The Municipality of North Cowichan (population 31,990) is located in the beautiful Cowichan Valley on Southern Vancouver Island, between Nanaimo and Victoria. Our communities of Chemainus, Crofton, Maple Bay and the South End are home to a multitude of artistic, cultural and outdoor recreational activities. The Municipality provides a stable and varied work environment, competitive pay and benefits.
The Municipality of North Cowichan invites applications from candidates with the proven skills, qualifications and abilities for the position of Manager, Financial Operations. Reporting to the Director of Financial Services, this role supports the timely and accurate flow of budget information, financial planning, analysis, and decision‑making across all departments, with a focus on efficiency, effectiveness, and strategic planning. Key responsibilities include budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, performance reporting, and short‑ and long‑range scenario planning, including but not limited to:
- Plays a key role in the development of the Capital Plan, performance measurement and metrics, as well as service plans.
- Leads the delivery of capital and operating budgets, forecasting and analysis, and monthly and quarterly reporting processes.
- Provides planning support and analytical guidance to the Director, ensuring planning activities align with the organization’s strategic direction.
- Works collaboratively with the team on the audit process, ensuring interim and final phases are completed on time and assisting with the coordination and preparation of required documentation.
- Develops and updates planning and reporting policies to ensure alignment with best practices and organizational requirements.
- Collaborates with the Asset Manager to prepare asset‑management financial models and contribute to long‑range capital planning.
- Supervises accounts payable staff and the switchboard, ensuring effective workflow, service delivery, and day‑to‑day operational support.
- Prepare and coordinate statutory annual reports to ensure full compliance with municipal, provincial, and federal requirements, delivering accurate documentation within mandated deadlines.
- Ability to develop clear, accessible communication materials that influence internal stakeholders and management by translating complex information into easily understood messages.
- Strong organizational and project‑management abilities, capable of handling multiple concurrent tasks and shifting priorities.
- Manages the full grant lifecycle, including tracking funding, monitoring reporting deadlines, ensuring compliance requirements are met, and processing revenue deferrals as required.
- Creates high‑quality content for Council reports and presentations, simplifying financial data for informed decision‑making.
- Other related duties as required
Required Skills, Qualifications, and Abilities:
- Possession of or working toward a professional accounting designation (e.g. CPA) or equivalent experience may be considered.
- A minimum of five years of progressive, diversified accounting experience, including demonstrable expertise in developing and maintaining multi‑year financial models within the public sector.
- Strong leadership skills with experience guiding staff in a unionized workplace, promoting teamwork, clear communication, and consistent performance standards.
- Experience applying legislative frameworks and political awareness to complex financial and organizational issues.
- Ability to analyze complex issues and apply sound, independent judgment to resolve problems within your area of expertise.
- Applicants must possess excellent planning, analytical, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
- Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to exercise sound discretion when handling sensitive financial information.
- Experience with Municipal software (Vadim, Tempest, Caseware, and Questica) is preferred.
A competitive salary and comprehensive benefit package is offered. This position is excluded from union membership. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a police information check.
To Apply
Learn more about our application process and apply online at www.northcowichan.ca/careers. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email to complete an assessment. All candidates must apply online; we do not accept resumes via email or hard copy.
