development of processes, systems, and staff, while maintaining compliance with legislation, policies, and financial standards.

The role supports a high-performing, collaborative team environment and works closely with internal stakeholders to ensure financial integrity, operational continuity, and service excellence. It also contributes to policy development, budgeting, financial reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives that align with organizational goals.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

People Management (20%)

• Fosters a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that supports open communication across in-office, remote, and hybrid teams.
• Provides clear direction by setting strategic goals, establishing performance expectations, and conducting regular reviews to support staff development and continuous improvement of team capabilities and processes.
• Develops and supports staff through career planning, ongoing coaching, training, and professional development initiatives.
• Collaborates with HR to make effective hiring decisions and ensures alignment with HR procedures when supporting employee performance, accountability, and resolution processes.
• Oversees and supports specialized staff in highly regulated and technical areas (e.g., taxation, accounting, pensions, disability management, and payroll), ensuring adherence to legislative, regulatory, and collective agreement requirements.
• Ensures operational continuity by developing team capacity, cross-training, and knowledge transfer processes for critical finance and employee services functions.
• Monitors and manages compliance with financial, employment, and tax regulations as they relate to staff responsibilities, providing oversight and direction to mitigate risks.
• Drives process improvement and automation initiatives across financial and employee service functions to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and client service standards.

Municipal Taxation Program (30%)

• Oversees, administers, coordinates, leads the municipal property tax program in accordance with the program requirements, timelines, internal processes, policies, bylaws, and Municipal Government Act requirements.
• Educate and inform stakeholders regarding corporate financial processes or standards.
• Performs the monthly financial accounting activities pertaining to taxation and general revenue.
• Prepares tax projections, bylaw development, budget development, collections, agreements, financial reporting, and project work pertaining to the County’s tax program.
• Manages the administrative and financial systems or modules to ensure they are effective and appropriate with necessary controls in place.
• Applies a comprehensive understanding of the municipal tax and assessment system to provide strategic advice to leadership and Council.

Financial Operations & Systems (30%)

• Provides strategic leadership and technical oversight to supervisors responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, benefits, and municipal taxation, ensuring efficient, accurate, and compliant financial operations.
• Maintains deep operational knowledge across all financial functions to provide guidance, troubleshoot complex issues, and deliver hands-on support or coverage during peak periods or staff absences.
• Oversees the implementation, review, and optimization of financial procedures, internal controls, and system workflows to support efficiency, compliance with legislation, and alignment with organizational policies.
• Supports the preparation and reconciliation of key financial accounts (e.g., payroll, benefits, AR, AP, taxation, utilities) and ensures reporting integrity for internal stakeholders, auditors, and regulatory bodies.
• Provides direction on financial processes related to tax rate bylaw testing, tax recovery, payroll compliance, benefit administration, utility billing, and vendor payments, ensuring legislative adherence and service excellence.
• Leads or supports the development of process documentation, training materials, and procedural updates to build team capacity and ensure operational continuity.
• Advises on and supports budget development, forecasts, financial reporting, and year-end processes related to salaries, benefits, taxation, and financial operations.
• Identifies opportunities for continuous improvement across financial services and drives change management initiatives to enhance service delivery and operational resilience.

Other Related Duties (20%)

• Maintains and develops financial controls, procedures, policies, directives, and bylaws, with the ability to read, interpret, and apply related documentation such as legislation, meeting minutes, manuals, and other regulatory or operational materials.
• Assists with financial reporting and audits as required.
• Performs and reviews of complex financial calculations, analytical procedures, and reconciliations, and provides evidence-based recommendations if necessary and applicable.
• Provides cross over senior financial level responsibilities and direct reports as required.
• Remains current on relevant accounting standards, internal processes, policies, bylaws, Municipal Government Act requirements that may be relative to the finance team and communicate as necessary.
• Adheres to applicable responsibilities and accountabilities as outlined in the Sturgeon County Health and Safety Management System.

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCE

The following are required in this position:

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant and progressive experience, including supervisory experience and/or training in supervision or leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Designation in one of the following: CPA, CMA, CGA or CA.
• In-depth understanding of the municipal tax and assessment system.
• In-depth understanding of accounting standards and financial controls
• In-depth understanding of municipal operations and capital planning.
• Experience motivating, leading, and supervising staff.
• Proven ability to prioritize and manage time effectively under pressure while meeting deadlines, supported by strong project management and organizational skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and other Microsoft Office programs.
• Driven, motivated self-starter with the ability to assess new and unique situations, take initiative, and determine when to seek input or feedback.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide creative, measurable solutions and make sound, informed decisions.
• Skilled in negotiating and reaching agreements in an objective, logical, and sensible manner.
• Experienced in engaging diverse stakeholders, generating shared understanding, building strong working relationships, and creating a collaborative vision.
• Proficient in compiling, communicating, and presenting complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
• Able to research, interpret, and apply policies, procedures, and processes accurately.