Permanent Full Time Director of Finance

Department: Finance Reports to: CEO, Country Executive
Finance Team
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Position is based in GTA and requires 2-3 days a week in office (Mississauga). This may change as the company policy in remote work evolves.

It’s about the people who make the chicken”, and we are looking for a Director of Finance to join our family. So, if you have fire in your belly, passion in your soul – along with proven ex-PERI-ence in Finance, and you’re looking for an opportunity to join a team that is entrepreneurial journey of growth – then read on and maybe Nando’s is the right place for you.

The Director of Finance serves as the senior financial leader for the organization, responsible for overseeing the entire finance and accounting function across corporate-owned and franchise operations. This role acts as the financial quarterback for the business—ensuring accurate reporting, strong controls, disciplined planning, and actionable insights that drive profitable growth. Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Finance partners closely with executive leadership, operations, people, and franchise leadership to translate financial data into strategic decisions. This individual leads accounting, FP&A, reporting, audits, treasury, and systems, while building a high-performing finance team capable of supporting a dynamic, multi-unit restaurant business.

Finance & Accounting Leadership
Lead and develop the accounting and finance teams on a day-to-day basis, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and partnership with the business. Oversee all core accounting functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, payroll, fixed assets, and revenue accounting for both corporate and franchise locations. Ensure all financial transactions are recorded accurately, completely, and on a timely basis in accordance with GAAP and company policies. Review balance sheet reconciliations regularly and ensure strong documentation and discipline across all accounts. Serve as the primary point of escalation for technical accounting and financial reporting matters. Responsible for generating, reviewing, and distributing internal and external financials each accounting period.

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Partner with the CFO, CEO, and functional leaders to develop 5-year strategic and operating plans, including unit growth, margin improvement, and capital deployment. Analyze weekly and monthly performance trends, including sales, labor, food costs, margins, and unit-level profitability. Deliver easy-to-understand, decision-oriented financial reporting for senior leadership, including weekly dashboards, monthly operating reviews, and board materials.Partner with leadership to interpret results, identify risks and opportunities, and apply learnings to future decisions. Support the development of automated reporting, dashboards, and data views through the company's data warehouse and Power BI, ensuring data accuracy, validation, and consistent business rules. Provide ad hoc financial analysis and tools to support restaurant operations, franchise performance, and cross-functional initiatives.

Audit, Tax & Internal Controls
Serve as the primary owner of external audits, including planning, coordination, and execution, ensuring timely and clean audit outcomes. Assist in year-end audit preparation, including account analyses, schedules, and supporting documentation. Partner with external advisors on tax compliance and preparation, including corporate and franchise-related filings. Review internal accounting controls regularly, identify gaps, and implement improvements to mitigate risk and improve efficiency. Communicate annually with management on how internal controls support risk management and profitability.

Treasury & Financial Stewardship
Oversee treasury-related activities including cash management, forecasting, and working capital optimization. Monitor liquidity, cash flow trends, and capital needs to support restaurant operations and growth initiatives. Support capital planning decisions related to new restaurant openings, remodels, technology investments, and strategic initiatives.

Partner closely with the Head of People on the design, administration, and analysis of quarterly and annual incentive plans, ensuring alignment with company goals and financial performance. Provide financial insight into compensation strategy, bonus eligibility, and incentive outcomes. Systems, Process & Continuous Improvement
Lead finance-related projects including system implementations, upgrades, and process
Partner with internal teams and external vendors to improve the quality, scalability, and usability of financial systems and data. Proactively identify opportunities to improve finance and accounting processes, data integrity, and reporting efficiency. Ensure the finance function scales effectively to support growth in both corporate and franchise locations.

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or related field

• 7+ years’ experience in industry accounting, including 2+ years in a senior position.
• Similar role in restaurant, hospitality or retail corporate finance department preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with strong Microsoft Excel skills Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including data manipulation and statistic functions.
• Strong working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, internal controls.
• Experience with project management and conversions

DO THE JOB: People-first leader who builds, coaches, and develops high-performing finance teams
Trusted business partner who translates financial data into clear, practical insights.
Strong commercial and operational mindset with deep understanding of restaurant economics
Sound judgment and ownership over financial integrity, controls, and risk management
Strategic thinker who balances short-term performance with long-term growth
Solutions-oriented and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, multi-unit environment
Champion of systems, process improvement, and data-driven decision-making