POSITION DETAILS: FULL TIME PERMANENT POSITION

Position title: Controller, Regional (MB/SK)
Taking care of our environment has never been more important than it is today. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is looking for a Controller, Regional to join a team committed to protecting our most important natural areas and the plants and animals they sustain.
NCC is the nation’s leading not-for-profit, private land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, we have brought people together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares across Canada. NCC takes a collaborative, evidence-based approach to achieve conservation success for the sake of nature and Canadians. With a national office in Toronto and seven regional offices across the country, NCC delivers results you can walk on.
NCC recognizes that we work on lands that have long been cared for by Indigenous Peoples under their own laws and knowledge systems. We are committed to transforming how we do our work, advancing Reconciliation through conservation, and working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful, respectful, and supportive ways.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Regional Controller is responsible for managing the financial activities of NCC’s Manitoba and Saskatchewan Operating Units. This includes financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance with accounting regulations. The Regional Controller reports directly to the Director, Finance Operations and will be the regional liaison with the Regional Vice Presidents and operating units and central finance of NCC with respect to financial information and reporting. The Regional Controller sits on the Senior Management Teams within the Operating Units and ensures financial literacy of the entire team. The Regional Controller manages and leads a financial team of 4 members. The primary outcome of this role is to ensure the financial stability and growth of the organization’s regional operations, which in turn contributes to the fulfillment of NCC’s overall vision and mandate by enabling the effective allocation of resources and funding for regional projects and initiatives.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Accounting designation, CPA
• University degree in related discipline
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated management and leadership experience within a complex work environment, including responsibility for overseeing a team, managing multifaceted projects, and implementing strategic initiatives and complex projects
• Experience in all accounting areas including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivables, Land Purchase, Fund Accounting, Projects Accounting, Grant Reporting and Financial Statement Analysis

• Financial Reporting and Analysis: The regional controller must ensure accurate and timely financial reporting to maintain the trust of donors and stakeholders. This includes the preparation of quarterly, and annual financial statements, monthly analysis of financial data to identify trends, and development of financial forecasts and projections. This responsibility also includes ensuring compliance with accounting principles and regulatory requirements. Accurate financial reporting is essential to making informed decisions about program priorities and resource allocation.
• Oversight of Grant Management and Compliance: Managing external donor funding is a critical responsibility for the regional controller. This includes reviewing funding proposals, ensuring compliance with grant requirements, monitoring grant spending, preparing financial reports for donors, and coordinating with program managers to ensure that grant activities align with financial goals. The controller will have good working knowledge of available funding to leverage funds to maximise outcomes. Effective grant management is essential to maintaining donor relationships, securing future funding, and achieving program goals.
• Budgeting and Planning: The regional controller is responsible for developing and managing budgets for the region and program activities. This includes collaborating with the regional senior management teams for the budget and program managers for the program budgets to set budgetary goals, tracking expenses, and monitoring variances between actual and budgeted spending. Additionally, a regional controller is responsible for developing long-term financial plans and providing strategic financial guidance to senior management. Effective budgeting and planning are essential to achieving program goals and ensuring financial sustainability.
• Team Management and Development: The regional controller is responsible for managing their finance team, overseeing day-to-day accounting activities, and providing guidance and direction to team members. This includes recruiting, hiring, and training staff, conducting performance evaluations, and providing ongoing coaching and development opportunities to team members. Effective team management and development are essential to maintaining a strong financial function and ensuring the effective use of resources.
• Leadership and Strategic Thinking: As part of the regional leadership team, the regional controller envisions the big picture, analyzes, and implements plans that align with the long-term goals and vision of the organization. These are crucial skills to create a competitive edge, foster innovation, and adapt to changing environments.
• Internal Controls and Compliance: Ensure the organization’s financial policies and procedures are in compliance with internal and external regulatory requirements. This includes developing and implementing internal control systems, managing risk, and conducting regular internal reviews to identify potential areas of financial risk or exposure. Strong internal controls and compliance are essential to maintaining donor trust and ensuring the effective use of resources.
• Other Duties: The regional controller may be required to perform other duties or projects as assigned. These may include ad-hoc financial analysis, reviews of agreements, financial commitments and contracts to be issued by the region before finalization, project management, or other tasks related to financial operations and reporting. The time spent on these responsibilities will vary depending on the needs of the region.