Executive Director - Finance and Administration

CAREER OPPORTUNITY for

Executive Director – Finance and Administration

 

About the Diocese of Calgary

The Diocese of Calgary, established in 1912, encompasses a community of 557,000 Catholics with 68 parishes, stretching 110,000 kilometers across southern Alberta and supports 5 Catholic School Boards and one Catholic University.

 

The Opportunity

The Diocese of Calgary is searching for an individual with demonstrably proven leadership skills and a breadth of knowledge and experience in governance and business. This unique position offers interested executives a variety of challenging responsibilities that will draw on their professional skills and experience and will present them with an opportunity to advance and to serve the Church.

The Executive Director of Finance and Administration has the responsibility to oversee administrative operations of the diocese, including financial reporting, budgets, accounting, investments and development, information technology, human resources, properties and infrastructure, litigation and corporate affairs. This is a senior leadership role within the Pastoral Centre which collaboratively works with the Presbyteral Council, Diocesan Finance Council, parish priests, staff and lay volunteers, other consultative bodies, and external agencies.

As a position rooted in Canon Law, this position is expected to exercise executive power and responsibility over the temporal operations of the Diocese including the responsibilities of the Financial Administrator contemplated by Canon 494 and the responsibilities of the administrator of goods contemplated by Title II of Book V of the Code of Canon Law.

In addition to the responsibilities assigned by the Code of Canon law, the Bishop may assign additional duties pursuant to the job description and subsequent directives.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership

  • Provides direct managerial leadership to the financial department, human resource department, and information technology service providers and other staff as assigned to ensure key responsibilities and objectives are met;
  • Serves as a champion for employee development, supervision and growth, and models the processes and behaviors with staff directly reporting to them;
  • Participates in the ongoing strategic planning process as a partner with other senior diocesan staff, providing recommendations based on financial analysis and projections, cost identification and allocation, revenue/expense analysis, risk assessments and changes affecting the diocese;
  • Ensures staff roles and responsibilities are clearly communicated and continually assesses service delivery to stakeholders; and
  • As required, represents the diocese to external partners, including financial partners, institutions, auditors, public officials, etc.

Financial Management

  • Ensures that finance staff maintain financial record systems in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
  • Ensures timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of financial and management reporting; oversees the preparation and communication of key financial reports including:
    • Periodic financial statements (monthly and annual)
    • Financial performance analysis (variance analysis to plan) and communication of financial performance to senior leadership;
    • Other finance-related management reporting as required by the Bishop.
  • Oversees the internal controls framework and monitors the use of all funds;
  • Regularly reviews internal control objectives to ensure consistency with the mission of the Diocese;
  • Oversees all aspects of cash management and investments;
  • Coordinates all audit activities and proper filings to ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions;
  • Implements financial objectives of the Diocese’s pastoral plan;
  • Advises the Bishop on all finance-related operational and strategic issues as they arise;
  • Oversees long-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with the Diocese’s priorities and goals;
  • Coordinates the development and monitoring of budgets, financial plans and forecasts; and
  • Provides information and guidance to the Finance Council and other committees as required to develop short- and long-term financial plans and projections.
  • Develop and maintain key financial relationships including banking, investments and legal.
  • Oversees salary administration, benefits and payroll

Development

  • Organizes a development approach to forming partnerships that fund the mission and ministries of the diocese; and
  • Facilitates the funding and operation of Elizabeth House and Feed the Hungry, the Together in Action campaign, and other fund-raising activities and initiatives.

Human Resource Management

  • Provides leadership and supervises the Human Resources functions, including:
    • Safe Environment and Volunteer Program
    • Hiring and Recruiting

Properties and Infrastructure

  • Coordinates and approves required property and liability insurances;
  • Manages the financial aspects of parish and diocesan buildings, projects and property acquisitions and sales;
  • Reviews and makes recommendations for diocesan capital and construction projects;
  • Provides guidance, support and consultation to parishes in construction and maintenance matters; and
  • Assesses risk management requirements and resources for protecting properties and capital infrastructure.

