Chief Financial Officer at Hillel Ontario

Chief Financial Officer

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Start Date: May 1, 2026

About Hillel Ontario

Hillel Ontario serves 14,000 Jewish students across nine universities—the largest regional Hillel in the world. In a time of rising antisemitism and increased need for connection, Hillel has become a hub for safety, community, and Jewish pride. In 2024 alone, student engagement increased by over 40%, and we continue to grow.

The Opportunity 

Growth is exciting, but has to be managed properly, efficiently and effectively.

We’re hiring a Chief Financial Officer to help usher Hillel Ontario into its next stage of growth and to do so with confidence & professionalism, empathy and an almost universal approachability. Your job is to do everything in your power to utilize every resource available to you, to ensure that staff at all levels are fully enabled and empowered to fulfill Hillel’s mission. You’re not a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ person, you’re a “let’s see how we can make this happen” person who isn’t afraid to say no when it’s appropriate, and will go out on a limb when they can.

What You’ll Do

We are looking for a bold, creative leader to own and to operationalize Hillel Ontario’s finances. Your primary focus will be on owning the Finance function, but your portfolio will include:

Finance & Accounting

• In partnership with the organization’s Senior Leadership Team, lead efforts to craft and adapt the organization’s financial strategy.
• Provide insights on operations through analysis of financial and operational data, uncovering opportunities and issues through analysis.
• Be the expert when it comes to proper accounting processes and procedures; ensuring that revenues are recognized properly, expenses are incurred efficiently and budgets are adhered to thoughtfully.
• Be the gold standard: Deliver clear, accurate, and timely financial reporting to a range of stakeholders from senior management, the Board, and community.
• Be insightful by preparing and owning the annual budget, by reporting on variances, by projecting cash flows and by forecasting three years ahead. It’s exceptionally important to provide the Senior Team and the Board with actionable forecasts and insightful scenarios; to identify red flags well in advance of any potential threats or risks to the organization.
• Be vigilant by reviewing and classifying invoices and expense reports for accuracy.
• Be methodical by ensuring the timely closing of books and reconciliation of accounts on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis in alignment with internal financial reporting processes.
• Be meticulous by ensuring the monitoring and accuracy of account transfers, wire payments, credit card transactions, and receipts, maintaining close oversight of funds entering and leaving the organization and identifying discrepancies when they arise.
• Be prompt and helpful by partnering with the development team; work with the Chief Advancement Officer to build and manage the fundraising forecast, to align our revenue sources with budgeted expenses and to track and manage donor receipts, campaign goals and quarterly reporting.
• Be a great partner to Campus & department budget holders; work with them to create budgets, identify opportunities and to manage their program spend effectively.
• Be an auditor so our actual auditor doesn’t have to be. This means ensuring that financial records and documentation are maintained in an organized, audit-ready manner throughout the year. You’ll partner closely with the Senior Manager of Finance & Operations, who manages day-to-day bookkeeping, to stay aligned on financial processes and accounting systems.

Operations

• With support from other members of senior leadership and legal counsel, oversee lease negotiations and/or annual contract renewals.

Human Resources:

• Payroll Administration 
• Benefits Renewals
• Employee Terminations

Management & Oversight:

• Oversee an incredibly talented and passionate team of 3: Sr. Manager of Finance & Operations, Director of Talent & Culture and Special Projects Coordinator. This portfolio includes, but is not limited to:

Human Resources:

• Identify and help address HR situations/grievances/opportunities as they arise
• Review every offer of employment/termination for accuracy and adherence to budget, ESA and common law standards
• Recruiting & onboarding
• Terminating & offboarding
• Goal setting & mid-year and final reviews
• Culture building initiatives

Real Estate

• Working with Property Managers and Landlords of facilities in Kingston, London, Guelph, Waterloo, TMU, York & U of T
• Property maintenance, upgrades, safety and security

Security

• Help guide the decision-making process as it relates to coordinating extra security presence for the head office, for campuses and for events on an as-needed basis
• Help create and enforce physical and cyber-security protocols in the digital workplace,  the Wolfond and across each campus

IT

• Coordinating with Directors and stakeholders to continuously improve Hillel’s IT infrastructure
• Help staff troubleshoot challenges with their software as they arise

Ad-Hoc

• Event coordination and management, including travel

Who You Are

• A strategic doer that is excited to roll up their sleeves and is willing to ask questions
• A hungry, intelligent and capable manager that wants to do more and has the gumption to make things happen; to make a difference
• A professional that is approachable and patient, that is flexible whenever possible, and is stubborn whenever necessary
• A person that is passionate about Jewish identity, celebration, and community.
• A collaborative leader who can think big, move fast, and inspire others to do the same.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in escalating finance & accounting roles with a mastery level of expertise in Quickbooks Online and its functionality
• Holds a relevant designation (CPA, CFA, Masters, etc) or equivalent relevant experience
• Treasury experience managing cash flows and investments
• Mastery of Quickbooks Online
• 2-5 years of experience in a non-profit setting is preferred
• Has management experience with small teams
• Very comfortable with data analysis and digital tools and implementing new technologies
• Strong ability to prepare and present reports
• Familiarity with Toronto’s Jewish landscape, including key organizations and individuals
• Background or interest in working with students and/or young professionals is a major asset.