Current Opportunities

Chief Financial Officer | The Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS)

The Organization

Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) operates under a social enterprise business model, with the fundamental belief that we exist to create positive value for our members and their families wherever they are in the world.

Acting on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff, CFMWS contributes to the operational readiness of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) by delivering key support enablers that create real value for serving Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, veterans and their families through an agile and efficient operational framework that is unique in Canada. Our programs and services contribute to operational readiness by making members stronger at the individual and community levels. Members who are stronger mentally, socially, physically and financially are better prepared to serve our country and protect Canadian values.

We work closely with the CAF, the Department of National Defence and other government partners to contribute to the larger Defence and security mission and the pursuit of common Government of Canada objectives. CFMWS provides services across Canada, the United States and in Europe.

 

Who We Are

Working on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff and under the authority of the Minister of National Defence, CFMWS is an administrative construct that links the Non-Public Property regime created under the National Defence Act with the SNPF,CF, a Separate Agency of the Government of Canada listed in Schedule V of the Financial Adminstration Act. SNPF,CF employs more than 4,000 people. All SNPF,CF employees belong to the public service, but they do not belong to the core public administration nor are they subject to the Public Service Employment Act. 

CFMWS has four operating Divisions: CANEX, SISIP Financial, Personnel Support Programs (PSP), Military Family Services (MFS) and five support Divisions: Information Services, Human Resources, Finance, Corporate Services and Member Experience and Marketing.

• Personnel Support Programs (PSP) – provides programs aimed at increasing the physical and emotional well-being of military men and women, and their families.
• CANEX operates stores, which provide a wide range of retail goods and services and partners with various concessions on CAF Wings and Bases to provide a full suite of retail options to 32 Military communities across Canada and NATEX in Europe.
• SISIP Financial provides Financial Services and Life Insurance products to the CAF, Veterans and their families. SISIP Financial also operates national financial planning and counselling to military members, veterans and their families.
• Military Family Services (MFS) supports military and veterans families on behalf of the CAF and the DND through the Military Family Services Programs. MFS disburses funding to local to Military Family Resources Centers in Canada, the United States and in Europe.

 

Our Vision

Improving lives at home and around the world

 

Our Mission

• We make our members stronger
• Healthier People
• Stronger Communities
• Better Canada

 

Our Values

Our values demonstrate our commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in support of one another, Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans and their families.

 

• We put our people first – we CARE for our members, our community and one another.
• We act with INTEGRITY and strive to do the right thing – we say what we mean and do what we say.
• We are one TEAM– We have each other’s back and get it done together for our members.
• We constantly look for new ideas and find CREATIVE ways to provide our members with the best possible experience.

 

 

The Opportunity

We are looking for a CFO who will take a role within the executive leadership team to oversee the comprehensive finances for this complex suite of businesses, its accounting infrastructure and delivery of these services that are critical to those who serve.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer of CFMWS. The CFO is responsible for the provision of comprehensive financial and accounting services for all Canadian Armed Forces’ Non-Public Property activities, including financial stewardship, assessing financial risks and opportunities, and investment management. The CFO holds fiduciary responsibility for annual NPP cash flow in excess of $500m and market investments in excess of $1B.  The CFO is also involved in maintaining effective relationships with CFMWS senior management, the Canadian Armed Forces General Officer leadership, industry executives and executive level government officials.

 

This will be an exciting, rewarding and challenging role for an individual who possesses the following combination of skills and attributes:

 

 

Key Accountabilities

The position will include the following responsibilities:

• Overseeing and direction of accounting operations, budgeting and forecasting, and financial reporting & analysis in support of the CFMWS strategic plan and management priorities.
• Overseeing the Non-Public Property Funds financial policy framework, which governs in excess of one thousand three hundred small to medium sized enterprises and trust accounts.
• Advising the Chief of Defence Staff, the NPP Oversight and Advisory Board, the NPP Audit Committee, the CEO, and the CFMWS Executive Management Board on financial management and stewardship issues.
• Developing and implementing short and long-term strategies, plans and policies in support of the financial goals of the organization using economic forecasting and modelling concepts and principles to identify and report on what areas of CFMWS are most efficient.
• Directing and controlling the accounting system of record (Enterprise Resource Planning software) and leading divisional efficiency.
• Managing the Canadian Forces Central Fund investment portfolio with a view to achieving a maximum rate of return by deciding how to invest CFMWS assets, taking into consideration risk and liquidity. Overseeing the capital structure of CFMWS, determining the best mix of debt, equity, and internal financing.
• Directing and controlling the administration of the Consolidated Banking System and negotiating cost-effective financial arrangements with Canadian Chartered Banks or other institutions as required.
• Liaising with senior officials from other government departments and agencies plus external auditors and the NPP Oversight and Advisory Board on matters related to investments, financial operations, public and non-public funding, etc.
• Providing risk management services, including the provision of cost-effective insurance coverage for all NPP property and general liability for all NPP activities in the CAF.
• Participating as a member of the Executive Committee, including playing a key role in the management and business planning process; chairs the NPF Employee Pension Investment Committee and Member of the NPF Employee Pension Board and providing expertise and guidance on all matters involving the management of the Pension Fund and the “Trustee” responsibility of the Board.

 

 

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have the following:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce or Finance/Accounting or a degree in a related field combined with several years of experience or equivalent work/life experiences. This includes but is not limited to demonstrated education, training or experience.
• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation
• MBA degree will be considered an asset.

 

Language: The candidate must be fluently bilingual in both official languages.

 

Experience

• Knowledge of Non-Public Property and Government of Canada public accounting principles;
• Strong understanding of treasury and investment management;
• Experience in short and long-term planning, change management, assessing risk and opportunities, and commercial business or social enterprise financial operations.

 

Competencies and Attributes

• Empathetic and energetic leader possessing demonstrable passion for excellence;
• Demonstrated strength of character, personality and intellect;
• Influencer and effective communicator with the ability to build partnerships, motivate staff and encourage teamwork and collaboration;
• Excellent judgment, tact and discretion as well as high energy and drive;
• Collaborative integrator able to manage day-to-day issues, adhering to core processes and operating system with consistency.

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How to Apply:

Please send your resume in Word or PDF format to: HRCCCanada.GBS.TorontoES@ajg.com. Copy and Paste the following job title and code and place it in the subject line of your email so we can identify the job and confirm receipt of your application:
AFDH-858215 Chief Financial Officer | The Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) - ON - Ottawa (OTIAPPLY)

Please note that only those candidates meeting the selection criteria, established by our client, will be contacted further. Although we may not contact you directly for this particular role, all applications will be reviewed as we would like to consider you for future opportunities that may be appropriate. We encourage you to continue to visit our website at optimumtalent.com as our opportunities are updated on a regular basis.