Director, Finance

Pender & Howe is proud to partner with CASTL in the search for a Director, Finance - a strategic leadership role responsible for driving financial strategy, stewardship, and fiduciary oversight in support of CASTL’s national not-for-profit mandate.

Location: Montreal, QC or Charlottetown, PEI.

The Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL) is a national, mission-driven organization dedicated to solving Canada’s biomanufacturing talent challenge by delivering industry-informed, world-class training in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and broader life sciences.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a purpose-driven organization making a meaningful impact across Canada.

Key highlights of the role include:

• Serving as a key advisor to the CEO and executive team, providing strategic financial leadership, risk management, and performance insight
• Ensuring financial sustainability, robust governance, and accountability to government funders, industry partners, and the board
• Partnership with operations and technical training to deliver advanced financial and operational analytics, enabling data-driven decision-making across programs, facilities, and funding streams

What you’ll do:

• Lead CASTL’s financial strategy, long-range planning, forecasting, and organizational sustainability initiatives
• Partner with the CEO and leadership team to support government funding, industry partnerships, and revenue optimization
• Oversee budgeting, financial reporting, cash flow management, audit processes, and internal controls across a multi-site organization
• Deliver advanced financial and operational analytics to support program delivery, facility utilization, and strategic decision-making
• Provide financial leadership and governance support to the CEO, Board of Directors, and Audit & Finance Committees
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across financial systems, reporting, automation, and performance measurement
• Oversee financial compliance within a complex, grant- and program-funded environment, including government reporting and audits
• Lead and mentor the finance function while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence

We're looking for:

• CPA designation with progressive senior finance leadership experience
• Experience within not-for-profit, public sector, charitable, or government-funded organizations
• Deep expertise in FP&A, financial governance, audit oversight, internal controls, and funding models
• Demonstrated success supporting executive leadership and Boards with strategic financial insight and reporting
• Experience leading within multi-site or distributed organizations
• Strong analytical and business partnering capabilities with the ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations
• Experience supporting or overseeing IT systems, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure initiatives
• A collaborative, mission-driven leader with exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills

CASTL has retained Pender & Howe to lead the recruitment initiative for their Director, Finance position.

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