Associate Director Budget Planning & Strategy

Location: Thorold, Ontario
Standard Hours: 35 per week
Status: Permanent Full Time

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director Financial Management and Planning/Deputy Treasurer, the Associate Director Budget Planning and Strategy is responsible for the direction, reporting, strategy, long term financial planning, policy development and compliance of the corporate budget activities.  This includes the operating and Capital Budgets and Multiyear Financial Plans, as well as investment, reserve, debt management, development charge administration, taxation and utility revenue policy and administration.

Education

• Post-secondary degree in Economics, Commerce, Business Administration, Commerce, or related field.
• Completion of the Municipal Finance and Accounting Program is preferred.

Knowledge

• Minimum 7 years of progressively senior level financial management experience including  budgeting, strategic planning, financial reporting, policy development, analysis and capital asset management and planning. 
• Previous related experience working in a municipal environment is preferred.
• Previous experience working as part of a management team is preferred.
• Previous experience engaging with Committees, Council, or a Board is preferred.
• Accounting designation (CPA).

Responsibilities

Leads and manages the development of the Corporate Consolidated Annual Operating and Capital Budgets, as well as Multiyear Financial Plans and strategies inclusive of taxation and utility rate impacts. (40% of time).

• Develops long-term strategies for operating and capital financing.
• Supports the Commissioner of Corporate Services and CMT on operating and Capital budget issues.
• Leads and controls the Region’s cross-functional operating  and capital budget preparation, preparing operating  and capital budgets for Regional Council.
• Develops operating and capital spending strategies to inform annual expenditure reduction targets.
• Leads the Multiyear Financial Planning process, ensuring plans are in alignment with Council’s goals and objectives.
• Implements improvements in budget review process of Committees and Council to effect ease of review and adoption by Council.
• Liaises with regional departments, outside boards and agencies, provincial agencies and area treasurers with respect to preparation, presentation and implementation of the budgets and reporting.
• Provides advice and guidance to departments in completing operating and Capital budgets.
• Leading the team through the ranking prioritization process, and presenting final recommendation to CMT and BRC.
• Provides financial assistance to Police services board and other outside boards and agencies.
• Provide support and recommendations to CLT regarding budget issues.
• Designs and implements measures to improve budget development, reporting and analytics process.

Develops and manages Revenue and Financing processes and relationships with internal and external invested parties, to ensure services and reporting requirements are effectively managed. (35% of time).

• Provides leadership in Regional Tax Policy decisions in compliance with legislation.
• Oversees debenture process for Region and local area municipalities inclusive of analysis of cost of financing options and ensuring compliance with Municipal Act.
• Investigate and advise/consult on alternative debt financing mechanisms.
• Provides leadership to corporate leadership team in the annual credit rating process and acts as liaison for the credit rating agency.
• Provides leadership in the Development Charge billing, collection, by-law compliance, by-law and study updates, grants and incentives. 
• Provides leadership in investment management decision in compliance with policy and legislation.

Ensures the financial policies and processes of the Region adhere to general accounting principles, municipal act and best practice (CICA handbook and Municipal Reporting handbook). (10% of time).

• Develops policies and procedures related to budget planning, budget control, reserve and reserves funds, capital financing, investments.
• Prepares appropriate budget, requisition, taxation, development charge, debenture and other by-laws as applicable.
• Participates as a team member with other staff on analysis towards policy formulation.
• Develop standards to ensure adequacy of internal control procedures.
• Oversees process of collecting KPIs for budget preparation, MBN, policy formulation.

Manages people resource planning for the division or operating unit, determining ideal organizational structures, identifying desirable role and skill mix requirements and ensuring ongoing work quality and deliverability of results. (10% of time).

• Enables results with the organization’s human capital strategy to foster employee engagement.
• Directs and provides leadership for the activities and coaching of direct reports, providing work direction, setting priorities, assigning tasks/projects, determining methods and procedures to be used, resolving problems, ensuring results are achieved, and managing staff recruitment, performance, and skill development activities.
• Ensures alignment and coordination of activity and quality of output between teams under their direction.
• Ensures focus is service excellence, communication/transparency, innovation, and data integrity and work flow integration.
• Ensures staff has the information and resources to make successful plans and decisions.
• Ensures all people related issues, including recruitment, grievances and labour relations issues, are aligned to HR and Corporate standards and practices.
• Helps to break down barriers to employee success, ensuring collaboration and cooperation with other teams within their division and department.
• Ensures Occupational Health & Safety policies, programs and practices are implemented, and maintained.  This includes workplace inspections, monitoring, accident reporting and investigations, and ensuring any observed hazards or lapses in the functioning of OH&S processes, and other OH&S concerns are responded to promptly.
• Ensures all individuals under supervision have been informed of hazards and instructed on the necessary risk control and emergency response measures.

Develops, manages and administers annual and multi-year Capital and Operating budgets for the division/operating unit, ensuring support of Council’s objectives, financial transparency and accountability, budget adherence, identifying and explaining variances, and financial reporting is  effectively managed in compliance with corporate financial policies.  Authorize, and administer the acquisition of goods and services for the operating unit and direct reports in accordance with the procurement policy and procedures. (5% of time).

Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned or required.

Special Requirements

• Must maintain ability to travel in a timely manner to other offices, work locations or sites as authorized by the Corporation for business reasons.
• In accordance with the Corporate Criminal Record Check Policy, the position requires the incumbent to undergo a Criminal Records Check and submit a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate.
• Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values.

HOW TO APPLY

Uncover the wonder of the Niagara Region and join a team dedicated to meeting tomorrow’s challenges TODAY! To view the full job description and requirements, visit our Careers page.

We thank all candidates for their interest however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We confirm that we do not use AI in screening of applicants, and this position is an existing vacancy.

Let us know why you would be an excellent team member by submitting your online application no later than February 11, 2026, before midnight by visiting our ‘Careers’ page.