Director of Finance- Closes Jan 4

The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass is Canada's southerly traveled corridor of the Rocky Mountains and is historically known for its scenic land of forests and peaks. Nestled in the southwest corner of Alberta, Crowsnest Pass offers all the amenities you need to live, work and play. Friendly people, good facilities, great restaurants, amazing outdoor recreation and services for an excellent quality of life.

The Municipality is recruiting for a Director of Finance. This is an exciting role in a vibrant and growing mountain community. Are you passionate about financial management in local government? Do you have a CPA designation and strong foundation of related experience, including a minimum of five years in progressive management? If so, keep reading to learn more about the role. 

Director of Finance

REPORTS TO: Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

REVISION DATE: November 2025     

(This is an in office position)        

Position Summary

The Director of Finance leads the Municipality in achieving its strategic goals and objectives through guiding municipal staff and Council in the effective management of municipal funds. The incumbent is a senior leader in the organization responsible for the professional leadership of key functions including finance, asset management and information technology services.

Core Areas of Responsibility

1. Governance:

• Assist and strategically support the Chief Administrative Officer and Administrative Team in all matters relating to the operations of the Municipality in accordance with legislation and established policies and practices.
• Establish the department business plan and facilitating departmental goals and actions that compliment and support the Municipal Mission and Vision.
• Attend Council meetings as the financial leader in the organization.
• Provides oversight of the Finance Department including hiring, promoting, succession planning, goal setting, information sharing, training and performance evaluation in consultation with the Manger of Finance.
• Approve and directly supervises the work and activities undertaken by consulting and contract service providers for the Finance Department.
• Responsible to build and foster lasting relationships with other departments, key business partners and government agencies.
• Develop and review financial polices to support effective financial stewardship in the Municipality.

2. Finance:

• Develop and implement appropriate financial systems, policies, practices and controls to ensure the prudent management and timely reporting of all municipal funding and disbursements.
• Direct and support the development and implementation of the 3-year budget process and assist departments with the development of capital and operating plans relative to 3-year budgeting.
• Analyze and provide strategic recommendations regarding financial reports relative to budget variance and financial forecasting.
• Oversee management of treasury functions relating to cash flows, investments, debt, and reserves in accordance with established policies and practices.
• Responsible for the presentation of financial statements and variance reports to Council as required.
• Facilitate the year-end financial audit process including actuarial reporting.
• Oversee application and reporting of grant programs in collaboration with the manager and other departments.
• Acts as a signing officer for the Municipality.
• Responsible for the procurement of banking, auditing, assessment and actuarial services.
• Responsible for the integrated services of warehouse operations and inventory management.

3. Information Technology and Communications Systems:

• Develop strategic goals and actions to allow the Municipality to operate and communicate internally and externally efficiently and effectively through its technical and communication systems.
• Coordinate with all departments to facilitate technology as a means to fully integrate all Municipal operations and communications.
• Responsible for the procurement of service delivery for information technology and communication systems.
• Implement a lifecycle program for all hardware.

4. Asset Management and Tangible Capital Asset

• Leads asset management in collaboration and consultation with Operations, Engineering and Transportation.
• Builds and streamlines asset management system to ensure the municipality can guide council decision making and support access to provincial infrastructure dollars.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Strong working knowledge of financial reporting, controls and experience in an accounting environment at a professional level.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written, to interact with public, staff, and external agencies.
• Competent working knowledge and proficiency of compatible computer systems/software such as Microsoft Office and Microsoft Dynamics/Diamond software systems.
• Knowledge of financial systems including property tax and assessment, utility structures, cash flow, debt, investment, risk management and insurance.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and within a team environment.
• Municipal experience including competent working knowledge of bylaws, regulations and legislation.
• Management experience in a unionized environment would be an asset
• Analytical with strong facilitation and influencing skills.
• Labour relations experience in a unionized environment.
• Knowledge of emergency preparedness and response.

Education and Experience

1. Post-secondary degree in Finance or Business Administration.
2. Professional accounting designation (CPA).
3. A minimum of five years of progressive finance experience in a management capacity.
4. In depth knowledge and application of financial practices, standards and guidelines including the Municipal Government Act.

Competencies and Behaviours

•  Leadership Skills:  Provides leadership while giving guidance and support. Mentors and is a positive role model who has the ability to communicate potential opportunities to departments while empowering staff and incorporating the views of others.
• Management Skills:  A proven record of being able to motivate, plan, direct and evaluate people and activities of a broad based municipal organization.  The ability to manage effectively while maintaining a friendly approachable attitude.
• Financial Management:  Leads with a strong sense of service delivery while integrating financial planning, budgeting, and management reporting.
• Communication Skills:  A clear, concise and positive communicator who is able to build trust through presenting ideas clearly while effectively listening to others.  Demonstrates a strong ability to work effectively within a public sector environment and is politically astute.
• Flexible and Adaptive:  The ability to demonstrate flexibility and openness to changes in work, personal or team responsibilities or portfolios.
• Strong Service Delivery:  Ability to prioritize and provide excellent service delivery to internal customers such as the Director, CAO and Department Heads by handing concerns, and assisting with budgeting and financial reporting that meets their needs within legislative requirements. 
• Contract Management:  A confident systems management approach to alternative program and service delivery styles including contract negotiation, management and quality service evaluation.
• Organizational Skills:  Able to simplify often complex administrative and service matters, an ability to separate important issues and prioritize work initiatives.
• Pragmatic Decision-Maker:  Believes in involving people in processes to establish priorities and show sensitivity to changing approaches.  Show strong common sense and intuitive judgment abilities.
• Conflict Resolution: Able to develop proactive solutions through the use of interest based negotiations demonstrating strong conflict resolution skills.

The Municipality of Crowsnest Pass offers an engaging work environment, competitive salary, paid days off, full benefit package including participation in the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP) defined benefit pension plan.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.