Full Job Description
ROLE OVERVIEW
We're seeking a Vice President, Finance & Business Operations, a strategic and forward-thinking leader who will help shape the next chapter of Make-A-Wish Canada. This is more than a finance role; it's an opportunity to strengthen the financial and operational foundation that will enable our mission to grow sustainably.
As a key member of our Senior Leadership Team, and reporting to the Senior Vice President, Transformation & Operations, you will bring together financial strategy, business operations, analytics, risk and governance to strengthen how we plan, invest and make decisions. You'll provide the insight and discipline to steward our resources responsibly, improve organizational performance, and build the capabilities needed to support sustainable growth and greater mission impact.
If you bring financial acumen, business curiosity and enterprise thinking, and believe the strongest organizations pair ambition with discipline, this is your opportunity to help build the foundation from which our mission can grow and bring the power of Wishes Are Medicine to more children and families across Canada.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Shape Financial Strategy: Lead budgeting, forecasting, multi-year financial planning, and financial modelling. Translate insights into scenarios and recommendations that guide sustainable, mission-aligned decisions over a three-to-five-year time horizon.
Steward Assets and Investments: Oversee financial assets, treasury, and investment portfolio performance in accordance with policy, ensuring disciplined stewardship and informed decision-making.
Strengthen Governance and Reporting: Provide clear financial reporting to the Board of Directors and Senior Leadership Team, support the Finance & Audit Committee, and ensure sound governance, audit readiness, and compliance with CRA and other regulatory obligations.
Advance Enterprise Risk Management: Maintain the enterprise risk register, strengthen internal controls, and lead business continuity and disaster recovery planning to protect the organization's assets, reputation, and long-term sustainability.
Modernize Financial Capability: Build stronger modelling, analytics, systems, and processes that improve forecasting, performance visibility, operational efficiency, and organizational decision-making.
Lead Business Services: Oversee property management, leases, contracts, insurance, and related business services. Balance operational efficiency and financial sustainability with investments in organizational capability and a safe, supportive workplace.
Oversee Gift and Donation Administration: Ensure sound systems and processes for restricted giving, endowments, estates, and other complex giving structures, coordinating closely with development teams to support stewardship and compliance.
Advise and Partner: Serve as a trusted advisor to the Senior Vice President, Transformation & Operations, the CEO, and leadership colleagues on finance, risk, and business operations. Bring an enterprise lens to strategic planning and execution.
Guide and Develop Talent: Build, coach, and lead a high-performing Finance and Business Operations team, creating clarity, accountability, collaboration, and opportunities for growth.
Champion One Team Leadership: Model One Mission, One Team leadership by working across functions and geographies, breaking down silos, celebrating collective wins, and leading with empathy, inclusion, accountability, and purpose.
Represent the Mission: Act as a visible and trusted ambassador with auditors, advisors, donors, partners, community leaders, and other stakeholders, supporting the Foundation's presence and mission across Canada.
WHAT YOU BRING
You're a strategic finance leader who pairs sound technical judgment with business curiosity and a hands-on approach. You move with ease between long-term vision and operational detail, helping leaders see the story behind the numbers and make bold, disciplined choices that bring the power of wishes to more children.
Proven Financial Leadership: 10+ years of progressive leadership in nonprofit financial management, with a track record of stewarding complex budgets, investments, assets, and financial operations in service of a bigger mission.
Strategic Insight: Demonstrated strength in financial planning, forecasting, scenario analysis, and investment and treasury management, building the modelling capability that connects strategy, data, and execution.
Strong Credentials: A CPA designation, supported by a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related field, equipping you to lead with rigour and credibility.
Governance and Compliance Expertise: Advanced knowledge of nonprofit financial management, CRA requirements, GAAP, audits, internal controls, insurance, and board and committee governance - the discipline that protects trust in our mission.
Enterprise Risk and Business Operations Excellence: Experience in enterprise risk management, business continuity, procurement, contracts, property, insurance, and service delivery across a national or multi-site organization, building a resilient foundation for growth.
Gift Administration Knowledge: Experience overseeing restricted giving, endowments, estates, and other complex donation structures, with a deep understanding of donor stewardship and the financial processing that honours every gift.
Collaborative People Leadership: A track record of recruiting, coaching, and developing multidisciplinary teams, building trust across functions and rallying people around shared goals.
Clear and Credible Communication: The ability to turn complex financial and risk information into practical insight for executives, board members, auditors, volunteers, donors, and cross-functional partners.
Inspiring, Values-Driven Leadership: Deep alignment with our mission and a commitment to responsible stewardship, inclusion, and collaboration - a spirit that motivates teams, breaks down silos, and creates life-changing experiences for children and families facing critical illnesses.
HOW TO APPLY
If everything you've read so far sounds like you, we encourage you to apply. Please visit the Make-A-Wish Canada candidate portal for current posting details and the application deadline.
