Director of Finance-External Posting

Director of Finance 

Helmets to Hardhats Canada 
Ottawa, Ontario 
Full-Time | Permanent 
In-Office (5 Days per Week) 

Helmets to Hardhats Canada is a national nonprofit organization connecting transitioning Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and reservists with meaningful careers in Canada’s unionized construction industry. 

With a team of 12 staff and approximately $3 million in annual revenue, Helmets to Hardhats Canada is entering a new phase of growth. The Executive Director is seeking a senior finance leader to take full ownership of the finance function, strengthen infrastructure, and help build the financial foundation for long-term expansion. 

This is an opportunity to shape and modernize a mission-driven organization at a pivotal stage. 

Reports to: Executive Director 

The Opportunity 

This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution. 

The Director of Finance will: 

• Own the finance function end-to-end 

• Serve as the primary financial partner to the Executive Director 

• Lead modernization of systems, processes, and reporting 

• Provide forward-looking financial insight to support growth 

• Oversee payroll and regulatory compliance 

• Supervise 1–2 finance-adjacent staff 

Initially, this position requires full in-office presence to stabilize and strengthen systems. Future flexibility toward hybrid or remote work may be considered once infrastructure and processes are firmly established. 

Core Responsibilities 

Financial Leadership 

• Oversee full-cycle accounting and financial operations 

• Remain hands-on in day-to-day accounting, including reconciliations, journal entries, and active participation in the month-end close process 

• Prepare timely monthly and annual financial statements 

• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year financial planning 

• Manage cash flow planning and funding oversight 

• Coordinate year-end audit and act as primary liaison to external auditors 

• Design and strengthen internal controls appropriate for a growing nonprofit 

Payroll & Compliance 

• Oversee payroll processing and statutory remittances 

• Ensure compliance with government, funding, and statutory reporting requirements 

Systems & Modernization 

• Evaluate and redesign finance workflows 

• Implement scalable systems and reporting tools 

• Improve financial transparency for leadership and board reporting 

• Build infrastructure that supports organizational growth 

Organizational Partnership 

• Translate financial results into clear operational insight 

• Support strategic decisions with data-driven analysis 

• Promote financial discipline and accountability across the organization 

 

Ideal Candidate 

• CPA designation preferred 

• Significant progressive accounting experience (typically 7+ years) 

• Experience in nonprofit, government-funded, or grant environments considered an asset 

• Demonstrated success modernizing finance systems and processes 

• Comfortable operating independently in a lean organization 

• Structured, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented 

• Strong communicator capable of supporting non-financial stakeholders 

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. 

Compensation & Employment Terms 

Salary Range: $120,000 – $145,000 (commensurate with experience) 
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent 
Benefits: Comprehensive health and benefits package (details to be discussed) 
Vacation: Competitive paid vacation entitlement 
Start Date: To be determined