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APPLY by July 17, 2026 CLOSED

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Division: New Dawn Deadline to apply: July 17, 2026, 5:00 pm Email resume to: Human Resources <hr@newdawn.ca> Schedule: Permanent, Full-Time Salary/Wage: $95-000-$110,000 annually, commensurate with relevant education and experience Openings: 1

Job Description

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a senior leader responsible for the financial stewardship, strategy, and sustainability of New Dawn’s diverse and growing portfolio of operations. The CFO ensures that financial systems, planning, and decision-making align with the organization’s mission, values, and long-term vision.

This role operates beyond traditional financial management, the CFO is a key partner in shaping and executing New Dawn’s strategic direction, supporting capital development projects, organizational financial sustainability and stewardship, and social enterprise growth, development, and acquisition. The CFO provides leadership across a diverse portfolio of social enterprises, charitable and non-profit activities, real estate holdings, and community development initiatives operating within a multi-entity structure.

The CFO brings clarity to complexity and proactively applies their expertise, accounting principles, and industry best practices to identify opportunities for improvement across the organization. They champion new systems, efficiencies, and controls, anticipate challenges before they arise, and recommend solutions that strengthen operations and support informed decision-making. Committed to building organizational capacity, they actively share financial knowledge and insights throughout the organization while helping to balance profitability with community transformation.

Primary Areas of Responsibility 

Organizational Financial Leadership; Strategic Financial Insight & Advising; Financial Processes, Systems & Organizational Integration; Compliance, Audit & Risk Management; Treasury, Cash Flow & Asset Management; Financial Reporting & Analysis 

Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Financial Leadership

  • Participate actively in senior leadership planning and discussions, offering a financial health and accountability lens to organizational stewardship, planning and decision-making
  • Provide the CEO, Vice Presidents, and Board of Directors (when requested by CEO) with accurate, dependable, and timely financial information including reports, dashboards, and analyses
  • Participate in organization-wide planning, policy development, and strategic initiatives
  • Support a culture of transparency, shared understanding, and responsible financial management across departments 
  • Communicate complex financial information in clear, plain language to leaders, staff, partners, and community stakeholders
  • Provide direction, coaching, and oversight to the Finance department team, ensuring high-quality work and ongoing professional development
  • Support a collaborative culture within the department and across the organization. Set clear expectations around accuracy, timeliness, and accountability in all financial processes within the department, and across the organization 
  • Build financial team capacity through training, mentorship, and the development of financial expertise

Strategic Financial Insight & Advising

  • Develop and lead the organization’s long-term financial strategy, ensuring alignment between mission objectives, operational priorities, capital investments, and financial sustainability
  • Offer strategic financial insights, scenario planning, and forecasting that support organizational growth, stability, and long-term sustainability
  • Advise on investments, capital planning, cash flow management, and risk mitigation 
  • Monitor trends, emerging risks, and external economic factors that may influence New Dawn’s operations or opportunities

Financial Processes, Systems & Organizational Integration 

  • Identify, evaluate, and implement new financial systems, processes, and technologies that improve efficiency, accuracy, data accessibility, and clarity
  • Bring order and structure to a complex organization with multiple revenue streams, programs, and business lines 
  • Develop tools, templates, and processes that help non-finance staff better understand budgets, financial goals, and reporting requirements 
  • Strengthen internal controls, documentation practices, and financial workflows 
  • Lead or support process improvement initiatives that enhance organizational efficiency and operational coherence 

Compliance, Audit & Risk Management 

  • Ensure compliance with all regulatory, legal, and contractual financial obligations 
  • Lead the annual audit and/or external review process, liaising with external auditors and ensuring timely completion 
  • Oversee the direct preparation and submission of government reports, filings, and preparation of funding-related financial documents at the request of managers/staff 
  • Ensure appropriate stewardship and risk mitigation processes, and financial safeguards are in place across the organization 

Treasury, Cash Flow & Asset Management 

  • Manage cash flow planning and monitoring to ensure adequate liquidity for operations and strategic initiatives 
  • Oversee banking relationships, investment strategies, and capital reserves 
  • Support real estate and capital project planning, including financing and analysis of major investments 
  • Ensure strong systems for managing receivables, payables, procurement, and payroll

