Biotechnology – VP Finance & Administration/CFO – Ontario

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About the Company

Our client is a Canadian biotechnology company contributing to innovations in agriculture. Currently, they are undertaking the commercial marketing of a non-food oilseed that can be produced under a sustainable production scheme and supports the biofuels industry. They are working with partners to achieve a billion gallon feedstock scale and security for the aviation renewable fuels industry.

Scope of Position

The VP Finance & Administration/CFO will report to the CEO, and thereby will have significant input to the direction and operations of the Company and its ultimate financial success. The CFO will be the key architect, driver and implementer of the Company’s financial strategy with direct responsibility to ensure the Company has sufficient capital to execute its business plan and ultimately to assist the CEO in engineering liquidity and attractive returns for shareholders.

The CFO will be a key member of the senior management team with contribution expected to most strategic and major operational decisions, including the creation and execution of the business plan and implementation of the necessary internal systems and processes. S/he will be responsible for working with all members of the senior management team to help ensure the Company has fiscal discipline and meets all financial and fiscal objectives.

The CFO has direct responsibility for directing the company’s finance, accounting, tax, information systems, risk management, human resources, facilities management, investor relations, reporting and administrative functions for the company. A priority is ensuring that the company has business processes, systems and controls in place and functioning to ensure efficient and effective business operations and to prudently manage cash.

Functional Tasks

• Serve as a member of executive leadership team
• Work closely with the CEO to implement financing strategies including IPO, RTO, private (i.e. venture capital) or debt (including venture debt).
• Participate as a key member of the leadership team responsible for determining the strategic direction and management of the Company.
• Articulate the Company’s value proposition to key stakeholders.
• Assist the CEO in developing the Company’s business plan and provide financial strategy and guidance.
• Work with the senior management team to develop the Company’s annual and long-term budget.
• Prepare and maintain regular financial planning reports including monthly or quarterly financial statements and cash flow forecasts.
• Develop and utilize predictive models and activity-based financial analyses.
• Assess organizational performance against both the annual budget and company’s long-term strategy.
• Engage the Board of Directors finance and audit committee around issues, trends, and operational delivery.
• Oversee cash flow planning and ensure availability of funds as needed.
• Identify and analyze proposed transactions to advance the Company’s goals and strategies.
• Ensure all necessary policies, procedures, systems, controls and administrative resources are effective.
• Coordinate the development and monitoring of budgets and participate in corporate policy development.
• Engage the finance committee of the board of directors to develop financial plans and projections.
• Represent the company to financial partners, including financial institutions and investors.
• Manage day-to-day financial and administrative operations.

Key Performance Deliverables

Specific deliverables that the position is designed to achieve will be agreed upon with the successful candidate.

Competency Profile

The following competencies define the role of VP Finance & Administration/CFO at our client :

• Role Expertise: Demonstrates critical technical or professional knowledge/skills related to the role.
• Industry & Market Awareness: Anticipates and responds to industry and market changes.
• Commercial Acumen: Applies appropriate commercial and financial principles.
• Strategic Approach: Develops a strategic plan to realize the vision.
• Planning & Objective Setting: Systematic in approach to work.
• Information Seeking: Consults widely for business or technical advice.
• Results Orientation: Focuses strongly on achieving agreed upon outcomes.
• Influence: Articulates the key points of an argument persuasively.

Preferred Experience / Education

• Require a CA or CGA designation
• Previous experience in the agricultural or energy sectors
• At least five years experience as CFO or equivalent
• Experience working with information technology staff to manage finance and accounting software packages.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership ability and team management skills.
• Excellent analytical and organization skills.
• Experience in a senior financial-management role.