Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

About Us

The Sault Ste. Marie and District Group Health Association (GHA), is a not-for-profit and charitable healthcare organization operating as the Group Health Centre, providing outpatient primary care, specialty care, and other community-based health services to the population of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District.  

Group Health Centre was founded in 1963 as one of the first union-sponsored community health centers in Canada. Initially funded by thousands of Sault Ste. Marie steelworkers, Group Health Centre promised its members primary and preventative care with no out-of-pocket cost at a time before provincial health insurance existed. Today, over 55 Primary Care and Specialist physicians operate out of the Group Health Centre as independent professionals practicing in a group setting with Nurse Practitioners, Registered and Practical Nurses, and other certified health professionals. Governed by the GHA (a joint Community/Physician Board of Directors), the Group Heath Centre follows a multi-disciplinary approach to health care focusing on health promotion and illness prevention as a large part of its mandate. The Group Health Centre also operates the largest community-based diagnostic imaging clinics in the region, and its entire operation is tied together with an integrated Electronic Medical Record system. 

Since opening the doors over 60 years ago, the Centre has been a leader in medical innovation and the site of countless pilot projects and studies on a provincial, national, and international level. Some of the most notable successes include being the site for a World Health Organization study on preventative care in the 60s, being one of the first sites in Canada to employ “non-traditional nurses” (now known as Nurse Practitioners) in the 70s, and being one of the first sites in Canada to move to electronic medical records in the 90s. 

Group Health Centre has won National Best Practice Awards, was featured in Maclean’s Magazine as one of Canada’s top ten models of healthcare, and was once referred to as “Canada’s best kept health care secret” by Commissioner for the Future of Health Care in Canada, Roy Romanow. 

Group Health Association’s Vision, Mission & Values

VISION

Best health, best lives for our community

MISSION 

To provide exemplary care for our patients and to drive better health outcomes for our community

VALUES

Kindness ▪ Respect ▪ Compassion ▪ Accountability

The Position 

As a critical member of the Group Health Association’s (GHA) senior leadership team reporting to the President & CEO, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be a trusted partner to the CEO and will provide expert counsel to the organization, direct the fiscal operations, provide clear and concise financial information, make sound educated decisions for the organization, as well as participate in the organization’s financial and operational decision-making processes. This role is responsible for leading and monitoring the overall system-wide management of the organization’s financial planning, analysis, reporting and operations with a substantial operating budget. The Vice President & CFO will have a clear focus on developing financial objectives in alignment with the GHA’s vision, strategic direction and goals while serving as a senior source of advice, counsel and support in all areas of the financial management of the operations while fostering ethical, accountable decision making practices. The Vice President & CFO will be responsible for financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting and accounting, as well as ensuring compliance with all federal, provincial and local laws and regulations. The role also provides functional leadership to our Information Technology department. 

Leadership Expectations 

The Vice President & CFO plays a pivotal role in working with the President & CEO, the broader leadership team, physicians, staff and stakeholders to ensure that high quality care is delivered to all patients served by GHC. The Vice President & CFO supports the goals of the organization and acts as a role model for organizational values that emphasize kindness, respect, compassion, and accountability within a patient focused approach to service delivery. Along with the President & CEO and Executive Team, the Vice President & CFO will guide the organization through both great and difficult times.

The Vice President & CFO will lead by:

• Fostering an inclusive, supportive and values aligned culture;
• Optimizing resources to ensure efficiencies, quality of care and minimize risk exposures;
• Seeking to understand and address the reasons for ongoing organizational behaviour or the underlying problems, opportunities or external forces affecting the organization;
• Openly sharing information, advice or personal opinions to establish and foster a foundation of trust and credibility; 
• Driving actions that result in continuous incremental improvement;
• Anticipating future needs or opportunities for the organization and developing action plans to optimize results; 
• Setting challenging goals to further the organization’s mission, vision and strategy; 
• Restructuring the organization and own portfolio to maximize long-term sustainable results and support the organizational strategy; and
• Monitoring team and organizational performance and intervening as required to support continuous improvement and the achievement of established goals and objectives. 