Financial Reporting & Analysis 

  • Oversee the production of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for all divisions and business units and New Dawn Enterprises Consolidated 
  • Ensure financial reports are complete, accurate, and aligned with relevant accounting standards 
  • Support annual budgeting processes, monitor performance, and support departmental leaders in interpreting financial information 
  • Prepare financial information and analysis for board reports, senior leadership analysis and decision making, funding applications, audits, and government filings

Other Duties & Responsibilities 

  • Participate in team meetings and organizational activities as required
  • Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and contribute to the development and implementation of effective solutions
  • Maintain high standards of quality, safety, and confidentiality in all interactions involving employees, clients, volunteers, and organizational information
  • Demonstrate professionalism, tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity in all interactions, representing New Dawn in a manner consistent with its mission, vision, and values
  • Maintain and enhance professional knowledge and skills through ongoing learning, professional development, networking, and participation in relevant professional associations
  • Foster positive workplace relationships through effective communication, mutual respect, collaboration, and reliable follow-through
  • Champion and promote New Dawn’s mission, vision, and values both internally and externally

Core Competencies

  • Servant leadership 
  • Ethics and integrity  
  • Client and community-focused 
  • Initiative and problem solving     
  • Accountability and dependability  
  • Strong oral and written communication 
  • Teamwork and collaboration      
  • Detail orientation   
  • Adaptability 
  • Leadership

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study (i.e. Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Commerce, Economics, etc.)
  • Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation (exceptional candidates with equivalent senior financial leadership credentials and extensive experience may be considered)
  • Minimum five (5) years progressive financial leadership experience, including experience in a senior finance leadership role responsible for organizational financial strategy, reporting, budgeting, and team leadership.
  • Demonstrated success leading finance teams and implementing financial systems  
  • Strong analytical, forecasting, and strategic planning skills 
  • Demonstrated expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, audit preparation, and compliance 
  • Exceptional communication skills, with an ability to translate complex financial information for diverse audiences
  • Experience working with non-profit, social enterprise, or multi-unit corporate structures considered an asset
  • Demonstrated compassion, empathy, diplomacy, and sound problem-solving skills
  • Experience working with and advocating for individuals and communities facing vulnerability and systemic barriers
  • Ability to work independently, collaboratively as part of a team, and under direction when required
  • Strong attention to detail, with exceptional verbal and written communication skills
  • Proven ability to build positive relationships and work effectively with others toward shared goals
  • Highly organized, with the ability to manage competing priorities and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment
  • Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, accountability, and commitment to confidentiality
  • Understanding of and working with diverse communities and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered practice
  • Alignment with New Dawn’s mission, values, and servant leadership philosophy

Working Conditions

  • Regular interaction with employees, volunteers, management, participants, children, families, and members of the public
  • Travel between worksites and within the community may be required
  • Occasional overtime and evening or weekend work may be required to meet operational needs
  • Work is performed in an office and community setting and may be busy or noisy at times
  • Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a desktop computer, including the use of standard office equipment and peripherals

AIP Employer

New Dawn is proud to be an Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) employer. This means that New Dawn has been approved as an AIP employer and, as such, can endorse the AIP-PR application of an eligible employee.

Note: employees are responsible for verifying that the employment position/category is eligible under the AIP program, or any other immigration program/stream for which they intend to seek the support/endorsement of New Dawn.

Compensation Package

Salaried Employee Compensation Package 

New Dawn Enterprises believes in supporting the well-being of its employees and, in service of this, has created the following compensation package for permanent, salaried employees of New Dawn Enterprises, in addition to their salaries.

Canada Life Group Benefits: Medical, Dental, Life Insurance

New Dawn offers its employees group benefits provided by Group Health. Fifty percent (50%) of these benefits are paid by the employer, except for Long-Term Disability benefits which are fully (100%) paid by the employee. The plan also includes a component for Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and Vision Care. Dependent life is also included.

Self-Directed Registered Retirement Savings Plan

Employees may choose to begin participation in New Dawn’s Self-Directed RRSP plan after completion of three (3) months of employment. Employees may contribute up to 5% of their gross salary, deducted from their pay cheque. This is matched by the employer to a maximum of five percent (5%).

