Director of Finance & Administration

Company Overview

The Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) is the voice of professional artists engaging in live performance in English Canada. We are a national association representing more than 6,000 artists working in theatre, opera and dance from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Equity's membership includes performers, directors, choreographers, fight directors, intimacy directors and stage managers.

In recognition that the arts are vital to life and that artists make an invaluable contribution to our society, Equity supports the creative efforts of its members by seeking to improve their working conditions and work opportunities. We strive for fairness, integrity, collectivity and compassion in all our endeavours.

Equity negotiates and administers scale agreements and administrates engagement policies on behalf of our membership. Both scale agreements (negotiated by Equity with a producer or group of producers) and Equity's promulgated engagement policies articulate the minimum terms and working conditions required for the engagement of an Equity member.

Equity also provides members with benefit plans, information and support, and acts as a vigorous advocate for the needs of our membership.

Job Description

THE POSITION

Under the general supervision of the Executive Director and working with a team of senior staff, the Director of Finance & Administration is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the finance, human resources and information technology functions. The Director of Finance & Administration is the second most senior position and may be deputized to the most senior staff role in the absence of the Executive Director. They should be a strong leader of people with excellent interpersonal relationship and communications skills.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

·       Directly supervises three staff members according to Equity’s HR policies and the collective agreement with COPE Union Local 343 for Toronto union staff.

·       Develops the annual budget in consultation with the Executive Director.

·       Prepares financial statements and written reports for the Association’s stakeholders including the Executive Director, management, Council and government agencies.

·       Manages cash flow, bonding, investments, bank relations and risk management and liaises with financial institutions, suppliers, members, engagers, external auditors, etc.

·       Manages and contributes to the design of Equity’s retirement plans, insurance plans and employee benefits packages for both members and staff.

·       Oversees and recommends the implementation of Information Technology functions including IT support, network and digital assets management, cyber security, hardware and Equity’s Management System (EMS), the association’s proprietary software that manages membership, dues, bonding and contract entry.

·       Directs human resources functions including recruitment, onboarding, health and safety, union relations, compensation, performance management, professional development, etc.

·       Supports the negotiation of Equity’s collective agreements in regard to financial matters and EMS.

·       Manages the leasing of offices and the maintenance of the facilities.

·       Attends Council meetings and reports to Council, coordinating with the Communications Director regarding external and internal communications and dealing directly with Equity members on select issues.

 

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

·       Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a finance and administrative role in the arts & cultural or technology sectors, or at a labour association.

·       Strong knowledge of human resources, labour and employment issues.

·       Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, software development and system integration.

·       Familiarity with enterprise level IT solutions, especially data management systems.

·       Ability to analyze complex problems and devise effective solutions that align with business and financial goals.

·       Brings significant financial management or accounting experience.

·       High ethical standards and superior judgment, courtesy, tact & discretion.

·       Negotiation, stakeholder management and conflict resolution skills.

·       Ability to work with a small yet high-performing team and culture, where staff are passionate about their work and the members they serve, and where there is a high standard of service for members.

·       CPA designation is preferred or experiential equivalent.