Director of Finance-External

Director of Finance

Helmets to Hardhats Canada
• Ottawa, Ontario
• Full-Time | Permanent
• In-Office (5 Days per Week)

Helmets to Hardhats Canada is a national nonprofit organization connecting transitioning Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and reservists with meaningful careers in Canada’s unionized construction industry.

With a team of 12 staff and approximately $3 million in annual revenue, Helmets to Hardhats Canada is entering a new phase of growth. The Executive Director is seeking a senior finance leader to take full ownership of the finance function, strengthen infrastructure, and help build the financial foundation for long‑term expansion.

This is an opportunity to shape and modernize a mission‑driven organization at a pivotal stage.

Reports to:

Executive Director

This role combines strategic leadership with hands‑on execution.

• Own the finance function end‑to‑end
• Serve as the primary financial partner to the Executive Director
• Lead modernization of systems, processes, and reporting
• Provide forward‑looking financial insight to support growth
• Oversee payroll and regulatory compliance
• Supervise 1–2 finance‑adjacent staff

Initially, this position requires full in‑office presence to stabilize and strengthen systems. Future flexibility toward hybrid or remote work may be considered once infrastructure and processes are firmly established.

• Oversee full‑cycle accounting and financial operations
• Remain hands‑on in day‑to‑day accounting, including reconciliations, journal entries, and active participation in the month‑end close process
• Prepare timely monthly and annual financial statements
• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and multi‑year financial planning
• Manage cash flow planning and funding oversight
• Coordinate year‑end audit and act as primary liaison to external auditors
• Design and strengthen internal controls appropriate for a growing nonprofit

• Oversee payroll processing and statutory remittances
• Ensure compliance with government, funding, and statutory reporting requirements

• Evaluate and redesign finance workflows
• Implement scalable systems and reporting tools
• Improve financial transparency for leadership and board reporting
• Build infrastructure that supports organizational growth

• Translate financial results into clear operational insight
• Support strategic decisions with data‑driven analysis
• Promote financial discipline and accountability across the organization

• CPA designation preferred
• Significant progressive accounting experience (typically 7+ years)
• Experience in nonprofit, government‑funded, or grant environments considered an asset
• Demonstrated success modernizing finance systems and processes
• Comfortable operating independently in a lean organization
• Structured, pragmatic, and solutions‑oriented
• Strong communicator capable of supporting non‑financial stakeholders

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada.

Salary Range: $120,000 – $145,000 (commensurate with experience)

Employment Type:

Full‑Time, Permanent
Benefits:
Comprehensive health and benefits package (details to be discussed)
Vacation:
Competitive paid vacation entitlement

Start Date:

To be determined