#147 Director of Business Operations

JOB POSTING # 147

About CMHA Niagara

CMHA, Niagara is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to promoting mental wellness and to improving the lives of people in its service area who have mental illness as well as their families. CMHA Niagara achieves its mission through a number of programs and services.

CMHA, Niagara is committed to a recovery philosophy which focuses on the potential for people with mental illness to lead full, productive and engaged lives in their communities.  The Branch works in partnership with many others who share in the commitment to supporting the broad determinants of health.

Position Summary 

The Director of Business Operations is a strategic leader responsible for overseeing the organization’s finance and information systems functions. This role ensures efficient operations, drives financial health, and supports decision-making through technology and data-driven insights in conjunction with the Executive Director and Board of Directors. The incumbent combines expertise in financial management with a strong background in information systems to align operational activities with organizational goals and lead, manage and hold accountable team members in their portfolio.

Job Functions

Strategic Financial Leadership 

• Develops and oversees financial strategies, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting in accordance with standards of accounting for not-for-profits.


• Ensures compliance with local, provincial, and federal budgetary reporting requirements.


• Establishes and maintains appropriate internal control safeguards.


• Analyzes financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities to support the Agency.


• Collaborates with members of the Senior Leadership Team to manage budgets and allocate resources effectively.


• Ensures completion of the annual audit process and liaises with external auditors and interested and affected parties.


• Assesses organizational performance against both the annual budget and CMHA Niagara’s long-term strategy.


• Optimizes the handling of banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions.


• Assists in establishing yearly objectives and meeting agendas, and selecting and engaging outside consultants (auditors etc.).


• Oversees long-term budgetary planning and costs management in alignment with CMHA Niagara’s strategic plan.


• Ensures strategic and operational accountabilities with the need for strong collaborative leadership with their teams, the Executive Director, Senior Leadership, Board of Directors and all Funders.


• Coordinates budget approval and monitoring process, ensures they are available to the Board and funding sources, complies Branch budgets in conjunction with the Executive Director, Senior Leadership Team and Managers of each department.


• Reports to the Finance Committee on Branch operations, developing and presenting reports, statistical data and financial operations.


• Providing a summary of financial knowledge, reporting requirements, due dates for funders and other financial internal processes.


• Attends Board meetings as required; through the Executive Director, advises and guides the Board on Branch financial operations to support the Board in its decision making.


• Coordinates the preparation of financial statements, financial reports, special analyses, and information reports.


• Implements and oversees a monthly variance analysis and reporting process. 

Operations

• Maintains CMHA Niagara’s stability and reputation by ensuring high standards of professional conduct and quality of care, adhering to legislative requirements, policies and procedures, funding criteria, and professional and Branch standards.


• Assists with the preparation of new and existing funding applications.


• Demonstrates quality services by monitoring the development and implementation of the department’s activities and conducting evaluation of services for outcome analysis that are consistent with best practices.


• Develops and implements staff recruitment, orientation, reintegration and training for the Finance and Information System teams.


• Maintains Agency standards by providing input on critical problems, participates in decision-making affecting the entire Branch, formulating Branch stances on vital issues, carrying out tasks assigned by the Executive Director, and keeping team members informed about significant information.


• Ensures that there are adequate processes and systems in place to collect financial and statistical data to the extent needed so the Branch is able to make well informed decisions and to meet the reporting requirements as required by funders, legislation and to meet professional standards.


• Assist and contribute to facilities planning and management, including any capital projects. 


• Ensures effective file management for documentation related to business operations (contracts, funding agreements, MOU’s, leases etc.) 

Information Systems

• Oversees the design, implementation and management of Information Systems infrastructure to ensure that operations are aligned with organizational strategy and objectives.


• Directs the deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development, upgrade, and support of all information systems, including servers, operating systems, telephones, software applications, peripherals and other equipment.


• Ensures security of data, network access and backup systems act in alignment with industry standards, user needs and system functionality to contribute to organizational policy.


• Oversees provision of end-user services, including help desk and technical support services.


• Keeps current with the latest technologies and determine what new technology solutions and implementations will meet business and system requirements.

Risk Management

• Collect and analyze cost data versus budget for ascertaining financial and information systems performance and risk assessment.


• Monitor departmental/team risk management policies, plans and procedures to ensure that program and organizational risks are minimized.


• Advise the organization’s Senior Leadership Team on appropriate insurance coverage for the organization and for the Board of Directors.


• Negotiate with financial institutions for lines of credit or other financial services as required and appropriate.


• Conducts cost analysis to ensure value for money and quality of financial and information systems decisions.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or related field


• Professional designation as a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with registration in good standing


• Minimum 5 years’ previous organizational experience in full cycle financial management; development, monitoring, reporting and audit, and payroll, preferably in a non-profit or health care environment.


• Minimum 5 years of experience in a management role within a Finance department


• Extensive experience in MS Office and accounting applications (e.g. GP Dynamics)


• Proven experience in project management is an asset


• Knowledge of all relevant federal and provincial legislation (Charity, non-profit, ESA, Income Tax Act, etc.).


• Excellent working knowledge of Information Systems infrastructure management 


• Must have access to a reliable personal vehicle or transportation


• Current valid class ‘G’ driver’s license and car insurance


• A cell phone for business use


• A satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check


• Bilingualism, particularly proficiency in French, would be considered a valuable asset

CMHA Niagara is a culturally competent organization and is committed to building an inclusive community that respects the dignity and independence of candidates with multicultural and diverse backgrounds, multilingual abilities, and experience with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Candidates with this background would be considered an asset.

CMHA Niagara is committed to providing accommodation for persons with disabilities. Please see the AODA section of our website at, www.cmhaniagara.ca for further details or contact our Human Resources department for any information in an alternate format.

If you are interested in applying for this position, it is your responsibility to ensure your application is submitted to [email protected] no later than 4:00 p.m. on February 9, 2026.

Our Mission 

Our purpose is to strengthen mental wellness in the Niagara community.

Our Vision 

A Niagara where mental health is recognized, supported and optimized.

Our Values 

Our core values will be embedded in everything we do. They will guide and define how we work with each other, our partners, and our clients and their supports, to enhance access to mental health and addictions supports in Niagara: adaptive, collaboration, ethics and integrity, people-centred, safety and belonging, social justice.