Are you interested in being part of a world class conservation community? Now is your chance to take your career to the next level as the Director of Finance, Technology & Innovation at the Toronto Zoo – one of GTA’s Top Employers and Canada Greenest Employer.
Job Title: Director, Finance, Technology & Innovation
Location: Toronto (Highway 401 and Meadowvale Rd)
Job Type: Permanent & Full-Time
Job Status: Hybrid working – 3 days in office – 2 days from home
Reports to: CEO
Salary: $145-$165K based on experience
Compensation Package: Dental, health and life insurance, 4 weeks vacation, OMERS pension plan (9% up to Yearly Maximum Pensionable Earnings of $64,900. Anything above this is 14.6%).
Position Summary
The Toronto Zoo is seeking a creative and innovative seasoned leader able to catalyze the team around innovative ideas and approaches. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this position is the most senior financial position responsible for leading and driving the overall strategies for Finance and Technology, with the goal of transforming and continuously improving organizational success and operational efficiency. The Director will have a change mindset, responsible for leading the strategy and executing on modernizing finance and technology systems and processes to better serve our team, guests, community and the animals in our care.
About the Toronto Zoo
As one of GTA’s Top Employers and Canada Greenest Employer – Our Toronto Zoo is stepping into a period of transformational change with the launch of the new Master Plan and the development of a clear roadmap to achieve our mission, increase revenues and build resilience. This is a position that will give an individual with an enterprising mindset an opportunity to make significant transformational impacts.
Our Toronto Zoo serves more than 1.2 million guests each year on over 500 acres and the foundation of all of our work is based on four cares:
- We care about our animals
- We care about our team
- We care about our guests
- We care about our community
We strive to have this caring culture grounded in the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. We commit to collaborating with our teams, guests and community to celebrate the rich diversity of Toronto and Canada.
As a world class accredited zoo and part of the global conservation community we work with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and collaborate with governmental agencies, conservation and science non-governmental organizations and corporate and academic partners to share our knowledge and learn from each other to enhance our collective impact.
Key Responsibilities
- With a high level of accountability, the Director will be capable of anticipating responses to rapidly evolving financial, business and technology needs, with talent strategies that will ensure the Zoo continues to revolutionize, evolve and innovate.Works collaboratively with colleagues on the senior management team to provide strategic advice, maximize efficiencies, provide sound financial management and drive value.
- Oversees the financial results for each operating unit and provides reliable financial reporting to support decisions impacting the performance of the organization, including increasing attendance, and delivering new mission-based business services to enhance guest experience.
- As the senior financial officer, responsible for overseeing the preparation, implementation and control of the Zoo’s ten-year capital budget and the annual operating budget, including the review and analysis of budget requests of all divisions, establishing overall corporate budget priorities and ensuring operations are consistent with approved plans and within allocated resources.
- Directs program evaluations using key performance indicators. Works with senior management and direct reports in defining performance measurements and analyzing programs against business goals and priorities.
- Works with various committees of the Board of Management and attends Board Meetings to provide strategic expertise and presentations, proposals, and reports on various initiatives and partnerships. Leads and/or participates on various internal and external committees to represent the Division and/or Toronto Zoo. Provides advice/support to the CEO on various projects and programs and recommends alternative solutions as required.
- Develops sound policies and procedures for the Division and ensures that all such policies and procedures are uniformly understood and properly administered.
- Responsible for the oversight of the annual financial audit and management of external auditor relationship, as well as interfacing with the City of Toronto and Auditor General’s Office (AGO) on internal audit and AGO matters.
- Responsible for negotiation of major business and legal contracts (e.g. food services, banking, special exhibits, and large sponsorships). Liaises with the City of Toronto Legal team and effectively administers contracts between the Zoo and outside sources for the provision of various services, equipment and supplies.
- Presents proposals, reports and recommendations within the areas of responsibility to the Board of Management or other stakeholders as required.
- Represents the Zoo on various internal and external committees.
Key Areas of Focus
Technology
- Leads the Zoo’s Information Technology Unit.
- Oversees and delivers on a multi-year technology roadmap as part of the Master Plan.
- Directs technology to achieve integrated outcomes across the organization.
Risk and Control
- Leads the development of a robust Risk Management Framework.
- Leads the Zoo’s Records Management Program
Procurement
Oversees the Zoo’s Procurement function to establish and execute on strategies that create advantage through the procurement of products, materials and services, and the creation of business solutions for operations, project management, and leadership.
Day-to-day Financial Operations
- Ensures the effective delivery of accounting services.
- Manage relationships and reporting with partners including the City of Toronto
Leadership
- Leads, manages and directs a team of finance and technology professionals. Utilizes effective training, performance assessment and coaching techniques to build high performing teams.
- Delegates effectively and ensures an atmosphere of empowered teamwork and accountability
- Establishes a culture and work environment that attracts, retains and motivates an inclusive and diverse skilled workforce.
- Translates the strategic plan by setting the overall strategy for the department, aligning individual goals to the strategy and assisting in the delivery of these goals.
- Promotes a positive safety culture in which all the employees understand the importance of safety and behave in a way that prioritizes their own safety as well as the safety of those around them.
- Participates in the Zoo Site Director program on occasional weekends and during the week as required.
- May act as designate in the absence of the CEO.
Qualifications
- A designated CPA (Certified Professional Accountant) and/or possess a degree in business (MBA) or finance (BComm) from a recognized post-secondary institution or equivalent experience and education.
- Must have a minimum of seven (7) years’ progressive senior financial related experience, responsible for leading strategic finance, with some experience in leading information technology strategies.
- A proven track record of building high-performing finance teams.
- Experience / involvement in the negotiation and preparation of contracts.
- Experience effectively leading and developing strategic plans and building programs and initiatives designed to improve and/or increase efficiencies.
- Must possess highly developed analytical capabilities, with the capacity to effectively develop and implement appropriate financial and administrative systems and provide sound advice, data and statistics to counsel to senior management to make sound business decisions.
- Strong interpersonal skills, a team player with a positive attitude and proactive approach.
- Exceptional relationship skills with the ability to build trust, across the organization as a collaborative trusted partner.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, to present information at all levels of the organization, both internally and externally. Must have proven ability to prepare and present concise and comprehensive reports and presentations to a variety of audiences.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Toronto Zoo provides accommodation for employees with disabilities, as defined under the Ontario Human Rights Code. If contacted for an interview, and you require specific accommodation for the interview process because of a disability or a medical need, then please advise the person contacting you of your requirements, so that arrangements can be made for the appropriate accommodations to be in place before you begin the interview process.
The Toronto Zoo respects the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion and seeks to model these principles in all that we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workforce where all employees feel respected, supported and valued. We strive to create an environment that represents the rich diversity of our guests and our community and encourage applications from all qualified individuals who can contribute to enhancing our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Applications are especially encouraged from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and women.
Please be advised the Toronto Zoo requires mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for employees.
While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
How to Apply
Are you ready to make a difference and chart an exciting new career path? Please send your CV to recruitment@hrcovered.com and title the email “Zoo”.