About the Port

Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is the second largest port in Canada and a diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods: containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk, and dry bulk.

The only container port in Quebec, it is a destination port served by the largest shipping lines in the world. It is also an intermodal hub with a service offering that is unique in North America, featuring its rail network directly dockside connected to Canada’s two national rail networks. The MPA also operates a Cruise Terminal and a Port Centre.

The MPA factors economic, social, and environmental components into its corporate initiatives. This commitment is governed by a sustainable development policy whose guiding principles focus on involvement, cooperation, and accountability. Port activity supports 19,000 jobs and generates $2.6 billion in economic benefits annually.

Anchored in the Future

The year 2022 got underway with strategic planning and collaborative efforts across the board with all stakeholders, citizens, partners, and players in international shipping. A major participatory process was initiated to contribute to the strategic reflection underway on the themes of the environment, society, the economy, and innovation.

The MPA’s commitment to decarbonizing its activities by 2050 and its recent membership in the United Nations Global Compact are part of an ambitious vision of the future that puts energy transition at the core of its priorities. Furthermore, the recent partnership with CN to develop the rail network in Contrecoeur meets the stated objective of designing and building a new terminal with optimal operational performance.

Challenges and opportunities to meet your expectations

• You will actively participate in organizational transformation and process improvement in an environment that encourages innovation and idea sharing
• You will have a significant positive impact on the resources under your responsibility by coaching them in their professional development and by mobilizing them
• You will act as the right hand of the Vice President of Finance and have broad exposure to the organization’s stakeholders
• You will occupy both a strategic and tactical role that will allow you to leverage your skills and abilities
• You will be involved in a major system change and implementation project to support the company’s digital transformation

Brief Description

Under the supervision of the Vice President of Finance, the Director of Finance and Controller ensures the implementation of a global, strategic, innovative, and motivating vision. He or she plans, coordinates, directs, and controls the activities of his or her department effectively and in close collaboration with the Director of Analysis, Planning, and Treasurer.

The incumbent demonstrates strong leadership to lead the employees under his or her responsibility to achieve the financial and strategic objectives of the organization. He or she has an excellent knowledge of accounting issues and excellent communication and influencing skills to foster and maintain internal and external relationships. He or she has a good tolerance for stress and can manage priorities well.

The Director of Finance and Controller will play a key role within the Montreal Port Authority (“MPA”), notably by :

• Hiring, training, developing and mobilizing a team of qualified accounting and finance managers and professionals of + or – 20 employees
• Leading the accounting and finance functions strategically
• Supporting the VP of Finance and the Executive Committee as a consultant for strategic decisions with financial impacts
• Collaborating closely with the IT department to achieve a digital transformation of the department
• Developing accounting policies, procedures, and internal control rules
• Recommending improvements to ensure the integrity of the company’s financial information
• Overseeing the relationship with the independent auditors
• Suggesting improvements on an ongoing basis

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Attracts, motivates, develops, and retains talent required to achieve goals and provide leadership to his/her team:
  • Plans, prioritizes and coordinates activities based on established goals
  • Ensures the rigour and efficiency of the team’s work
  • Monitors and follows up on these activities according to the approved budget
  • Involves employees as partners in the achievement of objectives
  • Contributes to maintaining a positive work climate
  • Ensures the health, safety, and well-being of the employees on the team
  • Prioritizes and evaluates individual and team performance

• Coordinates the preparation of financial documents such as requests for authorization to be presented to the Board of Directors and its committees
• Provides advice and support to other NPA managers and the Executive Committee so that they can make informed decisions and support them in the financial management of their activities to increase the quality and profitability of these activities
• Develops and implements the best financial and budgetary processes within the PMA and ensures constant monitoring and updating of financial systems, policies, and processes
• Oversees the preparation and monitoring of budgets
• Proposes policies and procedures to establish appropriate financial and management controls to protect assets, maximize their performance and ensure the optimal and efficient use of resources
• Implements and monitors the accounting and internal control system processes related to the authorization, tracking, and accounting of fixed assets
• Ensures that the accounting and internal control systems are capable of producing financial statements and other management reports under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and APM policies, that the information produced is of high quality, relevant, and useful for decision-making, and that it is reliable and timely

Required Qualifications

Training

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance
• Possess a recognized accounting designation (CPA)

Professional Experience

• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience, ten of which must have been in a finance or accounting department, including payroll
• Significant experience in major capital projects
• Experience in process optimization and implementation of accounting systems
• Management experience in a public sector company and a unionized environment (an asset)

Competencies

• Knowledge of IFRS standards
• Knowledge of generally accepted computer tools, including SAP and the Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English.

Specific Skills

• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills
• Ability to bring people to the fore and foster talent development

Why join the Montreal Port Authority

• Excellent employment conditions
• A warm and caring work atmosphere
• A dynamic work environment that encourages internal progression and leads to the development of its resources
• Looking to the future, senior management is implementing an innovative strategic plan in line with the organization’s desire to modernize and pursue its commitment to reducing GHGs and applying ESGs
• Health & Wellness: organized physical activities, participation in various sporting events, availability of bicycles, etc.
• Work-family balance charter
• Organization of various events during the year such as the port visit, Christmas party, etc.
• And much more!

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Only the people selected for an interview will be contacted. We support the principle of employment equity.

TALINKO is a recruitment firm of middle and senior executives also offering support in the recruitment of members of the board of directors or advisory committee. We operate in different business sectors.

Please note that the masculine is used to lighten the text, without prejudice against the feminine form.