Senior Director of Finance, Corporate Services

Hybrid / Toronto, ON
Finance & Accounting

Position Overview

Thorek/Scott and Partners has been retained by The University Health Network (UHN) to source the Senior Director of Finance, Corporate Services.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Director of Finance, Corporate Services is responsible for overseeing financial services, including Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Treasury Operations, Cash, Investment and Debt Management, Financial Accounting, Reporting and Audit, and Finance Systems. UHN is the largest complex healthcare organization in Canada and one of the largest in North America.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of overseeing financial reporting, AP/AR, compliance, and continuous improvement. As a people leader, the Senior Director will mentor and coach a group of professionals, instilling innovation, problem-solving, critical thinking, and a culture of service.

Role Responsibilities

  • Provides overall leadership and direction to the Corporate Services unit that deliver a full spectrum of financial support. Encourages a culture of service, innovation and problem-solving in support of UHN’s mission.
  • Provides stewardship of all organizational resources and financial systems, maintaining appropriate controls, and integrity of financial management in compliance with applicable legal, governmental and regulatory requirements.
  • Recommends and develops strategy, innovation, and best practices for the back office Finance business.
  • Benchmarks and evaluates finance operations to ensure the controls, processes and tools are among the best practice/cutting edge; identifies gaps and recommends strategy and roadmap to DCFO.
  • Drives continuous process improvements and strategic initiatives to ensure efficient use of resources and effective use of technology, advances and executes a transformative IT strategy.
  • Ensure optimal internal controls and ensures appropriate financial policies, procedures and metrics are in place to deliver quality service and effectively monitor the use of hospital resources.
  • Oversees financial reporting; ensuring preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
  • Develops meaningful, accurate, and timely financial reports, analysis (MD&A) and presentations to fulfill senior management, Board and Board Committee Requirements.
  • Ensures healthy cash flow, working capital, and investment portfolio by optimizing revenue streams; and maintaining effective working relationship with investment manager and oversees investment policies.
  • Strategically manages Debt and Financing to ensure all contractual & compliance requirements are met.
  • Establishes departmental goals and objectives, developing short and long term plans and budget, while monitoring and evaluating the progress in achieving these plans.
  • Provides direction/coaching to a highly motivated & experienced corporate services management team.
  • Builds partnerships, works collaboratively and effectively communicates financial matters to diverse groups both within and external to UHN.
  • Contributes to the broader Hospital mandate through participation in enterprise wide projects and committees.

Desired Qualifications

  • A university degree in Business (or related discipline) from a recognized and accredited educational institution
  • Recognized professional accounting designation; CPA (or equivalent)
  • A minimum of ten years of progressively senior financial management experience in a complex organization providing broad knowledge of the controllership, financial reporting, procurement, revenue, billings and analysis functions
  • Previous experience in leading significant organizational change in a large de-centralized environment
  • Exceptional communication skills with the ability to articulate complex financial issues to a broad and diverse audience
  • A strong service orientation with a passion to advance the mission of the University health Network
  • Ability to work and thrive in a changing environment while experiencing financial constraints
  • Extensive experience with debt management, developing financing scenarios, treasury and cash management
  • Demonstrated success in overseeing financial systems and improving financial processes
  • Experience interacting with and presenting to senior management and Board Committees
  • A proven track record of creating and maintaining effective high performing teams
  • Strong presentation and communications capabilities – both written and verbal
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills with the ability to identify trends, establish benchmarks and provide credible analysis and business recommendations
  • Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to create integrated plans, influence outcomes and engage multiple stakeholders
  • Excellent knowledge of ERP financial systems (experience with SAP financial systems would be an asset)
  • Experience with Revenue, Treasury, Cash, Debt and Financial Management
  • Experience in large, complex, de-centralized organizations is preferred
  • Experience in healthcare is beneficial
  • Knowledge of Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive an asset

We appreciate your interest in this role.

In sharing your resume, you place your trust in us to treat you with integrity and respect and act in your best interests. All resumes will be held in the strictest of confidence.

Those who most closely meet our client’s requirements will be contacted for an interview.

Please pass this opportunity forward. We welcome all referrals should someone in your network benefit from this opportunity.

Apply Now

"*" indicates required fields

Accepted file types: pdf, docx, doc, Max. file size: 8 MB.

All resumes will be held in the strictest of confidence

Share with a friend

Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to receive alerts on our new opportunities!

Katie Watt

Research and Operations Specialist

Katie enjoys being part of the Research and Operations division at Thorek/Scott and Partners. Katie utilizes her skills in research, project and data management to support the recruiting efforts of the Thorek/Scott and Partners team. She enjoys working in the positive team atmosphere that Thorek/Scott and Partners offers.

After completing her Master’s in Geography at the University of Toronto, Katie worked in consulting in the environmental non-profit sector where she conducted policy analysis and delivered workshops on sustainable development. Katie continues to pursue her passions of environmental protection by volunteering with local environmental non-profit organizations.

Lisa is thrilled to be a part of the team at Thorek/Scott and Partners. Lisa’s deep background in financial services, relationship building, and customer service coupled with her background in operations and support has been instrumental to the firm’s Research and Operations division. Prior to joining Thorek/Scott and Partners, Lisa worked for over 10 years in a large Canadian Bank in front facing, client operational roles. Having worked for large organizations in the past, she is delighted to be part of a close-knit group and enjoys the upbeat office and friendly environment at Thorek/Scott and Partners.

