Director, Finance & Administration at Western… · Calgary

Position Summary Reporting to the WHL Commissioner, the WHL’s Director, Finance & Administration is a critical role at the League’s head office in Calgary, AB and is responsible for the management and oversight of the League’s financial operations, strategic financial direction, and League office administration and operations. The WHL recently launched a new set of priorities that are designed to create a unified approach to advancing the state of the League on and off the ice. Those key priorities include: · Maintaining the League’s position as the best development League in the world · Establishing a stronger commercial ecosystem built to grow the relevance and presence for the League with fans across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest USA · Engage partners at the Canadian Hockey League, and Ontario and Quebec Leagues as well as the WHL Clubs to create an environment of enablement and collaboration – working with one another to celebrate and socialize best practices in the spirit of growing the impact of the League in our communities and beyond.
As a shared service, the WHL Finance department provides vital support to the various WHL departments including Marketing, Communications, Business Operations, and Hockey Operations, ensuring each department has the necessary tools, resources, and financial information to make key business decisions and deliver on each of the WHL’s key priorities. This position revolves around maintaining an exceptional operating standard at the League office, communicating with stakeholders across a variety of topics and ensuring the League’s financial records are timely, accurate, and compliant with audit standards. The successful candidate will be challenged to evaluate the League’s current financial management strategies and practices and recommend and implement improvements. This includes reviewing and understanding a variety of agreements around revenue and expense distribution between the CHL, the WHL, and the WHL’s Member Clubs and proposing ways to deliver enhanced value for the Clubs One of the administration group’s most important responsibilities is Board of Governors relations and involves the planning of annual Governors’ meetings and the day-to-day administration of governance matters connected to the WHL Bylaws & Constitution. The administration function of the role also serves as a ‘catch-all’ for functions that are not individually resourced in a small organization. This includes light Human Resources, Insurance & Benefits, Office Management, Legal, IT/Systems This role currently has four direct reports. Duties and Responsibilities Financial Strategy & Strategic Planning: · Develop and implement financial strategies to support short-term and long-term WHL strategic initiatives · Analyze financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities and provide insights and recommendations · Collaborate with the WHL Board of Governors, Finance Committee, WHL Clubs, CHL, and other key stakeholders to set financial targets and monitor performance · Work closely with Commissioner and Senior Leadership team on any advanced financial modeling requirements Budgeting & Forecasting: · Oversee annual budgeting process and presentation to WHL Board of Governors for approval · Monitor and report on budget variances, ensuring targets are met and resources are efficiently allocated · Preparation and presentation of yearend forecast to WHL Board of Governors Financial Reporting & Analysis: · Prepare and present detailed quarterly and annual financial statements, reforecasts and support schedules · Final review and approval of general ledger, bank reconciliations and working papers, ensuring all reporting is timely, accurate, and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, and audit standards Cashflow & Treasury Management: · Manage WHL cashflow, ensuring efficient liquidity for operations, projects, or investments · Oversee treasury functions including banking relationships, investments, and debt management Risk Management & Compliance: · Identify and manage financial risks including insurance, investment, and credit risks · Ensure compliance with all financial, tax, and legal requirements · Implement and maintain internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure accuracy and compliance of financial records · Final oversight and management of annual financial audit and corporate tax filing Business Administration & Operations: · Support general Human Resources activities (hiring, contracts, onboarding, technology) for WHL Staff · Oversee the tracking, fulfillment, and club liability calculations of WHL Scholarship and Development program · Assist in the development of office policies, procedures, and staff onboarding processes · Oversight of the WHL employee benefit program. Conduct review of benefits, insurance, and overall employee rewards programs · Collaborate with the Commissioner on various legal and due diligence matters · Manage 3rd party office IT contract and oversee future technology upgrades · Review Travel & Expense management and reimbursement programs, corporate card issuance, etc. · Regular review and renewal of WHL office contracts including lease, insurance, phones, etc. · Oversee the completion of the annual WHL Operations Manual WHL Board of Governors Relations: · Oversee logistical planning and execution of WHL Board of Governors meetings including venue, catering, accommodations, and preparation of pre-read meeting materials · Manage various directories, designation forms, internal distributions, and other administrative correspondence pertaining to the WHL Board of Governors · Serve as a member of the WHL Finance Committee People Management · Manage a team of Finance and Administration personnel with the goal of increasing performance and job satisfaction · Drive culture through the WHL office through a people-first mindset Qualifications/Requirements · Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or other related field and at least 10 years of progressive accounting experience · CPA designation required · 5 - 7 years in a prior leadership role · Experience with Not-For-Profit Accounting · Strong working knowledge of Microsoft NAV or similar accounting systems · Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to effectively communicate financial results to various members of the Leadership Team, problem solve, and resolve conflicts · Ability to work in a high-pressure environment and meet strict deadlines · Expertise and comfort with technology platforms including Powerpoint, Excel, Word, MS Teams, or equivalents · Must be willing to travel for meetings as necessary Preferred Qualifications · Prior experience in Sports & Entertainment or similar landscape · Experience procuring and implementing accounting systems and expense software Skills, Abilities, Other Attributes · Analytical, thoughtful, and possessing a level of creativity · Courageous – willing to have tough conversations · Communication skills – not only written and verbal, but also listening. This is paramount to understand and execute against the needs of the organization · Ability to handle many projects and business challenges simultaneously We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.