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Job Title: Head of Finance and Administration Department: Finance and Administration Report to : President and CEO Salary Range : $110,000 to $130,000 Hiring Zone : $115,000 to $125,000 Location: Hybrid Status: Full-Time About the Canadian Urban Institute The Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) is the heart of Canadian city building. We are a collaborative and inclusive platform where policymakers, urban professionals, leaders, activists, and academics from diverse backgrounds come together to shape vibrant and equitable urban communities across Canada. Position Overview The Head of Finance and Administration is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of the Canadian Urban Institutes financial and administrative functions. This role ensures strong financial stewardship, effective organizational systems, and operational excellence in support of the organizations mission and strategic priorities. As a member of the senior leadership team, this role works closely with the President and CEO to support strategic decision-making, financial sustainability, and organizational effectiveness. This role provides leadership across finance, operations, and administration and ensures the organization maintains strong internal controls and efficient systems. This role plays a key role in organizational planning and supports a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Key Areas of Responsibility Organizational Leadership Serve as a member of the senior leadership team. Contribute to organizational strategy and planning. Support the President and CEO in advancing organizational priorities. Provide leadership on organizational effectiveness and sustainability. Translate strategic priorities into operational and financial plans. Lead cross-functional initiatives that strengthen organizational capacity. Support a collaborative and inclusive organizational culture. Financial Strategy and Stewardship Provide strategic financial leadership to support long-term sustainability. Lead financial planning, forecasting, cash flow modelling and budgeting. Develop multi-year financial projections and scenario planning. Advise the President and CEO and senior leadership on financial strategy. Identify risks and opportunities and recommend solutions. Ensure appropriate allocation of organizational resources. Financial Operations Oversee and undertake all internal financial operations including: accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, accounts payable and receivable, payroll oversight. Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting. Monitor financial performance and provide analysis and recommendations. Ensure integrity of financial systems and records. Oversee the annual audit and year-end financial statements. Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements. Maintain effective internal controls and financial policies. Prepare and analyze regular budget-to-actual reports, cash flow projections, and variance analyses while reviewing program expenditures. Provide financial analyses, reports, and forecasts to senior management. Advise management in financial decision-making and systems development and improvement. Oversee and advise on risk management, guarantee compliance with all relevant regulations by ensuring that all program-related functions are conducted in compliance with regulations of CRA and other agencies to which CUI is accountable. Ensure the accuracy CUIs general ledger (GL) including recording and reviewing day-to-day financial transactions. Liaising with the relevant internal and external partners on integrating the management of all project finances ensuring effective use of resources to achieve program objectives in compliance with all funder requirements and contribution agreements. Responsible for preparing the year-end financials and audits, preparing various audit schedules, and obtaining year-end audit confirmations from third parties, as requested by the auditors. Assist with data entry, filing tax returns, as well as ad-hoc report preparation as requested. Respond promptly to all inquiries and requests for documentation. Organizational Operations Organizational policies and procedures Contracts and agreements Procurement Facilities coordination (as applicable) Systems and Processes Lead continuous improvement of organizational systems. Identify opportunities to increase efficiency. Support digital transformation and systems integration. Human Resources Partnership Support organizational workforce planning. Oversee administrative aspects of HR systems and processes. Support development and implementation of HR policies. Ensure compliance with employment standards and regulations. Support organizational health and employee experience. Grants and Program Finance Oversee financial management of grants and contribution agreements. Ensure compliance with funder requirements. Support development of program budgets. Provide guidance to program teams on financial management. Ensure accurate and timely funder reporting. Strengthen financial management practices across programs. Governance and Board Relations Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board Finance and Audit Committee. Prepare Board financial reports and materials. Present financial information to the Board and committees. Support the Boards oversight responsibilities. Ensure transparency and accountability. Lead and support finance and administrative staff. Build a strong and collaborative team. Establish clear goals and expectations. Support staff development and learning. Foster a positive and inclusive work environment. Promote accountability and continuous improvement. Qualifications and Experience Education Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field. CPA designation strongly preferred. Experience 8-10+ years of progressive experience in finance and operations. Experience in the nonprofit or public sector strongly preferred. Experience working with Boards and committees. Experience overseeing audits and financial reporting. Experience with grants and contribution agreements. Experience managing organizational operations. Technical Knowledge Nonprofit accounting standards Financial planning and analysis Internal controls Regulatory compliance Experience with cloud-based systems preferred, such as: Accounting software Payroll systems Expense management tools Financial reporting tools Specific platforms currently used within CUI includeQuickbooks, DEXT, Ceridian, and Plooto. Strategic Thinking Sees the big picture and connects finance to mission. Anticipates future needs and challenges. Supports informed decision-making. Organizational Leadership Builds effective systems and processes. Leads change and improvement. Strong financial analysis skills. Ability to translate financial information into insights. Commitment to stewardship and accountability. Communication Communicates clearly and effectively. Presents complex information in accessible ways. Builds strong relationships across the organization. Equity and Inclusion Demonstrates commitment to equity and inclusion. Supports inclusive organizational practices. Promotes respectful and collaborative workplaces. Personal Attributes Sound judgment and integrity. Collaborative and approachable. Solutions-oriented. Highly organized. Adaptable and flexible. Strong attention to detail. Work Settings and Conditions This is a flexible position (hybrid or remote) and requires the ability to work during regular business hours (ie.: 9:00am 5:00pm ET Monday to Friday), with the ability to work flexible hours from time to time. Diversity & Inclusion The Canadian Urban Institute is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We place high value on diversity and encourage applications from all equity-deserving groups. We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us and we will arrange for accommodation. Compensation Salary range is $110,000 to $130,000 and commensurate with experience. CUI offers a competitive benefits package including four weeks of paid vacation, and two additional weeks annually when our offices close to support time for family and community time. Apply today! Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to [email protected] with your full name and Head of Finance & Administration in the subject line by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern) on April 5, 2026. Please include where you found this posting. No telephone inquiries please. CUI thanks all applicants for their interest. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information about CUI visit www.canurb.org . #J-18808-Ljbffr