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior source of advice, counsel and support in all areas of the financial management of the operations, fostering ethical, accountable decision making practices and stewardship of resources;
• Provide critical financial and operational information to the Senior Leadership Team and make actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations;
• Support the Senior Leadership Team in establishing and driving the overall financial health and performance of the organization in alignment with established accountability agreements with the Ministry of Health;
• Oversee long-term operating and capital budget planning in alignment with the organizations strategic plans;
• Accountable for leading and coordinating the development of an annual operating plan including business plans, operational and capital requirements, and budgets that support the strategic plan;
• Assess organizational performance against the annual budget and long-term strategies;
• Accountable for external banking relationships, including negotiation of all financing facilities;
• Oversee cash, investment and asset management activities;
• Evaluate and seek opportunities to continuously improve financial reporting to the organization and supporting information systems;
• Identify and assess financial and operational risks and implement controls and strategies so that risks are minimized;
• Ensure appropriate financial, risk, accounting and auditing policies and procedures of the organization are implemented, developed, maintained, approved and disclosed;
• Ensure the organization has complied with all legal and regulatory requirements for the organization’s financial information, reporting, disclosure requirements and internal controls over financial reporting;
• Provide direct support to the Resources and Audit Committee of the Board. Prepare and present financial reports and analysis to the Board of Directors and other stakeholders;
• Establish and maintain positive relationships between the organization and external entities including Ministry of Health, Ontario Health and the Algoma District Medical Group (ADMG);
• Liaise with external auditors on material financial issues;
• Oversee the Information Technology initiatives and strategy for the organization to achieve and support the organizations objectives and goals, as well as ensure appropriate risk mitigation and service delivery; and
• Senior leader responsible for functional leadership for a portfolio of corporate services.

Qualifications, Experience and Qualities 

The preferred candidate will possess a minimum of ten years’ experience in progressive leadership roles preferably in a healthcare setting; a chartered professional accountant designation (CPA) with an undergraduate or master’s degree in finance, business administration, accounting or related field; demonstrated experience and advance knowledge of financial management practices, as well as experience developing and leading innovative financial and corporate programs in a complex multi-stakeholder environment. 

The Vice President & CFO must be approachable and insightful, be able to maintain focus on priorities, be capable of maintaining composure in stressful situations and set an example of professionalism, integrity and values driven leadership. Through inspired leadership, the Vice President & CFO will delegate, develop, support, and motivate colleagues to deliver measurable outcomes within a collaborative, respectful environment.

The preferred candidate will have proven experience in the following:

• Knowledge in finance, accounting and budgeting principles and financial reporting standards for non-profit organizations;
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution and people management skills;
• Proven leadership ability, with a strong commitment to a collaborative and people-focused leadership approach that is honest, respectful, inspiring and kind; 
• Proven ability to build and maintain trusting and long lasting relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• A reputation for being an effective team player, with leadership values that reflect a commitment to the development of others and ability to deliver exceptional outcomes;
• Strong operational management expertise and strategic leadership abilities, with experience leading change and delivering results against challenging performance targets;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills; capable of setting performance standards, exhibiting good judgment and leading a team in meeting and exceeding objectives;
• Proven implementation skills and the capacity to advance an operational and strategic plan through systematic and progressive implementation; and
• Proven ability to champion and establish an inclusive, diverse and supportive environment.

Remuneration 

The Group Health Association offers an attractive salary, benefits and vacation package. The incumbent is eligible for participation in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) and the group benefit plan offered to management employees of the Group Health Association. 

To Apply

Interested applicants are invited to apply through our ADP Career Centre by Friday, February 21, 2025.

Group Health Centre is committed to an application and interview process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code/AODA. Applicants need to make any accommodation requests for the application or interview process known in advance by contacting the Human Resources Department at 705-759-5513. 

We thank all applicants, however only those under consideration will be contacted.