Controllership And Risk Lead

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is one of the largest employers in the province, employing more than 60,000 people. We have a wide range of meaningful and rewarding career opportunities in communities across Ontario. We welcome new ideas and new people, encourage learning and development, and reward achievement. We offer challenging work and competitive pay and benefits.
Are you interested in being an integral part of a team that promotes sound controllership practices through education, compliance reviews, and process improvements? Are you looking to utilize your unique skill set and technical accounting knowledge to advise and support internal clients in our Ministry and the greater Ontario Public Service (OPS)? Consider this exciting opportunity with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
*Note: This position is located at 300 Water St, Peterborough; however, alternate work arrangements may be available.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.
We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.
We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

You will:
- lead the planning, development, implementation, management and oversight of corporate financial management and internal control framework to ensure effective financial management systems, and internal controls for the ministry
- oversee the Certificate of Assurance process for the ministry and ensures corrective action identified is achieved.
- ensure an appropriate audit trail is in place with all approvals/documentation to support the internal processes, financial information and the Certificate of Assurance.
- lead communication and support, and to provide centralized Controllership and financial management systems expertise to ministry senior management and staff, and external stakeholders, in order to ensure consistency of controllership with government requirements
- provide leadership in the development, implementation and management of financial/controllership policies, systems and processes
- manage multiple, concurrent controllership improvement projects
- provide and make recommendations to ministry senior management on controllership, financial and related matters, with workable options
- be responsible for ongoing management of IFIS and other financial management systems to ensure effective financial control and accuracy of financial data
- provide technical leadership, guidance and training to staff and others

How do I qualify?

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:

You have:
- analytical and problem-solving skills to investigate or assess complex/contentious Controllership and financial systems issues, lead the development and implementation of controllership processes/practices/systems, and develop options and recommendations for senior management.
- the ability to interpret and apply directives, legislation, policies, standards, and priorities.
- the ability to lead and conduct complex financial and business process risk assessments and review internal systems and accountability frameworks.

Project Management and Team Leadership Skills:

You have:
- demonstrated project management and team leadership skills to lead multi-disciplinary teams in assessing controllership issues and developing and implementing solutions.
- interpersonal skills to build and maintain effective working relationships with others to support horizontal, collaborative approaches to problem-solving.
- demonstrated negotiation skills to oversee controllership projects, collaborate with stakeholders, advocate for cost-effective control measures, and influence decision-making regarding initiatives, including risk mitigation strategies.

Communication, Interpersonal and Presentation Skills:

You have:
- written and oral communication skills to provide advice and guidance, prepare proposals, business cases, briefing notes, reports and recommendations, and conduct training sessions for management and staff.
- experience leading and providing advice to senior management regarding Controllership and Risk management strategies to meet business objectives; influence corrective action; advise on business strategies to avoid risk; and lead the response to audit recommendations.
- presentation and persuasion skills to provide explanations of complex business risk and financial management issues, to identify appropriate action; to discuss the implications of audit findings with clients and senior management; and to identify necessary changes to financial controls, policies, and procedures to ensure appropriate protection of assets.

Controllership Knowledge:

You have:
- knowledge of/ability to gain knowledge of controllership policy/directives and best practices, internal control frameworks, and audit theories, principles, and techniques.
- knowledge of/ability to gain knowledge of government and ministry financial management policies/processes/practices, including risk assessment/management strategies, government and financial reporting requirements and practices.
- knowledge of financial information systems (e.g., IFIS and other financial systems).
- knowledge of/ability to gain knowledge of ministry business programs, procurement policies and directions and corporate directives, policies and guidelines relating to the stewardship of ministry financial resources.