Director of Financial Strategy

Are you a strategic finance leader who thrives in a collaborative, evolving environment and is passionate about using financial insight to support organizational impact? Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS) is excited to invite applications for the position of Director of Financial Strategy. This is an exciting opportunity to provide strategic financial leadership, strengthen enterprise-wide decision-making, and help shape the continued evolution of NBS’ Finance function. 

About Us: 

Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS) is a leading arts and education institution dedicated to excellence in dance training, community programming, and health initiatives. NBS has 300+ employees supporting programs ranging from professional ballet training and community engagement to groundbreaking health initiatives. NBS fosters a collaborative, creative environment rooted in inclusion and continuous growth. 

The Role: 

Reporting to the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer (CSOO) and working closely with the Executive Director and Artistic Director, the Director of Financial Strategy is a key member of NBS’ Senior Management team. This role provides strategic leadership in financial planning, analysis, enterprise intelligence, decision support, and the continued evolution of Finance systems and processes. 

Working alongside the School’s Controller, the Finance Director will help transform the Finance function from a primarily reporting-oriented service into a stronger source of strategic insight and organizational decision support. The role will partner with leaders across NBS to align financial resources with organizational priorities, strengthen financial performance, and support the School’s long-term sustainability.  

Why You’ll Love This Role: 

• You’ll play a key role in shaping the financial strategy and long-term sustainability of a leading Canadian arts and education institution 
• You’ll work closely with senior leaders and organizational stakeholders to connect strategy, resources, and financial performance 
• You’ll have the opportunity to modernize and strengthen Finance systems, processes, technology, and analytics 
• You’ll use financial modelling, forecasting, and enterprise intelligence to support meaningful organizational decisions 
• You’ll lead and develop a Finance team while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture 
• You’ll contribute to NBS’ continued growth, innovation, and organizational impact through strategic financial leadership 

What You’ll Do:  

• Strategy, Budgeting and Forecasting: Lead long-range planning, annual budgeting, forecasting, scenario analysis, and modelling, aligning resources with NBS’ priorities. This position contributes to key outcomes outlined in Momentum 2023: NBS’ Strategic Plan 2025–2030. 
• Insight and Enterprise Intelligence: Lead management reporting, performance analysis, and data use to inform decisions, manage risks, and support resource allocation, revenue growth, and cost efficiencies. 
• Cross-Organizational Partnership: Collaborate with HR, payroll, compensation, benefits, pensions, student financial aid, and operations on integrated planning and reporting. 
• Finance Transformation and Team Leadership: Modernize systems, processes, and workflows to improve efficiency, data quality, and automation, while mentoring and developing Finance staff in a collaborative, inclusive culture. 
• Governance, Sustainability and Risk: With the Controller, support data governance, internal controls, compliance, and accounting standards, and oversee treasury, investments, cash flow, insurance, and financial risk. 
• Audits, External Relationships and Board Reporting: Support the annual audit, maintain relationships with auditors, financial institutions, and legal counsel, and serve as primary financial liaison to the Board of Directors and the Finance, Audit, Pension, and Investment Committees. 
• Equity and Senior Leadership: Champion equitable, transparent financial practices and contribute to organizational priorities as part of the Senior Management team. 

What You Bring: 

First and foremost, we value strategic finance leaders who bring strong financial expertise, sound judgement, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to using financial insight to support organizational impact. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification listed.  

• Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or related field (MBA or graduate degree an asset) 
• 10+ years of progressive financial and operational management experience, including senior-level strategy, analysis, and decision support 
• Expertise in planning, budgeting, forecasting, modelling, scenario analysis, and management reporting 
• Experience leading change and evolving financial systems, with advanced proficiency in emerging technology tools 
• Strong leadership and talent development skills 
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills 
• Solid grasp of governance, internal controls, compliance, risk management, and reporting 
• Clear communicator who can translate complex financial information for diverse audiences and prioritize in a fast-paced environment 
• Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging in financial and people decisions 
• Assets: analytics experience; not-for-profit, charitable, arts, education, or cultural sector experience 

Compensation: 

Salary Range: $130-000.00 - $140,000.00 annually commensurate with experience and aligned with internal equity. 

Total Rewards: 

• Health & Wellness Benefits: Dental, Health, Paramedical, Short- & Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program 
• Employer-matched Defined Contribution Pension Plan  
• Paid vacation time  
• Commitment to work-life balance 
• Professional development opportunities 
• Discounted rates for NBS Adult Ballet Classes 
• Employee discount at The Shoe Room, our dance retail store 
• Subsidized lunch, beverages, and snacks at our onsite café 
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment with opportunities to participate in employee engagement initiatives 

Our Commitment to Equity & Accessibility: 

NBS is committed to addressing systemic inequities in every facet of our organization, including programs, policies, and practices. It is NBS’ top priority to build a remarkable and talented workforce that reflects the diversity of the City of Toronto. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals, especially welcoming those with diverse intersectional identities who bring unique perspectives and contribute to the diversification of ideas. 

If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please inform us. 

Successful candidates must supply Canada’s National Ballet School with a Vulnerable Sector Check in accordance with the School’s Child Abuse/Sexual Abuse Prevention Policy; this will be coordinated through the Human Resources Department at NBS. 

Please note: This role is for an existing vacancy.