Director, Finance and Controller

YVR is a place of connection, bringing together people, places and cargo while ensuring a safe and efficient experience for everyone. The Finance Department plays a critical role in enabling this mission by providing strategic financial leadership and operational excellence.

Position overview

We have an opportunity for a permanent, full-time Director, Finance and Controller in the Finance Department. Reporting to the Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, the Director is a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for leading YVR’s finance operations, including accounting, tax, finance systems, and financial reporting.

With a strategic and systems-oriented mindset, the Director ensures the organization has access to accurate, timely, and insightful financial information, while optimizing financial processes for control effectiveness, user experience, and operational efficiency.

This role incorporates technology and data-driven approaches to simplify workflows, enhance processes, and maintain a strong focus on compliance and risk management.

As the primary liaison with external auditors, the Director is also accountable for ensuring all entities within the YVR group remain compliant with financial regulatory requirements. This role plays a critical part in safeguarding YVR’s financial integrity and reputation.

A collaborative leader and cross-functional partner, the Director works closely with teams across Finance, IT, Supply Management, and other departments to embed a culture of financial stewardship and continuous improvement. As a key member of the leadership team, this individual ensures that all activities within the Finance and Accounting group reflect YVR’s values and risk culture.

Key responsibilities include:  

• Lead and develop a high-performing finance team with deep expertise in financial fundamentals and data-driven practices. 
• Oversee all aspects of financial operations, including accounting, tax, and financial reporting. Ensure robust internal controls, accurate and compliant reporting, and integration of financial data to support advanced analytics and predictive modeling. 
• Drive financial technology and process innovation by guiding the Finance function’s technology roadmap.
• Oversee the integration and optimization of Finance systems and collaborate with IT to implement a data platform that enhances operational efficiency and strategic decision-making.
• Foster a collaborative, curious, and inclusive work environment, implement leadership development programs, and manage performance reviews and staffing decisions
• Provide strategic financial leadership and governance, including developing finance policies, reviewing large and complex transactions, and implementing operational controls. Prepare financial memos and presentations for the Finance and Audit Committee and, when required, the Board of Directors.
• Participate in cross-functional committees, such as the Directors’ Working Group and Sustainability Working Group, contributing financial expertise to enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Champion continuous improvement and innovation, evolving financial reporting processes to meet changing organizational needs and leveraging emerging technologies to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Communicate complex financial concepts clearly and effectively across all levels of the organization, ensuring alignment and understanding.

Key qualifications include:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in financial reporting, accounting, and financial management, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Bachelor’s degree in commerce, Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.
• Strong proficiency in Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, including IFRS, ASPE, and ASNPO.
• Solid understanding of Canadian corporate income tax regulations and corporate finance fundamentals.
• Proven experience in leading cross-functional teams and collaborating effectively with internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to operate within a complex regulatory environment, ensuring compliance with all financial and reporting requirements.
• Familiarity with the airline industry or airport business models is considered an asset.

Year One Critical Success Factors

• Build a cohesive and high-performing finance team, fostering leadership development, strengthening internal controls, and embedding a culture of collaboration, curiosity, innovation, and accountability.
• Develop a deep understanding of the Vancouver Airport Authority, its people, departments, strategy, culture, and vision for the future. 
• Establish a streamlined financial reporting framework that enhances accuracy, efficiency, and compliance across all entities, while better enabling analysis and performance insights.

This position is open to both Vancouver Airport Authority employees and external applicants. Previous job performance will be taken into consideration for all internal candidates that apply for this position.

As part of our recruitment process, short-listed candidates may be required to participate in an assessment process.

Salary Range : $161,600 to $242,400 per annum, based on 37.5-hour work week. This is individually tailored to reflect your unique experience, qualifications and internal equity. Performance-Based Incentive: Eligible for an annual bonus target at 20% of your annual salary.

At YVR, your work experience goes beyond the paycheck. We support your personal and professional development, well-being, and a thriving work culture with generous vacation days, extensive health benefits, retirement savings matching, wellness programs, community engagement, commuting support, and continuous learning opportunities. Learn more at https://careers.yvr.ca/benefits.

YVR is more than just an airport. We connect our beautiful province and all it has to offer to the world. We are all leaders and trailblazers for change and innovation, so no matter the department or team you’re a part of, the work you do matters.

At YVR, we are flexible in everything we do. We will work together to find ways to deliver customer excellence that helps us all thrive.

Whatever your background and wherever you’re from, you belong at YVR. If you have any questions about accessibility or require any assistance applying, please reach out at careers@yvr.ca.