In her free time, Lisa enjoys reading, crafting and spending time with family and friends.

Derek Young is a former finance professional turned recruitment consultant. He connects top-tier talent with prestigious organizations seeking exceptional leaders. His expertise lies in the recruitment of high-caliber risk and compliance professionals for investment management, real estate, and financial services firms across North America.

Derek joined Thorek/Scott and Partners after a successful tenure with one of the largest globally recognized recruitment firms, where he specialized in consulting legal and compliance professionals across financial & professional services. He is passionate about helping people fulfil their long-term career aspirations. Derek’s personable approach and knowledge of the financial landscape allows him to develop strong relationships with both candidates and clients.

After completing his B.Com from the University of Toronto’s Finance program, Derek began his career as a financial advisor working for two of Canada’s largest wealth managers. These roles taught him the importance of listening to his clients and always putting their goals first. Derek has lived and traveled in Ireland, Europe, Asia and Africa. He enjoys playing and watching a variety of sports, and spending time with friends and family.

Lisa is thrilled to join the Thorek/Scott and Partners team and brings 30 years of experience in large public sector organizations. She has held multiple executive leadership positions in the education sector and as CEO was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization including Human Resources, Operations, Information Technology, Finance, Capital, and Leadership.

Lisa brings her insight and experience to executive recruitment. She is a highly motivated and goal-oriented professional dedicated to finding high quality talent.

Lisa has worked with multiple stakeholders within the community and at the Provincial level. She has trained senior executives on Strategic Planning and Implementation in Canada and the United States. She has taught Masters’ level courses and College programs. She has authored documents on Strategic Planning, Poverty, Succession Planning and Leadership Development.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Leadership/Administration. Lisa completed the Executive Leadership programs at Rotman School of Management and the Richard Ivey School of Business as well as earning multiple certificates at the Queens Executive Education Program.

Lisa belongs to several professional organizations including the Professional Women’s Network, Equal Voice and Elevate. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, travelling, and giving back to her community.

Lauren Thorek is proud to be a member of the recruiting team at Thorek/Scott and Partners. Since joining the firm, Lauren has taken an active role in providing the highest levels of service and support to our clients and candidates.

Ethical, passionate and innovative, Lauren builds lasting relationships and strives to create solutions tailored to fit the short-term needs and long-term goals unique to different individuals and organizations. She thrives on challenge and is motivated by exceeding expectations on tough, hard to close searches.

Active in multiple sectors including Real Estate, and Investments and Financial Services, Lauren views success as being a passionate advocate for her candidates and a valued partner to her clients.

Sari Friedman is delighted to be back at Thorek/Scott and Partners. With over 25 years of real estate and finance experience and a passion for people, transitioning into the recruitment industry was a natural fit for Sari. 

She brings multiple experiences and synergetic attributes to her role at Thorek/Scott. Having worked as an equity research associate covering real estate and REITs, Sari has a strong understanding of the real estate industry. She holds a real estate license, has actively traded real estate and is a personal investor. Sari’s technical insight combined with her outstanding business acumen, strong negotiation and research skills adds tremendous value to clients and candidates. 

Sari is well known for her caring and friendly demeanour. She is passionate about helping people with an emphasis on providing an individualized human experience. She will often go above and beyond when coaching her candidates and clients throughout the recruitment process. Sari takes the time to understand the needs of her clients and candidates and creates long lasting relationships. 

Sari graduated from University of Western Ontario majoring in Economics and earned her MBA from the University of Toronto Rotman Management Program. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, travelling and camping.

Steven is a CPA who graduated with an honours bachelors degree in business from McMaster University & from Cornell University with an Executive MBA. Before joining Thorek/Scott he spent his career in industry, building large support service teams and also taking an active role in the overall corporate recruitment functions as a VP/CFO. He prides himself as a recruiter who is transparent, a great communicator and gives honest feedback.

Steven is passionate about travelling, having visited over 130 countries, and about his Toronto Maple Leafs.

Faye Thorek is an accomplished executive search consultant with over 40 years of experience in the Canadian recruitment market. Known for her keen insight and compassionate dedication to her work, Faye envisions herself as an advocate for those with whom she conducts business. Over the years, Faye has consulted numerous companies on how to best craft their strategic vision and then taken the lead on executing that mandate. She has spoken on recruitment and search issues to a wide range of audiences.

Outside of the office, Faye is also a committed investor in people. She volunteers with Out of the Cold, Kids.now, and Bereaved Families of Ontario (BFO). She has sat on the Professional Development Steering Committee of the HRPAO. She is a former member of the Board at BFO and the North York Harvest Food Bank.

Having founded Thorek/Scott and Partners over four decades ago, Michael Thorek has been shepherding its growth ever since. Together with his wife, Michael is dedicated to building a business with humanity, innovation, and excellence at its core. A specialist in the recruitment of talent for the Financial Services Industry, Michael has currently turned his interest towards the field of Risk Management, Capital Markets and Database Marketing Analytics. A jack of many trades, Michael is also a father, inventor, scholar and scribe, who possess a keen interest in comparative religions.