Gowling WLG Looking for Director of Finance – Planning & Analysis at Toronto, ON Full Time

ABOUT GOWLING WLG

At Gowling WLG, our dedication to excellence and quality service begins with our people. As a global law firm with offices across Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we pride ourselves on sourcing and retaining top talent who bring energy, passion and commitment to the delivery of outstanding client service.

Employee satisfaction is important to us. We work hard to ensure that our people are motivated, engaged and empowered. We are guided by our firm’s Core Values – The Power of Teamwork, Always Striving to be Better, We all Bring Something Different – in all that we do.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are an integral part of our firm’s core values. We are always striving to build a more equitable, engaging and rewarding workplace by attracting and retaining talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. Our aim is to help everyone reach their full potential and achieve their personal and professional goals.

Our diverse group of legal professionals, law students, law clerks, paralegals, legal administrative assistants and business services team members work together, and are respected and valued for their individual contributions.

PROFILE

We are currently recruiting for a Director of Finance, Planning and Analysis to join our Finance team. As a new position for Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, the Director will be responsible for defining and leading financial planning to support strategic objectives and increase profitability.

The Director will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders and ensuring the team delivers high quality and timely service to the Firm.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead creation and maintenance of detailed financial models to support short and long-term strategic planning, profitability, pricing, costing, compensation and cash flow models.
• Oversee the annual budget process with key stakeholders, as well as lead quarterly operating reviews and related re-forecasting of results.
• Conduct regular ad hoc analysis and reporting as required i.e. profitability of alternative fee arrangements, secondments, lateral hiring, office, practice, client and matter profitability.
• Support client and prospective client proposal process from a finance perspective.
• Present analyses and reports on relevant operating and financial metrics in an easy-to-understand format to management.
• Redesign financial dashboards to capture profitability metrics to enable the lawyers to run their practices more profitably.
• Lead and implement improvements in the finance planning processes, reporting and analysis.
• Other projects as required by the business.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree; professional accounting designation (CA, CMA or CGA).
• Minimum 10 years prior experience in progressively more challenging finance positions; prior experience in financial planning, analysis and leading teams.
• Excellent financial modelling skills and extensive experience conducting quantitative and qualitative financial analysis.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with previous experience presenting complex financial analyses clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrates a solutions-oriented approach, challenges status quo, and strives to improve processes.
• Strong interpersonal and people management skills with a collaborative and inclusive management style.
• Ability to communicate effectively with other Firm members and provide outstanding, results-focused client service.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills to meet multiple deadlines and tasks in a fast paced environment.

Gowling WLG employees benefit from a hybrid work environment. As a member of our national team, this position can be based in any of the following offices: Calgary, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Waterloo, or Vancouver.

Not sure if you meet all the requirements? If you are excited about this opportunity but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Gowling WLG is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation at any time during the recruitment process, please let us know.

While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.