Located east of the Rocky Mountains, the region is defined by rolling hills, expansive grain fields, and cattle farms, with approximately 40% of British Columbia’s Agricultural Land Reserve situated within its boundaries. The Peace River flows west to east through the eastern portion of the district, supporting both agriculture and communities. The region’s economy is strongly influenced by agriculture, energy (including oil, gas, and hydroelectric development), and forestry, requiring a balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship.
The Peace River Regional District (“PRRD”) was established in 1987. Today, it covers the largest geography of any BC regional district, spanning roughly 120,000 square kilometres. It serves a population of approximately 60,000 residents across seven incorporated municipalities and four rural electoral areas. Like all regional districts in British Columbia, the PRRD functions as the local government for unincorporated areas, provides a collaborative governance framework for municipalities and electoral areas to deliver shared services, and acts as the regional service body responsible for delivering key services, such as land use planning, emergency management, solid waste, and recreation and advancing initiatives that support long-term sustainability, resiliency, and quality of life across the region. The PRRD currently provides 60 services with more on the horizon. It has experienced strong growth and is in a solid financial position with a budget of $130M. PRRD employs 70 people is embarking on exciting new capital projects to support its growth.
The Peace River Regional Hospital District falls under the purview of PRRD and plays a vital role in strengthening healthcare across northeastern British Columbia by funding hospital infrastructure, medical equipment, and facility upgrades. It works in partnership with provincial health authorities to ensure residents have access to safe, modern, and reliable care close to home.
To learn more, please visit Peace River Regional District’s website.
THE OPPORTUNITY: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
The PRRD is eager to welcome an enthusiastic, motivated, and team-orientated individual for the full time Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position in the Dawson Creek office, reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer. The position will oversee a team of eight employees and a budget of $130M. In addition to participating in the strategic oversight of the organization and functional portfolio, this role will be closely involved in the exciting new capital and infrastructure projects currently underway. The CFO also oversees the financial elements related to the Peace River Regional Hospital District, with a current budget of $130M.
Key Accountabilities:
As a key member of the PRRD senior management team, the CFO performs all the statutory duties as required in the Local Government Act. Additional key accountabilities include:
- Delivers comprehensive accounting and financial services developing budgetary systems and preparing the financial plan;
- Translates budgets into Regional District tax rates for each municipal and electoral area;
- Manages all aspects of the finance department including the selection and supervision, coaching and developing, performance management and all other people management practices;
- Collaborates with the Board, and other departments in identifying and acquiring grant fund opportunities;
- Prepares and presents a variety of reports to the Board including quarterly updates on accounts and financial performance;
- Oversees the procurement, implementation and evaluation of financial accounting and integrative software to align with the requirements of PRRD.
THE PERSON:
The Chief Financial Officer of the Peace River Regional District should be a strategic, community-minded financial leader who combines technical excellence with a strong sense of public accountability. The CFO should have deep expertise in local government finance, long-term capital planning, and regulatory compliance, paired with the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to elected officials, staff, and residents. The CFO should be forward-thinking and adaptable, capable of guiding the organization through economic fluctuations, infrastructure demands, and rural service delivery challenges unique to the region. Equally important is a collaborative and ethical leadership style, someone who builds trust, supports transparent decision-making, and aligns financial stewardship with the district’s broader goals of sustainable growth, fiscal responsibility, and community well-being.
Qualifications:
- The ideal candidate will have a post-secondary degree in finance-related discipline and possess a professional accounting designation (CPA);
- Several years of progressive leadership experience in a unionized local government environment, preferably a regional district;
- Experience with Vadim or other local government financial software plus sound knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation; and,
- An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Core Competencies:
- Decision Making - Obtains information; identifies key issues and implications to make informed, objective decisions.
- Communication - Provides regular, consistent and relevant information to others and ensures appropriate individuals are informed; listens carefully to others, asks questions or clarification and responds thoughtfully; communicates in a clear and concise manner using appropriate content, style and method of communication to suit the needs of the individual or audience.
- External and Organizational Awareness - Identifies and understands how internal and external issues (e.g. economic, political, social trends) impact the work of Peace River Regional District.
- Influencing and Negotiating - Uses persuasion to gain the support and cooperation from stakeholders, superiors, colleagues, subordinates and other parties to achieve a desired course of action consistent with Peace River Regional District’s goals and objectives.
- Professional Integrity - Displays and promotes conduct and behaviours consistent with Peace River Regional District’s standards.
- Innovation - Develops new insights into situations and applies different and novel solutions to make improvements.
- Leadership - Assumes responsibility for establishing clear team vision, goals and objectives; supports and motivates the delivery of high performance; enables direct reports in capacity and career development.
- Change Leadership - Takes responsibility for leading, directing and managing organizational change.
- Occupational Health and Safety - Applies knowledge of occupational health and safety principles and practices at Peace River Regional District.
- Customer Service - Demonstrates commitment to public service, serves and satisfies internal and external customers, holds themselves accountable for quality outcomes.
- Relationship Building and Management - Develops and maintains effective relationships with others, relates well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations, show understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy and politeness.
COMPENSATION:
A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary range of $146,196 - $171,996 and excellent benefits. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.
To apply: Please email us a cover letter and resume (PDF or Word document only – preferably in one document) and indicate the role title along with the name of the organization in the subject line.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Robin Noftall or Greg Longster
LEADERS INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH
1160 - 595 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2T5
Phone: (604) 688-8422
Email: [email protected]
