Chief Financial Officer

Job Description

Job DescriptionTurn financial data into decisions and strategy into action! Join our team as Chief Financial Officer and make an impact that counts.

• This full-time, permanent position will start ASAP, and will primarily work at our head office on Baker Street in beautiful Nelson, BC.

• Festival Site Work: The successful candidates will also be required to work on-site at the festival location near Salmo, BC for about 1 month each July.

The Chief Financial Officer defines and safeguards the financial future of Shambhala Music Festival and its 14 related corporations. This role requires a seasoned financial leader experienced in high-volume multi-entity environments, ideally including large-scale events or similarly complex seasonal operations. The CFO must bring advanced financial management expertise, strong risk governance, and sound decision-making during time-sensitive operational periods. The position leads long-range financial planning, multi-corporation governance, compliance, and cash-flow management while ensuring financial systems and practices support Shambhala’s mission, culture, and operational needs. The CFO also supports revenue growth and maintains sustainable financial health across all entities. A CPA designation is required.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Financial Planning: Lead the company’s financial planning and long-term strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and financial stability while providing strategic financial guidance to the CEO and executive leadership team.

• Financial Oversight: Manage all financial transactions and balances across 14 entities, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and compliance. Oversee consolidated financial statements, intercompany transactions, and tax strategy. Maintain real-time financial oversight during festival build, live operations, and teardown while using predictive analysis to identify trends and mitigate risks.

• Risk Mitigation: Identify and address festival-specific risks, including vendor and talent settlement risk, rapid procurement needs, and operational contingencies. Conduct annual risk assessments focused on liquidity, liabilities, compliance, and operational safety, with targeted reviews of settlement processes across departments. Evaluate liabilities and investments to strengthen financial safeguards and ensure ongoing stability.

• Budget Management: Collaborate with stakeholders to resolve budget discrepancies and project-specific financial challenges. Lead budget creation and management for all departments, including talent, production, staging, security, medical, and festival operations. Develop annual budgets, pro forma models, scenario analyses, and long-range projections. Monitor budgets and report variances promptly to protect the company’s financial position.

• Financial Reporting: Oversee year-end financial reporting, budgets, and monthly feedback processes to maintain transparency and accountability. Produce accurate year-end financial statements, monthly reporting packages, and budget to actual analyses. Implement real-time reporting tools and dashboards for festival operations. Generate and present monthly financial reports for each operating entity and track and report on Financial Key Performance Indicators.

• Team Leadership: Supervise and mentor all financial team members and provide on-site financial leadership during festival build, live operations, and teardown.

• Performance Analysis: Analyze current and projected financial statements to ensure operational activities and decisions align with the company’s goals and objectives.

• Cash Flow Management: Guarantee appropriate cash flow for day-to-day operations, maintaining liquidity to support growth, sustainability, and large seasonal cycles. Plan and manage high-volume cash cycles, including pre-festival procurement and post-event settlement, ensuring the organization remains prepared through festival-intensive periods.

• Investment Strategies: Formulate and execute investment strategies that account for cash and liquidity risks, balancing risk, liquidity, and long-term organizational growth to ensure optimal use of financial resources. Oversee financial planning for capital projects, including utilities, infrastructure upgrades, communications systems, and long-term site development to support sustainable expansion.

• Compliance and Governance: Ensure compliance with CRA, WorkSafeBC, and all provincial regulations relevant to large-scale festival operations. Maintain strong governance frameworks across all corporations and ensure adherence to applicable laws and internal policies to safeguard the company’s ethical and legal standing.

• Continuous Improvement: Scrutinize financial systems to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities, driving continuous optimization. Strengthen financial processes by prioritizing automation, accuracy, and operational efficiency.

• Perform additional duties as required to support the company’s overall success and growth.

Qualifications:

• Must have a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. Candidates without CPA will not be considered.

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field; MBA preferred.

• Extensive experience in senior financial leadership roles (Controller, Director of Finance, VP Finance, CFO).

• Proven experience in live events, entertainment, hospitality, or similarly complex, high-volume operational environments.

• Demonstrated track record of managing large budgets, multi-entity financial operations, and strategic financial planning.

• Strong financial and strategic acumen with the ability to guide executive decision-making.

• Exceptional analysis, forecasting, and financial reporting skills.

• Expertise in multi-entity governance, consolidation, and compliance.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with diverse stakeholders.

• Ability to make informed, rapid decisions during high-pressure festival operations.

• Leadership and team management capabilities.

• Strong problem-solving skills and data-driven decision-making.

• Ability to work effectively in dynamic, high-intensity environments.

• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

• Ability to work in a culturally diverse workspace without bias or judgment.

• Commitment to reflecting the Shambhala spirit through kindness, inclusivity, and a welcoming approach.

The Perks:

At Shambhala, we're not just about the music; we're about creating an incredible experience for our team too. Here's what you can look forward to when you join us in a permanent position:

• Team Yoga Classes: Dive into wellness with complimentary yoga sessions for our HQ team in the off-season. Let's embark on a journey together toward enhanced well-being and mindfulness! ????️♀️

• The "20cm Rule": If Whitewater gets at least 20cm of snow overnight, Shambhala HQ staff have the option to take the morning off to enjoy the powder before heading to work. ????

• Savoy Hotel Discounts & Bloom Nightclub Shows: Enjoy exclusive discounts on stays at The Savoy Hotel for you and your loved ones! Plus, as part of the Shambhala HQ team, you can attend selected shows at Bloom Nightclub free of charge. ????️.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Coverage includes but is not limited to medical, dental, vision, and mental health support.

• Competitive Salary: We offer a competitive salary that aligns with industry standards.

• Training and Development: Looking to learn something new? We support your growth by offering compensation for qualifying training programs.

• Casual Dress Code: Embrace your individuality with our flexible dress policy.

• Unique and Exciting Work: Joining Shambhala HQ isn't just a job—it's a unique experience! Shambhala HQ staff get an insider's look at the festival, from planning to execution. Dive into the magic of Shambhala firsthand!

Ready to join the team? Submit your resume and cover letter below.

Salary Range:

$120,000 - $150,000 per year

Shambhala Music Festival is committed to employment equity. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, Black people, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities and/or people with intersectional identities.

Please watch the video below for an inside look at the culture you’ll be joining at Shambhala Music Festival! ????