Director of Finance

Director of Finance

Reporting to the Executive Director/CEO and supporting the Artistic Director/Co-CEO, The Director of Finance is responsible for organizing, overseeing, evaluating, and implementing all aspects of the financial management of the three corporations that fund or operate the Shaw Festival (i.e.: Shaw Festival Theatre, Shaw Festival Endowment Foundation, Shaw Festival (USA) Foundation).

The Director is a member of the senior management team, a collaborator with all departments, and a resource to the various boards and their committees.
The Finance department is a key service unit to all other departments of the Festival, supporting and coaching as needed, and leading conversations that improve the quality and delivery of the charitable programs, while maintaining the highest level of scrutiny to ensure optimal financial performance.

Financial Management
• Primary responsibility for the preparation of the internal monthly reporting to management, board committees and the Board of Directors for the theatre and also for the endowment foundation and assisting in the preparation of the annual audited financial statements of the Shaw Festival (USA) Foundation which receives contributions for both the theatre and the endowment foundation.
• Provide oversight to the Associate Director of Finance/Controller on financial reporting for the Shaw Festival.
• Under the direction of the ED/CEO, and in collaboration with all department heads, responsibility to create and monitor the annual operating and capital budgets for the theatre.
• Management of compliance reporting to the Canada Revenue Agencies Charities Division.
• Financial compliance reporting for government and private grants.
• Ensure compliance with HST reporting and procedures.
• Annual review and binding of insurance coverage.
• Compliance with all required treasury functions including reporting.
• In concert with the ED/CEO, manage the relationships with The Shaw’s lenders
• To continuously seek to implement best practices in financial reporting and uphold the CPA code of conduct.
• Collaborate with and assist senior management and their departments on major initiatives and operational issues.

Key Attributes for Candidates

Candidates will have:
• An in-depth understanding of the accounting standards for Part III of Canadian GAAP and Part II as it applies to items not covered in Part III [ticket & retail revenues, etc.]
• An in-depth understanding of charity law and accounting in Canada as it pertains to the financial reporting, governance and planning. US GAAP and NFP understanding also and asset.
• An in-depth understanding of Net of Tax HST rules and regulations
• An excellent understanding of financial accounting software and implementation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting complex financials at board meetings and to donor related groups.
• High level proficiency in EXCEL financial modelling
• Inspirational and compassionate management of direct reports and collaborative, team-based approach to working with all colleagues.
• Financial experience in a theatre or live arts organization
• Belief in the power of art to change lives for the better

Qualifications
Candidates need to be members of the Chartered Professional Accountants in good standing.
• Professional Accounting Designation of CA/CPA with not-for-profit/charitable experience
• University Degree in Finance, Business Administration or other similar field of study
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in progressively responsible roles with at least 5 years in a finance director (or similar senior finance) role, preferably with experience in other high profile, artistically focussed charities or non profits.
• Financial experience in a theatre, performance or other arts based organization, including interaction with Endowment boards.

Salary Range: $150K-$175K per annum, plus a competitive Health & Benefit package, a matching Group RRSP plan, as well as support for professional development to maintain professional designation are available to the successful candidate.

This position requires working on-site full time in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario in order to best interact with all the departments here. As a live arts organization, live relationship is key to our work. Some allowance for occasional offsite work can be arranged.

Please submit your cover letter and resume prior to 5pm, Friday, September 18, 2026 to:

Shaw Festival Theatre
Attention: Director Human Resources
Email: dlg@shawfest.com

We thank all applicants in advance for their application, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in the Shaw Festival

Discover more about working at the Shaw Festival by visiting our Welcome Website at welcome.shawfest.com

As one of the world’s leading theatre companies and Niagara’s 20 largest employers, The Shaw is dedicated to an ongoing process of increasing diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs, and in all of our hiring for staff, artists, and in the recruiting of board members.

The Shaw is committed to a future when our theatres joyously draw on and include all peoples, fully reflective of the world around us. As such, the Shaw Festival is an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We encourage and invite applications from applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black or as persons of colour (IBPOC), the LGBTQ2+ communities and those identifying as gender fluid.

In accordance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and in keeping with our wish to ensure a fully inclusive environment, please advise Human Resources if you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process. We will be happy to assist.

We acknowledge and honour the land upon which we gather as the historic and traditional territory of First Nations peoples. In particular we recognize and thank the Neutral Nation, the Mississauga and the Haudenosaunee for their stewardship of these lands over millennia.