Director of Financial Stewardship & Generational Growth

Summary

The Director of Financial Stewardship & Generational Growth is a forward-thinking leader, strategic guide, and relational steward of First Light’s financial landscape. This role holds both the day-to-day clarity and the long-term vision required to help First Light thrive – not just fiscally, but in a way that is aligned with our values, grounded in community, and built to last for seven generations.

Working closely with the President & CEO and senior leadership, the Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial stewardship, strategic forecasting, investment growth, budgeting, development of financial policies, and risk mitigation. This includes leveraging our upgraded systems – Sage Intacct, Salesforce, Visa Clarity, and others – to guide First Light through a new era of financial maturity, organizational growth, and innovation.

The Director supports transparent, relationally accountable financial reporting to community, funders, and Indigenous partners, and helps embed financial stewardship into all aspects of First Light’s collective work. This includes guiding ethical investment strategies that align with Indigenous economic sovereignty and community priorities, and building financial resilience in the face of shifting funding landscapes.

This role also helps build internal capacity through staff mentorship, financial literacy training, and collaborative planning processes that strengthen both day-to-day operations and long-term sustainability. Over time, the Director will support succession planning and intergenerational knowledge transfer to ensure financial stewardship remains strong, relational, and grounded in community.

The Director will lead with integrity, care, and a deep respect for Indigenous ways of knowing. This role is foundational to financial excellence, long-term resilience, and culturally accountable stewardship across all areas of the organization.This role holds a responsibility for ensuring financial practices are carried out with care, accountability, and cultural humility, strengthening the organization’s long-term resilience and supporting the wellbeing of our community for generations to come

Who You Are

You are a financial visionary and a relational steward. You understand that numbers tell stories – stories of values, priorities, and possibility. Financial systems, to you, are living structures shaped by who we are and what we care about. Cash Flow is not just about balance sheets; it is a way of honouring our responsibilities to future generations. You bring clarity to complexity and care to every decision, listening closely to the pulse of the organization through insight, accountability, and trust.

You bring:

• Deep experience in finance, forecasting, budgeting, and investments with a lens for sustainable, ethical, and growth-oriented practices.
• A strategic mind that connects financial data to mission, culture, and long-term transformation.
• Familiarity with advanced financial tools such as Sage Intacct, Salesforce, and Visa Clarity.
• Experience designing and implementing financial policies and controls that support transparency, clarity, and trust.
• A relational and humble leadership style grounded in emotional intelligence, accountability, and cultural humility.
• A commitment to Indigenous values of reciprocity, intergenerational responsibility, and collective thriving.
• The ability to see what we don’t yet see—and help us prepare for it.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Stewardship

• Serve as a financial strategist to the CEO and leadership team, offering guidance on financial growth, sustainability, and risk.
• Participate in strategic planning and organizational development initiatives as a core member of senior leadership.
• Develop long-term financial strategies—grounded by First Light’s Strategic Wheel—that include reserves planning, forecasting models, and infrastructure expansion to promote resilience and possibility.
• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to fund development efforts, ensuring alignment with financial goals and funding priorities, while supporting the Fund Development Specialist in grant strategy and funder relations.

Budgeting & Planning

• Lead all budgeting processes in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, ensuring they are participatory, accessible, and aligned with values and goals.
• Oversee investment planning, identifying opportunities for ethical growth and the sustainable growth of First Light’s social enterprises expansion

Financial Operations

• Ensure timely, accurate financial reporting and expense analysis using Sage Intacct, Visa Clarity, Salesforce, and other integrated tools.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks and implement internal controls that reflect both fiscal responsibility and community accountability.
• Develop and maintain financial policies that uphold integrity, clarity, and alignment with Indigenous governance principles.

Capacity Building

• Provide guidance, mentorship, and vision to finance and operations staff, fostering a strong culture of trust, transparency, and shared accountability.
• Cultivate relationships across teams to ensure financial literacy and collaborative planning are embedded across the organization.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, or business strategy
• Strong experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and investment oversight
• Familiarity with tools such as Sage Intacct, Salesforce, and Visa Clarity (or similar systems)
• Proven ability to design and implement financial policies, controls, and reporting systems
• Demonstrated leadership experience, with the ability to mentor and guide cross-functional teams
• Strong strategic thinking skills and the ability to connect financial systems to long-term organizational goals
• High emotional intelligence and a relational leadership style grounded in respect and accountability
• Understanding of Indigenous values, community-based governance, and long-term sustainability planning
• CPA designation or relevant post-secondary education in finance, accounting, or business 
• Experience in Indigenous-led organizations or working with Indigenous communities is a strong asset

Other Information

At First Light, we are looking for a leader who lives our values, not just someone who understands numbers, but someone who understands that financial systems shape the lives, futures, and opportunities of the communities we serve. You must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment where change is constant and agility is essential. You’re someone who thrives under pressure, embraces complexity, and meets challenges with creativity and calm. You bring not only financial expertise, but a clear vision for sustainable growth and future development—rooted in accountability, equity, and a deep commitment to the evolving needs of urban Indigenous communities, now and for generations to come.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected] by August 20, 2025.

Preference will be given to qualified Indigenous residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.