Director, Corporate Services

Director, Corporate Services

Lethbridge County, AB

Lethbridge County is looking for its next Director, Corporate Services, who can build on the strong foundation already in place. The Director is responsible for the financial leadership, accounting and reporting functions of Lethbridge County, ensuring County finances are managed in a fiscally responsible and transparent manner. The ideal candidate is a finance professional that will serve as a strategic partner to both Council and Administration. This Director must see the “big picture” and be able to tie the financial processes to the broader business plan, guiding the Senior Leadership Team to build a financial plan and narrative for Council and the community.

The Director is responsible for coordination of the budget process, long-term financial planning and reporting requirements as well as risk management and the development and monitoring of control systems. The key to success is a smooth integration with the County’s Strategic Plan and aligning financial goals with the business plan. This position also provides strategic leadership and oversight for all financial and accounting operational functions, including budget strategy and management, analysis, financial forecasting, sustainability and reporting.

This position will develop, evaluate and make recommendations on financial policy regarding the various operational systems and procedures of the County and is accountable for the design and implementation of control procedures for all County assets, as well as the secure and effective investment of County funds.

The Director must be strategic in their thinking, understand the nuances of relationships and most importantly anticipate the needs of the CAO and Council as they work for the communities we serve. The most important competencies for this role are:

Strategic planning

Political acumen, diplomacy and confidentiality
Problem solving & sound decision making at a strategic leadership level
Highly developed interpersonal skills
Highly developed communication & presentation skills
Analysis and attention to detail
Change management

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee the County’s overall financial management activities, including budgeting, reporting, accounting, payroll and assessment.
• Align the County’s financial plans with the business plans approved by Council.
• Produce financial statements as required by Provincial statute; produce monthly financial statements and reports required by the County.
• Prepare and control the annual budget with input from all departments and produce a year-end statement showing the results in relation to the budgeted revenues and expenditures for the year.
• Act as a resource to all departments on financial and accounting matters.
• Administer the County’s system of accounting for all receipts and disbursements of the County; develop, coordinate and implement accounting systems and procedures.
• Oversee: bank reconciliations, inventory oversight.
• Perform cash flow analysis; prepare year-end working papers and statements for annual audit.
• Lead, train and develop direct reports and monitors their performance.
• Attend regular Council meetings, prepare reports, review agendas and acts on motions of Council.
• Work with the Assessor to adjust tax rates to achieve budget priorities and update tax bylaws annually.
• Inform Council quarterly regarding financial situation and monitor significant expenditures or extraordinary financial events.
• Complete various Federal financial statistics reports and GST rebate claims; administer financial records for the Lethbridge Regional Waste Services Commission and Lethbridge Regional Water Services Commission.
• Under the direction of the CAO and in accordance with County policy, administer the investment portfolio of the County and monitor organization cash flow and update bank information.
• Uphold and make recommendations on policies approved by Council.
• May be required to act in the Chief Administrative Officer’s role in their absence.
• Emergency Management Team member, in accordance with Bylaw 1425 be able to fulfil the duties of the Emergency Coordination Center.
• Review, check and verifies payroll and benefits, accounts payables/receivables, cash receipts and grant related documents.
• Design, implement and test financial controls for Lethbridge County.
• Oversee cost accounting functions including the preparation, review and analysis of product inventory costing, standard costing, overhead allocation and variance analysis.
• Analyze operating variances, strategic sourcing opportunities, and identify opportunities for improvement.

Perform other related duties as required