Summary

Modern People Solutions is partnering with Operation Eyesight to recruit a strategic Director of Finance. This senior leadership role will oversee financial strategy, compliance, donor reporting, risk management, and international financial operations to ensure long-term sustainability and operational excellence. Working closely with executive leadership and the Board, the successful candidate will strengthen financial systems, support global programming, and drive informed organizational growth

Description

Director of Finance

Modern People Solutions (MPS) is a Fractional HR and Recruitment Advisory firm. We specialize in working with companies in the heavy equipment industry, not-for-profit, and professional services sectors. Our goal is to connect amazing employees and candidates together for long-term success.
We are proud to support a mission-driven international not-for-profit organization, Operation Eyesight, in the search for a strategic and operationally strong Director of Finance. This senior leadership role is responsible for ensuring financial integrity, sustainability, compliance, and operational excellence across the organization’s Canadian and international operations.

The Opportunity

Operation Eyesight is a global, Canada-based nonprofit working to eliminate avoidable blindness by bringing sustainable eye care to underserved communities across Africa and South Asia. For over 60 years, the organization has partnered with local hospitals, governments, and communities to deliver long-term solutions — not just short-term aid — through vision centers, surgeries, training, and community health programs. With a strong focus on prevention, capacity building, and system-level impact, Operation Eyesight is committed to creating lasting change and improving quality of life for millions of people around the world.

What Does the Opportunity Look Like?

The Director, Finance is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring the financial integrity, sustainability, compliance, audit readiness, and operational efficiency of Operation Eyesight Canada and its international programming architecture.
The role provides strategic and operational leadership across financial planning, budgeting, financial reporting, donor compliance, internal controls, treasury, risk management, audit, and financial systems. The Director works closely with the President & CEO, the Leadership Team, the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, programme colleagues, international Country Offices, partners, auditors, and donors.
This position goes beyond traditional accounting oversight. It requires a senior finance leader with substantial Canadian NGO experience, direct international experience in country operations, and a practical understanding of how restricted and unrestricted funding, country office cost structures, project budgets, donor reporting, local partner advances, procurement, audit requirements, and organizational reserves all connect.
The Director will play a central role in strengthening financial systems, developing donor-ready budgeting and reporting tools, supporting institutional funding growth, improving cross-functional decision-making, and ensuring that the organization is positioned to meet the requirements of Global Affairs Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency, external auditors, and other major institutional donors.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Strategy, Planning & Performance Management

Lead annual budgeting, multi-year financial planning, forecasting, cash flow planning, and scenario modelling aligned with organizational priorities.
Provide strategic financial analysis and decision support to the President & CEO, Leadership Team, and Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.
Strengthen the connection between program strategy, donor funding realities, operational costs, and long-term sustainability.
Develop dashboards, forecasting tools, and management reports to support informed decision-making.
Evaluate financial implications of strategic initiatives, country office structures, and institutional funding opportunities.

2. Financial Operations, Reporting & Systems

Oversee full-cycle accounting, month-end/year-end close, payroll, reconciliations, receivables, payables, and consolidated reporting.
Ensure timely, accurate, and transparent financial reporting for leadership, the Board, auditors, and external stakeholders.
Maintain strong documentation, approval processes, internal financial controls, and audit-ready reporting structures.
Ensure finance systems support international operations, donor compliance, fund accounting, and management reporting.
Drive continuous improvement through system enhancements, automation, and standardized processes.

3. Donor Financial Management & Compliance

Lead development and review of institutional donor budgets, including Global Affairs Canada and other major funders.
Ensure strong compliance with donor agreements, financial reporting requirements, eligible cost structures, and audit expectations.
Support proposal budgeting, donor negotiations, budget amendments, and financial reporting accuracy.
Develop practical tools for donor budgeting, reporting, partner advances, procurement, and cost recovery.
Partner with advancement and program teams to strengthen institutional funding readiness.

4. International Finance & Partner Oversight

Provide senior finance leadership across Country Offices and international operations.
Support country budgeting, forecasting, donor expenditure reporting, cash flow planning, and compliance monitoring.
Build capacity among international finance and program staff through coaching, systems, and practical tools.
Strengthen oversight of local partners, controls, financial risk management, and audit readiness.
Ensure international financial operations align with both Canadian compliance expectations and field realities.

5. Risk Management, Governance & Audit

Strengthen internal controls, risk management frameworks, fraud prevention, and compliance processes.
Ensure compliance with CRA charitable requirements and governance obligations.
Lead annual audits, donor audits, internal reviews, and management response processes.
Provide clear financial insights and governance reporting to the Board and Finance Committee.
Identify and proactively manage liquidity, donor, foreign exchange, operational, and reputational risks.

6. Treasury & Financial Sustainability

Oversee treasury, liquidity, reserves, banking relationships, and foreign exchange exposure.
Lead rolling cash flow forecasting and financial scenario planning.
Support disciplined stewardship of restricted, unrestricted, and Board-designated funds.
Advise on sustainable funding models, indirect cost recovery, and financial resilience strategies.

7. Cross-Functional Leadership

Partner with program, advancement, and executive teams to strengthen decision-making and organizational performance.
Promote a culture of financial accountability, transparency, collaboration, and service orientation.
Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to senior leadership on organizational sustainability and growth.

What’s In It For You?

Opportunity to lead the financial strategy and operational integrity of a globally respected international nonprofit.
A senior leadership role with direct influence on organizational sustainability, growth, and mission impact.
Meaningful collaboration with executive leadership, Board members, international teams, and donor stakeholders.
The ability to strengthen systems, processes, and financial infrastructure that support global program delivery.
A purpose-driven organization where your expertise contributes directly to lasting international impact.

What Are We Looking For?

CPA designation required; post-secondary education in accounting, finance, business, or related field.
10+ years of progressive senior finance leadership experience, ideally within nonprofit or international development environments.
Significant experience in Canadian NGO financial leadership, donor compliance, and international programming finance.
Strong working knowledge of Global Affairs Canada funding requirements, CRA charity compliance, and institutional donor reporting.
Experience leading audits, financial systems implementation, treasury management, and risk oversight.
Proven leadership experience managing teams and supporting cross-functional organizational decision-making.
Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex financial information into actionable insights.
Experience supporting multi-country operations, Country Offices, and partner-based international delivery models.

Location: Calgary, Alberta (Hybrid/Remote flexibility)
Apply Here: https://mpeoplesolutions.com/jobs/director-of-finance/