Careers

Director of Finance & Operations

Posted on: August 14, 2025
  • Location: National LC Office in Markham, Ontario, Hybrid
  • Job Type: Full-time, Contract

About Liver Canada

Founded in 1969 by a group of doctors and business leaders concerned about the increasing incidence of liver disease, Liver Canada (LC) was the first organization in the world devoted to providing support for research and education into the causes, diagnoses, prevention, and treatment of all liver disease. We resonate as the anthem for liver health, uplifting millions of Canadians on every twist and turn of their health journey. Whether it’s a day of challenge or celebration, we stand unwaveringly by their side. Our community health programs are not just ventures but visions of hope, and our innovative research seeks to craft a tomorrow free from liver disease.

The fuel behind our mission? Teamwork, dedication, and a vision for constant evolution. We are an innovative team, shaping change through close collaborations, internally and with partners. We are committed to develop our people professionally and individually. Our conducive work environment and culture empowers our people to stay healthy and well.

Please apply via hr@liver.caWe thank all applicants; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Employment Opportunity Overview

Liver Canada is seeking a hands-on Director of Finance & Operations to lead a transformation of our financial operations. This is an opportunity for an energetic finance leader who excels at building structure, discipline, and reliability within a complex, resource-constrained nonprofit environment.

You will play a pivotal role in establishing foundational systems and processes, introducing best practices, and building a culture of financial stewardship and transparency. The successful candidate will demonstrate strategic insight, operational rigor, and the ability to collaborate and communicate with diverse stakeholders, from board members to Regional teams.

In a nonprofit charity, a Director of Finance and Opps role is crucial for ensuring financial health, transparency, and compliance, ultimately supporting the organization’s mission. Unlike for-profit entities, nonprofits prioritize mission fulfillment over profit generation. The finance function in a nonprofit is typically a team effort, involving various individuals and committees with distinct responsibilities.

This role will work collaboratively to manage financial operations, from day-to-day transactions to strategic financial planning and oversight.

The Director of Finance & Operations will be a strategic financial leader. Their primary focus is financial strategy, including leading the annual operating budget creation, forecasting cash flows, establishing financial policies and internal controls, and managing the systems that overlap. The Director of Finance & Operations also manages funding sources, ensuring compliance with CRA and tax laws and overseeing diverse revenue streams like donor funds, in-kind giving, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events. The candidate will play a critical role in managing outside relationships with CPA firms, banks, and investment advisors, and will be the financial face of the organization.

If you thrive on the challenge of leading finance through change and take pride in delivering stability and confidence to organizations in transition, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities & Accountabilities (but are not limited to):

Financial Operations & Controls

  • Provide end-to-end oversight of accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and banking.
  • Design, implement, and document robust standard operating procedures (SOPs) to strengthen internal controls.
  • Introduce and maintain monthly closing routines and rigorous reconciliation processes.
  • Ensure appropriate approvals, audit trails, and separation of duties, even in a lean staffing environment.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

  • Prepare accurate, timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; deliver actionable analysis to leadership and the Board.
  • Lead the annual audit process and serve as the primary liaison with external auditors.
  • Ensure full compliance with all CRA, provincial, and sector-specific regulations, including payroll, GST/HST, and T3010 filings.

Budgeting, Planning & Analysis

  • Lead and coordinate the annual budgeting process, working collaboratively with all departments and regions.
  • Monitor and report on actual vs. budget results; provide insightful variance analysis to guide decision-making.
  • Develop and implement new budgeting tools and documentation to drive financial discipline.

Restricted Funds, Grants, and Trusts

  • Oversee the administration and compliance of restricted and trust funds, establishing clear processes for tracking, allocation, and reporting.
  • Work with program managers to ensure accurate use of funds and alignment with donor and grantor requirements.
  • Build confidence among internal and external stakeholders through transparent, accurate fund management.

Team Leadership & Change Management

  • Develop, mentor, and support finance/admin staff (as applicable) in adopting new processes and higher standards of accountability.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and financial stewardship across the organization.
  • Act as a key change agent, engaging colleagues at all levels to support a sustainable transformation.

Technology and External Partnerships

  • Assess current technology platforms (e.g., GL, payroll, Excel, banking portals) and identify opportunities for practical improvements.
  • Manage relationships with external payroll providers, and auditors to augment internal capacity as needed.
  • Ensure that all technology and vendor processes are documented for sustainability and knowledge transfer.
  • Ensure seamless communication between the charity’s financial system and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system Blackbaud Raisers Edge
  • Ensure operational efficiency, improved decision-making, and enhanced customer experience through systems integration between the CRM and accounting software combines
  • Ensure optimal security and privacy with all financial data and customer data
  • Ensure privacy, financial and data laws are in compliance with current laws both provincially and nationally

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to integrate into various business functions, finance departments can expect a significant transformation in the overall accounting landscape. In this role we welcome a candidate that understands this shift and is open to understanding how AI can help improve the business functions of charity and help with the strategic direction financial data, analytics and system processes.

Board and Leadership Engagement

  • Prepare and present clear, strategic financial reports and dashboards to the Board and senior management.
  • Provide guidance and recommendations to support sound financial policy development and risk management.
  • Contribute to strengthening the organization’s overall governance framework.

Qualifications & Core Competencies

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA or progress toward designation preferred).
  • Minimum 5 years of financial management experience, ideally in the nonprofit/charity sector or a similarly complex environment.
  • Proven track record of transforming disorganized finance environments by establishing structure, clear accountability, and reliable financial systems.
  • Strong working knowledge of Canadian nonprofit accounting standards and CRA regulatory requirements.
  • Demonstrated expertise in implementing internal controls, documenting processes, and leading organizations through financial modernization.
  • Advanced proficiency with accounting software, payroll platforms, and Excel.
  • Exceptional integrity, resilience, and sound judgment; comfortable operating in ambiguous and unstructured contexts.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to engage effectively with staff, board members, funders, and auditors.
  • Collaborative leadership style, with a capacity for influence and organizational change management.
  • Competent in French (an asset)

Benefits of Employment:

  • Flexible working hours and hybrid work environment
  • 3 weeks of vacation
  • Eligible to enroll in Health benefits (after 3 months of employment)
  • Extended Summer Hours – 4 extended long weekends (Friday – Monday) from Victoria Day to Labour Day
  • 12 sick/personal days per year (not bankable)
  • Week between Christmas and New Year’s Office Closure: paid days off
  • In addition to statutory and provincial holidays, paid days off for Easter Monday, Remembrance Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Liver Canada is an equal opportunity organization committed to diversity and inclusion; we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, including persons with disabilities, racialized, indigenous persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation, and newcomers. We provide accommodation at all stages of the selection process and through employment in accordance with the Human Rights Code and AODA.

We, at LC, are extremely passionate about our common mandate and we believe that each of our team members contributes in their own specific role to reach that goal and we strongly encourage individuals with lived-in experience and those that have faced barriers to apply for this position.