Vice President Finance And Administration

THE ORGANIZATION

Hope Air is Canada’s only national charity providing free airline travel accommodations, meals, and ground transportation programs for Canadians in financial need, who must travel for medical care far from home. Long distance medical travel can be a material barrier that prevents patients from timely access to diagnosis and treatment for a variety of health conditions. The promise of Hope Air is that “no patients will be left behind”, regardless of location or financial means

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As a result of Hope Air support, thousands of Canadians each year reach medical care rather than being forced to postpone or cancel medical treatments due to financial constraints. Hope Air’s programs keep remote, rural, and smaller communities strong, enabling Canadians to continue to live where they choose, regardless of limited access to specialized medical care.

Since its founding in 1986, more than 170,000 travel arrangements have been facilitated, including over 10,000 travel arrangements in 2022. Without Hope Air, 69% of patients said that they would not be cured and 94% indicate that they had a better health outcome because of Hope Air support. Hope Air works with a broad group of partners and supporters including airlines, airport authorities, volunteers, hotels, provincial governments, local and regional health care providers and corporate, foundation and individual donors. For more information on Hope Air programs and services please visit HopeAir,ca

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Vice President Finance and Administration’s (VP F&A’s) main role is to partner with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) in defining Hope Air’s business strategy, the required resources and priorities for the organization, and the key partnerships and performance metrics, while leading the organizations Finance and Administrative functions. As a member of the SLT, they will work closely with the other leaders and the CEO in defining and executing the overall business strategy, and in ensuring cross-departmental co-opera

tion.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

The VP F&A will take on a leadership role in executing tasks and projects in the following functional areas:

Business Strategy

• Collaborate with and provide support to the SLT in an orchestrated effort to contribute to the maintenance and growth of the business.
• As part of the SLT play a key role in formulating and updating Hope Air’s strategic plan and financial models; help develop the required resources and priorities for the organization, and the key performance metrics.
• Help execute on the business strategy in a sustainable manner that positions Hope Air for stability and future growth; act on measured performance metrics requiring attention.

Leadership

• Model strong leadership in keeping with Hope Air’s values; help define and embody the organizations corporate value system and promote a high-performance culture.
• Establish and manage team performance objectives; provide development opportunities to each team member and acknowledge work efforts while maintain open lines of communication to accommodate the discussion of professional and personal matters.
• Hire, manage, mentor, and develop talent and indirect reports.

Financial Management and Reporting

• Provide timely monthly, quarterly, and annual management reporting to the SLT and departmental managers.
• Further develop and implement efficient and effective financial infrastructure tools, systems, and processes and controls to protect Hope Air’s assets and to enhance the running of the business.
• Prepare updated financial and cash flow forecasts as required.
• Further develop and provide comprehensive operational reporting and analytics tools that are flexible, scalable, and reflective of a growth-oriented environment.
• Coordinate and oversee the annual budgeting process, including review and approval of department budgets, and preparation of reports and analysis for the board and financial/auditing institutions.
• Oversee and provide proper management and compliance reporting.
• Assist the CEO in preparing and presenting reports to key stakeholders including the Board of Directors, Donors, Government and related parties.

Tax, Treasury and Risk Management

• Manage cash levels, and coordinate with financial institutions to ensure proper banking processes, provide required reporting and banking covenants.
• Act as Hope Air’s focal point on risk management issues and initiatives. Oversee insurance contract negotiations and renewals.
• Liaise with tax advisors for all tax planning requirements and compliance reporting.

Operations and Administration

• Manage the internal human resources process to review general HR policies and best practices in performance management, recruitment and retention strategies, employee benefit and retirement programs.
• Partner with the CEO and SLT in evaluation of new business opportunities, including new business partners, service enhancements, new market segments and geographic opportunities.
• Oversee the Information Technology programs, vendor relationships and contracts.
• Liaise with landlords and real estate advisors and manage office leases.
• Negotiate contracts pertaining to corporate administration, including equipment purchases.
• Support the finance and administration needs of remote offices throughout Canada.
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer to review and support partner agreements, fundraising contracts, and outside legal counsel where appropriate.

Leadership·

• Oversee the management of volunteers, including awareness and enforcement of the volunteer code of conduct, reward and recognition programs, and recruitment programs
• Provide motivation, coaching, training, performance management, and development opportunities to all direct reports. Provide the necessary tools and resources to do their job.
• Communicate a clear vision and expectations for your team while providing leadership and guidance to support staff in achieving the corporate initiatives.
• Lead and champion the culture to support Hope Air’s employee experience, resulting in a motivated high-performing workforce.

External Partnering & Resource Management·

• .Ensure government filings and reports are completed on a timely basis.
• Partner with the CEO to coordinate dialogue with major strategic partners.
• Act as lead financial advisor on banking relationships and financings.
• Liaise with outside accountants on annual audits, annual financial statements and special issues

External Partnering & Resource Management

• Act as lead financial advisor on banking relationships and financings
• .Liaise with outside accountants on annual audits, annual financial statements and special issues.·
• Partner with the CEO to coordinate dialogue with major strategic partners.
• Ensure government filings and reports are completed on a timely basis.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

This leader must have strong conviction and a drive to perform at a high level, but also bring a genuine curiosity, diplomacy, pragmatism, openness to learning and modesty to fit with the Hope Air culture and environment. Additionally, they should bring the following experience and personal attributes:

• Strong operations understanding with solid business acumen; ability to contribute to the development and execution of strategic business plans.·Possess exceptional negotiation, communication, presentation, and business decision-making skills with ability to work well across all levels and functional areas of an organization.
• Experience in negotiating deals/agreements with partners, vendors, customers, and travel and accommodation vendors; possesses an understanding of optimizing partner agreements and funding sources in the not-for-profit sector.
• Possess the skill and confidence to ask tough, objective or strategic questions in a team-oriented and respectful manner.
• Solid influencing skills; handles conflict skillfully; exercises patience.
• Is a participative leader with a proven ability to manage, motivate and train team members and project a style that cultivates a desire in others to follow.
• 7+ years people management/leadership experience.
• Ideally brings working experience gained within medium to large sized, well-disciplined setting, and smaller fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments.
• Able to relate to a variety of personalities and to build trust and confidence to overcome differences of opinion and to build consensus; agile and adaptable.
• Is creative, innovative, and focused on new ways of doing things; can ask effective questions and challenge existing practices to promote the further building of a dynamic environment that is customer centric.
• A passion for the mission of Hope Air.10+ years’ finance experience with 3+ years as a CFO or Vice President Finance gained in the non-profit industry ideally, from the health care sector,
• Projects empathy, humility, and strong personal values; passionate, high-energy self-starter who leads by example; and possess a sense of humor.
• Proven ability to organize, analyze and interpret data; can deliver actionable information and recommendations,
• Able to roll up their sleeves and get tactically involved with the team; acts as a player/coach.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills, and solid interpersonal relationship building skills.

EDUCATION/PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATIONS

• Undergraduate degree or the equivalent gained within a relevant discipline plus a professional accounting designation.
• CPA or equivalent designation.
• Business training or an MBA would be a strong preference

.CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are interested in learning more about this exciting leadership opportunity, please contact

Cheryl Lai, Senior Consultant [email protected] 416 928 4580

ABOUT LHH KNIGHTSBRIDGE – www.lhhknightsbridge.com