New Job Manager, Finance In Nova Scotia

About Us

At the Department of Community Services (DCS), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family well-being (CFW), Employment Support Services(ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program(DSP).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure. We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of support and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

The Manager, Finance Operations, provides sound, timely financial advice, direction, and service to the divisions of the Department and to service providers that support the clients and program participants served by DCS. You are a key leader of the division, and we count on your expertise in providing advice to the Executive Committee, Senior Management, Program, Service Delivery, and Finance Directors and separate entities on matters of financial and risk management. You are committed to a diverse and equitable public service, and you demonstrate leadership in this area. You will also provide, coaching and mentoring to direct staff reports and business unit clients regarding performance management, training, and skills development.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Manager, of Finance Operations, you will report to the Director of Finance Operations. Your key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Leading and contributing to other departmental project teams and committees as a source of financial, business, and internal control expertise and providing financial analysis for projects as required;
• Delivering financial management and financial planning advice to the divisions of the Department and service providers in all areas of budgeting, financial, and risk management required to support strategic, operational, and business planning within DCS;
• Contributing to the integrity of the operating results of the department and consolidated statements of the Province of Nova Scotia;
• Overseeing and being responsible for ensuring the existence of effective controls over the financial operations of the department and divisional reporting;
• Conducting fraud investigations and ensuring maintenance of, and where necessary, strengthening internal controls and risk management practices for department programs and financial processes;
• Ensuring Office of the Auditor General (OAG) and Internal Audit Centre (IAC) recommendations within the scope of responsibility are addressed in a timely and appropriate manner;
• Ensuring adherence to all financial policies and standards; as well as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) principles and standards;
• Managing teams undertaking management reviews of service providers or operational areas;
• Contributing to the development of the monthly forecast process for divisions of the department by completing accurate operating and capital forecasts in a timely and effective manner and maintaining ongoing contact with cost center managers through regular meetings, financial training sessions, and informal networks;
• Providing expert financial advice on the financial impacts of submissions to the Executive Council ensuring adherence to all GAAP and PSAB principles and standards; and
• Ensuring the effective management of human, technical, and financial resources.

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have a professional accounting designation (in good standing), combined with seasoned financial experience or evidence of equivalent education and senior experience in the key areas of responsibility including internal control, audit, fraud investigations and financial statement preparation and analysis as well as general business experience and financial planning. A certified fraud examiner designation would be considered an asset.

As the next Manager, you have a knack for creating a culture where idea generation and innovation are supported. You have a high degree of problem-solving skills to introduce, promote, and implement new ideas within the Division, and resolve conflicts and concerns as they arise. You are attentive to detail, consistently ensuring program compliance. You must demonstrate experience with providing an interpretation of policies, procedures, and directives, and setting and monitoring financial service process standards. In addition, you are familiar with training staff for SAP, SAS, Cognos, Business Warehouse, and provincial financial planning processes.

You must maintain professional integrity and ethics while sustaining relationships and balancing conflicting demands from various stakeholders. A few of your key qualitied also include being highly organized, strong technical, computer and time management skills as well as management and leadership skills.

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviors and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains include Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions, and Systems Transformation.

Please follow LEADS (novascotia.ca) for more information.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Salary Information

EC 12 -

$3,561.95 - $4,452.43

Benefits

Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

This role is based in a comfortable office environment and you may be working at your computer for extended periods of time. You may be required to travel as requested to attend meetings.

Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. This role does entail a high volume of work which may require longer than normal working hours and significant overtime. Due to the multiple spheres of action and scope of responsibilities that this position requires, there is significant mental pressure, requiring resilience. Your ability to work independently and under pressure is necessary as there is sustained pressure from deadlines and conflicting demands.

Additional Information

You must have a valid driver’s license and be able to travel to various work site locations.

Your worksite location is flexible. The Department of Community Services has offices across the province and your team is located throughout the province. Our Head office is in Halifax, and it is expected that the Manager will have a regular presence in Halifax as well as time in regional offices. Your worksite location will be determined at the offer negotiation stage.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.