Chief Financial Officer

The Organization

Banff Centre exists to inspire artists and leaders to make their unique contribution to society and aspires to be the global leader in arts, culture, and creativity. Founded in 1933 and located in Banff National Park, on Treaty 7 land, Banff Centre’s history is comprised of the stories of some of the most iconic and outstanding artists from Canada and around the world who have helped forge the Canadian cultural identity.

In January 2009, Alberta’s Minister of Advanced Education and Technology confirmed a mandate for Banff Centre as a specialized Arts and Culture Institution providing non-parchment, post-secondary education programs in the arts and creativity, as well as in leadership development, mountain culture, and the environment. As Canada’s leading post-graduate arts institution, Banff Centre offers intensive training and career development programs for emerging and established artists across all artistic disciplines, including opera, music, dance, film and media, mountain culture, visual arts, and Indigenous arts. As a champion of arts and creativity, Banff Centre Leadership programs prepare and empower leaders from a wide range of sectors to make an impact in a rapidly shifting world. Its programs integrate the power of the arts, the wisdom of Indigenous practice, and the extraordinary beauty of Banff National Park. Programs in the cultural, Indigenous, and corporate sectors connect participants with others who share their commitment to positive change in cultural institutions, Indigenous communities, businesses, non-profit organizations, and government.

Prior to the global pandemic, Banff Centre annually welcomed more than 3,500 artists and leaders in approximately 120 learning programs and more than 26,000 attendees participated in 360 conferences. Activities included more than 150 premieres, 50 commissioned artistic works, and 400 performances and events for approximately 80,000 audience members. Banff Centre’s performance facilities include the newly renovated 638-seat Jenny Belzberg Theatre, as well as the 246-seat Margaret Greenham Theatre, which consists of a studio space with a fixed audience rake, soft black masking, and a fixed grid in a venue that is used extensively for dance, drama, intimate music events, and meetings. Additionally, Rolston Recital Hall, with a maximum seating capacity of 226, has a natural acoustic setting in a venue that can be configured for performance or recording situations where an adjacent control room can be used to record from the hall or Bentley Chamber Music Studio, which seats up to 100. The Shaw Amphitheatre is Banff Centre's most majestic and engaging venue with a spectacular 360-degree view of Banff's mountain ranges and an open starry sky at night. In the heart of Banff Centre’s campus, the 1,700-seat outdoor amphitheater is an ideal location for a post-session event or can be enjoyed from a private reception on one of the Kinnear Centre's terraces. (Note: the Shaw Amphitheatre program is currently limited due to significant investments that need to be made in equipment and staging to accommodate large-scale touring needs.)

Banff Centre’s current strategic plan, Creative Pathways (April 2021), focuses on the following five priorities:

• Create: Inspiring and Advancing Creative Leaders
• Connect: In Relationship to Each Other and Our world
• Grow: Revenue Growth and Diversification, leveraging Banff Centre’s Unique Place and Convening Ability
• Partner: Strategic Partnerships to Ensure Relevant, Impactful Development and Delivery of Banff Centre Programs
• Engage: Commitment to Continued Communication and Engagement with Banff Centre’s Key Communities

The Role:  Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

The CFO reports directly to the President and CEO of Banff Centre and is part of the Management Leadership Team, who meet frequently with the Senior Leadership Team (together referred to as the TLG) actively contributing to the overall strategic direction for the organization to develop and execute strategic initiatives that drive growth, net earned contribution, and operational efficiency. Reporting to the CEO, the CFO is responsible for a Finance Services Team of approximately 10 hybrid/remote professionals. The role is evolving and could expand to include other groups depending on the background and experience of the successful candidate.  The successful candidate will engage with, mentor, and integrate all levels of staff to always function as a high performing team, maintain open communication, set clear objectives and priorities, and cultivate a positive and supportive organizational culture.

The CFO and the Finance Services Team holds overall accountability for financial planning, control, coordination, and management at Banff Centre. Collaborating extensively across the organization, key responsibilities include budget development to ensure an annual balanced budget and a three-year planning horizon, as well as collaborating with the TLG on monthly forecasting and remedial actions to ensure fiscal stability.

The CFO provides regular financial information, financial results, capital planning, and updates to the Board and Committees, through the President, and attends the Board meetings where they present financial statements, summary reports, and forecasts. Specifically, they ensure that the President & CEO, the Board, and the TLG are fully informed about the financial implications of major operational and capital plans, facilitating informed decision-making.

The CFO is responsible for establishing and ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures regarding federal sales tax, federal and provincial income tax, municipal property taxes, and user fees. Given the unique taxation and operational status of the Centre, this may involve negotiating with various levels of government to preserve the Centre's special status and equitable taxation burden.

The CFO and the Financial Services Team ensures the quality & timeliness of financial reporting, the identification of risks, and financial sustainability of Banff Centre’s annual operating, capital, and investments. They ensure the TLG and Directors involved understand the budgeting process, systems, and are operating within the budget allocations.  They develop and maintain close and effective relationships with government officials, auditors, legal advisors, financial institutions, and other consultants to the Centre.

The CFO will take an active role to lead the implementation and optimization of a new ERP system to streamline financial processes, improve data accuracy, and enhance reporting capabilities. 

Qualifications and Educational Requirements

The successful applicant will demonstrate the following competencies and skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related field and a designation as a CPA. An MBA or other ongoing professional development would be considered an asset.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in finance leadership roles, with at least 5 years in a senior management capacity. Experience within the public sector could be an asset.
• Strong understanding of financial principles, practices, and regulations, with proven expertise in financial planning, analysis, and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience with ERP systems, with a track record of successful implementation and optimization.

Personal Characteristics

Leadership: Proven leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve ambitious goals in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Ability to inspire collaborative teamwork that creates trust, builds confidence, and develops high performing and engaged employees. Experience in managing change, driving innovation, and optimizing processes. Knowledge of relevant industry trends, regulations, and best practices. Adaptability and resilience to navigate through dynamic business environments.

Strategic: Ability to participate with the leadership team actively contributing to the strategic direction of the organization. Demonstrated ability of providing strategic insight and guidance to other business leaders around functional business plans, initiatives, budgets, and performance expectations. Excellent analytical skills and strategic thinking abilities, with the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights and recommendations.

Communication: Exceptional communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Possess exceptional administrative, interpersonal, and public presentation capabilities that convey the importance and outcomes of a leading post-secondary arts and leadership organization.

Relationships: A proven track record of developing strong relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, both internal and external to the organization. You have a reputation as someone with a high level of personal integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct, with a commitment to upholding the highest standards of financial governance and compliance.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: A demonstrable personal and professional commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and access is expected, as well as a deep understanding of the impacts of Truth and Reconciliation.

Express Your Enthusiasm

Banff Centre offers a comprehensive compensation package with a competitive and equitable salary, plus transitional housing, professional development opportunities, employee cafeteria plan, and subsidized fitness membership, among other benefits. In addition to the Government of Alberta Health Plan, Banff Centre offers extended health and dental insurance, life insurance, vacation time, and participation in a retirement plan. The quality of life in Banff and surrounding communities is simply extraordinary.

Email a cover letter and tailored resume (PDF or Word document only) to Allan Nelson or Heather Fookes at Calgary@leadersinternational.com indicating the job title in the subject line of the email.