Location: Anywhere in Canada (remote or in person options available)
Hours: 30 to 37.5 hours a week
Salary: $80,000-$95,000 FTE
Type: Permanent
Deadline: Nov. 12, 2023
Who are we?
The Narwhal is an award-winning online magazine that publishes in-depth and investigative journalism about the natural world in Canada.
Think of us as part newsroom, part non-profit and part startup. As a non-profit, reader-funded news organization, our goal isn’t to sell advertising or to please corporate bigwigs — it’s to bring evidence-based news and analysis to the surface for our readers. We’re part of a revolution in public-interest journalism that is reinvigorating the relationship between readers and the reporters who hustle on their behalf — and we want you to join us.
The storytellers in any society hold tremendous power. At The Narwhal, we recognize that this power represents both a privilege and a responsibility and we aim to use this power for the public good. The Narwhal is working to build an inclusive and equitable team that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage applications from communities traditionally underrepresented in this field.
About the gig
As our Director of Operations & Finance, you’ll work closely with our Executive Director to lead seamless fiscal, operational and human resource management systems, procedures and processes for our team of 23 staff. The successful candidate will have solid fiscal management skills (our annual operating budget is currently about $3 million), knowledge of non-profit accounting and a working knowledge of human resource laws, administration and best practices. In this role, you will be supported by a professional accountant and a fractional HR firm.
The successful candidate will play a critical role on the senior leadership team in strategic decision-making as The Narwhal grows its impact and capacity.
Our ideal candidate has experience in an operations or finance role in a journalistic or social impact organization and has a knack for people management. Your friends probably describe you as the most organized person they know and you are legitimately stoked about creating efficient systems. You are passionate about Indigenous reconciliation and decolonization and building a news organization that reflects the communities it serves in both its staff and its coverage. You thrive on enabling the professional development of staff and have proven experience as a manager and mentor who is humble, patient, collaborative and fun.
Responsibilities
Financial management
- Oversee and lead annual budget and planning process
- Analyze and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner and keep Executive Director informed of organization’s financial status
- Ensure systems are in place to build and track budgets throughout different areas of the organization
- Manage organizational cash flow and forecasting
- Oversee all financial, project and grants accounting
- Ensure financial reporting is complete and accurate, and liaise with The Narwhal’s accountant to prepare annual financial statements and provincial and federal filings
- Work closely with The Narwhal’s accountant to reconcile monthly reports as needed
Human resources
- Work closely with the Executive Director and HR firm to implement and maintain policies, procedures and systems
- Coordinate on payroll with accountant and oversee benefits administration
- Assist with processes for recruiting, onboarding, offboarding, exit interviews and other human resource needs, in collaboration with HR firm
- Ensure that managers are completing performance reviews in a timely manner and that all employee personnel files are current
- Support recruitment efforts, with a special focus on recruiting and retaining people from communities that have long been underrepresented in journalism
- Hire and manage operations coordinator (a new role, to be hired in first half of 2024)
- Manage and maintain all employment agreements and contracts across provinces with both staff and freelancers
- Work to create an organizational culture that sets all team members up for success
- Work to ensure The Narwhal is one of the best places to work in Canadian journalism by continually improving compensation and benefits, performance evaluation, training and professional development opportunities
Operations
- In collaboration with leadership team, develop strategic vision and growth pathways for organization
- Oversee management and maintenance of all office systems and facilities
- Oversee organizational insurance policies
- Collaborate with our third-party digital security provider to maintain the highest levels of digital security, and establish risk assessment and emergency planning procedures
- Oversee compliance with provincial and federal regulations
- In collaboration with Executive Director, track policy changes that impact organization and maintain relationships with government and other industry stakeholders
- Manage board operations, including communications with board members and meeting logistics
- Draft external and internal communications, including board decks, donor updates and team presentations
- Assist with fundraising and grant reporting as needed
Qualifications
Required skills & experience
- At least five years of experience in a similar role, including supervisory experience
- Demonstrated success as a manager with responsibility for staff supervision, planning and budgeting
- Familiarity with HR best practices and employment law (you will be supported by an HR consultant in this role, so you don’t need to be an expert, but should have some familiarity)
- Experience managing a budget of at least $2 million and an understanding of financial reports and accounting processes
- Demonstrated success fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for a forward-thinking organization
- Knowledge of organizational management and operational efficiency
- Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Experience with tools such as Bamboo, Slack, G Suite, Google Analytics, CRM solutions and project management software
- Track record of managing, developing and retaining individuals and teams, and empowering them to elevate their levels of responsibility and performance
- Ability to lead with empathy, sensitivity and a high degree of emotional intelligence
Desired skills (nice to have)
- Experience fundraising and knowledge of the Canadian foundation landscape
- Experience in a news organization or startup environment
What we offer
- Group health, vision and dental benefits after three months and a health spending account
- Professional development opportunities
- A flexible workplace with a vibrant, collaborative culture
- Work from home stipend or an opportunity to work from an office in Toronto, Vancouver or Victoria
- Four weeks’ vacation and annual holiday closure
How to apply and what to expect
Please don’t be discouraged from applying if you do not possess the precise combination of all of the skills, attributes, qualifications and experience listed above.
To apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé by Nov. 12, at the latest, via this link. Please include your full name in the file name of any attachments you submit.
Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted further.
This is what to expect during the hiring process:
- Selected candidates will be invited to a first-round interview. Following that, there will likely be an assignment and selected candidates will be invited to a second and possibly third interview.
- Candidates will meet a mix of operations and editorial team members.
- The hiring committee will consist of three interviewers in each session.
- All interviews will be conducted online via Zoom
- We are hoping for our new Director of Operations & Finance to start in early January
The Narwhal is working to build an inclusive and equitable team that reflects the communities we serve. People who identify as being from marginalized communities, including Indigenous peoples, racialized people, people with disabilities, people identifying as 2SLGBTQ+, and people from low-income backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. Disability-related accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in our hiring process. If you are selected for an interview, please reply with your needs or any questions you have about this.
Lead image: Rick Collins / The Narwhal
