Director of Finance and Controller

This is a temporary, fixed-term position created to ensure operational continuity within Heritage Park's Finance leadership team. The role is for a defined term of approximately twelve (12) months and does not carry an expectation of renewal, extension, or ongoing or permanent employment beyond the contract term.

Responsibilities

Strategic Support

• Develop and execute comprehensive financial strategies aligned with Heritage Park's mission, vision, and organizational goals, enhancing awareness of Heritage Park’s financial health and sustainability
• Provide ongoing oversight and assessment of the organization’s financial health, including sustainability, liquidity, and key financial risk indicators
• Lead financial analysis supporting strategic priorities, including scenario modelling, business cases, and investment decisions
• Translate strategic initiatives into financial impacts, ensuring alignment between organizational priorities and financial capacity
• Assess affordability, funding implications, and financial risks associated with strategic initiatives, capital investments, and operational decisions
• Deliver forward-looking financial insights to support executive decision-making, prioritization, and trade-offs
• Identify financial risks and opportunities and provide recommendations to strengthen long-term financial sustainability
• Ensure financial considerations and discipline are embedded in decision-making across all major organizational initiatives
• Partner with Executive Leadership to align financial strategy with operational and strategic objectives

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Lead the development, consolidation, and execution of the annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring clear accountability for assumptions and outputs
• Drive rolling forecasts with a focus on accuracy, discipline, and timely updates
• Provide detailed variance analysis and lead corrective action planning with department leaders
• Establish and enforce forecasting standards and expectations across the organization
• Lead scenario analysis, sensitivity modelling, and financial planning to support budget development and forecast updates
• Evaluate financial implications of key assumptions, risks, and strategic choices through modelling and scenario analysis
• Translate operational drivers into financial outcomes to support planning accuracy and decision-making
• Leverage financial systems and data to enhance forecasting accuracy, automation, and insight generation
• Deliver forward-looking financial projections to support executive planning and performance management

Cash Management

• Own short- and long-term cash management, including daily/weekly cash positioning and liquidity monitoring
• Develop and maintain detailed cash-flow forecasts to ensure ongoing liquidity and financial stability
• Monitor and optimize working capital, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and restricted funds
• Ensure compliance with donor, grant, and funding requirements related to cash usage and restrictions
• Identify and proactively manage liquidity risks, funding gaps, and cash constraints
• Oversee banking relationships, cash controls, and cash handling practices
• Provide clear, timely reporting on cash position, trends, and risks to Executive Leadership
• Use financial systems and data analytics to improve visibility, forecasting precision, and cash decision-making
• Own the preparation and delivery of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency of all financial reporting
• Deliver timely, decision-ready reporting with clear analysis of variances, risks, and trends
• Provide actionable financial insights to Executive Leadership to support decision-making
• Ensure compliance with not-for-profit accounting standards and regulatory requirements
• Oversee financial reporting related to operating, capital, and restricted funds
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to funders, regulators, and external stakeholders
• Enhance reporting through effective use of financial systems, dashboards, and data analytics to improve transparency and insight

Accounting Operations and Systems Oversight

• Lead all core accounting functions including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, and banking
• Ensure disciplined and timely month-end and year-end close processes with clear accountability for deliverables
• Enforce robust reconciliation standards and review across all balance sheet accounts
• Maintain the integrity of the chart of accounts and financial data structure
• Ensure appropriate capitalization, amortization, and tracking of tangible capital assets
• Act as system owner for financial systems, ensuring data integrity and reliability
• Drive optimization of systems to improve automation, reporting efficiency, and insight
• Partner with stakeholders to enhance data quality and integration across systems
• Support financial systems implementations, upgrades, and reporting enhancements

External Audit Management

• Lead and manage the annual external audit process end-to-end
• Act as the primary liaison with external auditors
• Ensure audit readiness, including preparation of schedules, working papers, and supporting documentation
• Coordinate timelines, deliverables, and internal stakeholders to meet audit deadlines
• Ensure timely resolution of audit findings and implementation of recommendations

Internal Controls

• Design, implement, and continuously strengthen the internal control environment
• Ensure clear accountability for control processes across all finance activities
• Enforce compliance with delegated authorities, approval frameworks, and financial policies
• Maintain audit readiness through disciplined documentation and reconciliation practices
• Proactively identify control gaps and implement improvements
• Monitor and manage key financial risks, including liquidity, compliance, and funding risks
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and strong governance practices
• Leverage financial systems and data to enhance control effectiveness and transparency
• Promote a culture of accountability and control awareness across the organization
• Provide strategic direction to the finance team by implementing initiatives that align with Heritage Park's strategic business plan and values
• Ensure consistent alignment with organizational goals by setting departmental objectives based on Heritage Park’s strategic business plan and values, and communicating these objectives effectively to team members
• Engage with directors and managers within the finance department to understand their challenges and needs, facilitating clear communication and providing guidance during organizational changes
• Regularly assess and enhance the performance of direct reports through ongoing feedback, goal-setting, and professional development initiatives, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and individual growth
• Support the professional development of finance staff by identifying relevant training opportunities, collaboratively resolving issues, and providing active coaching and mentorship to team members
• Participate in the recruitment, orientation, and training of new finance staff to ensure they are equipped with the necessary information and resources to excel in their roles and contribute to the financial success of Heritage Park.

Organizational Excellence and Wellbeing

• Contribute to inspiring and immersive experiences at the Park by engaging in Heritage Park initiatives that align with our mission and vision, ensuring authenticity in our historical setting and stories.
• Actively support a positive work environment by creating an atmosphere of inclusion, engagement, belonging, and fulfillment for employees and volunteers, in line with Heritage Park values.
• Recognize all contributors to our community as integral to our success, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
• Demonstrate responsible stewardship of our people, collections, and financial assets by driving growth with innovation, transparency, and financial sustainability, while embracing our historical assets and recognizing all contributors.
• Demonstrate commitment to workplace health and safety by complying with Heritage Park's Health, Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS), following safe work practices, reporting work-related incidents, injuries, and hazards, participating in employer training, and adhering to policies including the Code of Conduct and the Workplace Violence and Harassment policy.
• Volunteers are a vital part of Heritage Park’s success. Employees are expected to collaborate respectfully with volunteers and contribute to an environment where volunteers feel heard, safe, welcomed, and supported, recognizing the important role they play in delivering exceptional experiences for our community.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
• CPA or equivalent designation is required.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in finance and accounting.
• A minimum of 5 years in a leadership or management role is required.
• Experience working in a non-profit organization following ASPNO is preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of financial management principles, practices, and regulations.
• Demonstrated experience leading external audits and preparing audited financial statements.
• Proven track record in leading budgeting, forecasting, and cash‑flow management.
• Advanced knowledge of not-for-profit accounting standards and restricted fund accounting.
• Strong analytical and financial modelling skills.
• High ethical standards and commitment to stewardship and accountability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.