Reduced Hours Work Week

In recognition of the benefits of greater work-life balance and the value of flexibility and autonomy for human wellbeing, New Dawn has adopted a Reduced Hour Work Week. All full-time salaried employees are required to be in the office for 32 hours per week. These hours can be worked over four or five days. At the start of employment, a schedule will be drafted that meets both the needs of the company and the employee.

Professional Development

New Dawn acknowledges and is committed to the ongoing professional development and lifelong learning aspirations of its staff. The acquisition of new position-relevant skills and perspectives by employees creates a stronger, more informed, and modern organization.

Employees are strongly encouraged to research and outline education and/or professional development opportunities to discuss with their manager in the creation of their work-plan.

Paid Holidays

New Dawn observes thirteen (13) public holidays and other days for which staff will be paid. They are: New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day

In the spirit of family, the President reserves the right to close the office between Christmas and New Year’s to enable employees to spend time with their families. This option will be reviewed, and a decision made annually depending on operational requirements. These non-statutory days will have no impact on employee vacation time.

Paid Vacation

All new employees entering the organization as a salaried employee will earn 15 days of paid vacation during the annum.

Mental and Physical Health Days 

Employees will be entitled to seven (7) days paid leave at the beginning of each calendar year. This can be carried forward to a maximum of fifteen (15) days total. It can be used for physical and metal wellness/illness and appointments for the employee or their family members.

Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)

New Dawn’s Group Benefits Plan also includes the provision of an Employee and Family Assistance Program. The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP) is a support system that employees and their families can turn to for confidential help with stress, anxiety and depression, family and relationship issues, addictions, legal and financial difficulties, health and nutrition concerns and workplace and career difficulties. The program is confidential and optional and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Café Marie Discount

Employees of New Dawn Enterprises can take advantage of a 20% discount at Café Marie, located in the Eltuek Arts Centre.

Years of Service

The Years of Service Recognition Program recognizes and rewards the service of New Dawn employees at milestones in their careers. All permanent full-and-part-time New Dawn employees are eligible to receive the Years of Service award.

STAR Program

New Dawn is proud to recognize and reward the excellent work and achievements of its employees. Managers at New Dawn will be given an annual budget to provide ongoing and immediate recognition to their direct reports throughout the year.

Corporate YMCA Membership Program

In an effort to create more opportunity for staff health and wellness, New Dawn offers a corporate membership in partnership with the Cape Breton YMCA. The corporate membership gives staff a 12% discount on the cost of membership, additionally New Dawn pays half the cost of an individual discounted membership.

New Dawn

New Dawn is Canada’s oldest Community Development Corporation. Since 1976, we’ve been working to create a more just, healthy, and self-determined community by responding to local needs and driving long-term, systems-level change. Today, New Dawn continues to focus on self-reliance, resilience, and community-led transformation. Every day, we engage thousands of community members and employ over 150 Cape Bretoners through programs and services that are practical, creative, and grounded in care. Our work spans health and social care, housing, the arts, youth, immigration, and community development. Some of these services generate revenue, which we reinvest into our organization — fueling sustainability and deepening community impact.

Posted June 5, 2026 by Ardelle Reynolds
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Get in touch

New Dawn Enterprises
37 Nepean St, Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6A7
newdawn@newdawn.ca
902-539-9560

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Eymu’ti’k Unama’ki

Eymu’ti’k Unama’ki, newte’jk l’uiknek te’sikl Mi’kmawe’l maqamikall mna’q iknmuetumittl. Ula maqamikew wiaqi-wikasik Wantaqo’tie’l aqq I’lamatultimkewe’l Ankukamkewe’l Mi’kmaq aqq Eleke’wuti kisa’matultisnik 1726ek.

We are in Unama’ki, one of the seven traditional and unceded ancestral territories of the people of Mi’kma’ki. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which the Mi’kmaq first signed with the British Crown in 1726.

Ketu’-keknuite’tmek aqq kepmite’tmek ula tela’matultimkip wjit maqamikew ta’n etekl mtmo’taqne’l. Ula tett, ula maqamikek, etl-lukutiek l’tunen aqq apoqntmnen apoqnmasimk aqq weliknamk Unama’ki.

We wish to recognize and honour this understanding of the lands on which we reside. It is from here, on these lands, that we work to create and support a culture of self-reliance and vibrancy.