Systems, Policies, and Internal Controls

  • Participates in diocesan policy development as a member of the senior diocesan staff;
  • Leads discussions regarding processes, procedures, and internal controls, recommending improvements to the current systems to support policies;
  • Works with the Bishop and senior diocesan staff to maintain appropriate internal controls and to ensure sound financial, human resource and information technology procedures throughout the departments and agencies of the diocese;
  • Produces internal control reports that analyze the situation from operational, compliance, and financial perspectives; and
  • Ensures implementation of, and compliance with all required risk management best practices.

Parish Services

  • Oversees and supports parish services, and provides guidance and consultation in all aspects of:
    • Finance and accounting practices within the parishes
    • Personnel administration
    • Construction and maintenance matters
  • Overall review to ensure compliance with diocesan policies, rules and regulations of government and regulatory bodies under which the diocese operates; and
  • Strengthening internal controls and mitigation of risk through implementation and adaptation of technology and business best practices in finance, accounting, human resource, and information technology.

Information Technology (IT)

  • Provides strategic leadership and vision for diocesan technology initiatives;
  • Oversees & supports internal IT functions;
  • Maintains strong partnerships with external IT service providers; and
  • Works with internal stakeholders to ensure maximum efficiency of available budget to meet requirements of all offices and staff.

Qualifications:

Experience:

  • “Truly expert in financial affairs and absolutely distinguished for honesty” (c. 494 S1);
  • 5-10 years of senior financial management experience leading a financial team in a complex organization;
  • Experience within the Catholic Church, or other not-for-profit (NPO) organization with a multi-million dollar budget is desirable;
  • Experience in partnering with an array of key stakeholder groups with complex needs (e.g. other senior staff, consultative bodies, supervising staff);
  • Proven experience in NPO accounting, investing, borrowing, and business law; and
  • Professional experience with properties, risk management, and insurance considered ideal.

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field; advanced degree in business administration, e.g. Master’s in Business Administration, finance, or accounting preferred.
  • Licenses/certifications: CPA required.

Skills/Knowledge:

  • Advanced knowledge of budgeting principles, strategic planning and organizational financial performance monitoring;
  • Advanced skills in financial analysis, modeling, business case development;
  • Experience in leading risk management and treasury management;
  • Experience in leading and supervising staff growth and development, including coaching, performance development and management, and performance improvement;
  • Demonstrated senior management leadership ability, change management and leading transformation initiatives, team management, and interpersonal skills;
  • Knowledge of civil and canon law, accounting standards and principles, and administrative structures governing the Catholic Church;
  • Knowledge of the management, sale, and leasing of buildings/property;
  • Understanding of leading standards for internal controls over financial reporting and operations;
  • Understanding of financial operations of an NPO and related accounting principles, fund accounting and financial reporting methodologies for not-for-profit organizations;
  • Possesses a high degree of flexibility to achieve objectives and meet demands;
  • Proficiency with information technology, including knowledge of database and accounting computer applications to supply accurate information;
  • Knowledge of and proficiency with Human Resource functions, practices and systems; and
  • Utmost integrity to maintain confidential information.

Conditions of Employment

  • Compliance with all qualifications for ecclesiastical office stated in the Code of Canon Law;
  • Understanding of, and commitment to, the mission of the Catholic Church;
  • Satisfactory background check and training in compliance with the Safe Environment Policy and Procedures and related diocesan requirements;
  • Compliance with all relevant diocesan policies;
  • Occasional travel may be required; and
  • Evening/Weekend work may be required.

 

Compensation

  • Competitive compensation package commensurate with qualifications, experience, and not-for-profit standards:
  • Comprehensive benefits package;
  • RRSP after 1 year of employment;
  • Personal/Flex days; and
  • Opportunities for employee development

To Apply

Documents required as part of the application process include:  

 

Applications should be submitted by e-mail to Brittany Teixeira, Human Resources Manager: Brittany.teixeira@calgarydiocese.ca

 

Applications will be accepted until 4 pm on Friday, November 25, 2022.  Only applicants who are short-listed for an interview will be contacted directly by our office. We thank in advance all applicants for their interest.