Director, Accounting Operations

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

* The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

City: Ottawa 

Organizational Unit: Finance and Procurement Services 

Classification: MGT-1 

Tenure: Continuing 

Language Requirements: Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC 

Work arrangements: 

• Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the NRC work location identified.
  At the NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2025 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

The role

Working with clients and partners, the Finance and Procurement Services Branch plays a foundational role in supporting NRC’s research excellence. We’re a team of more than 180 employees, working across three directorates located across the country, each contributing to the financial and procurement backbone that keeps NRC’s scientific and innovation work moving forward.

Our vision is to be trusted, forward-thinking partners delivering innovative financial and procurement solutions that enable NRC’s research excellence. And our mission is to deliver partner-centered financial and procurement services that ensure compliance, efficiency, and operational success — all through our people, our expertise, and our commitment to continuous improvement.

We are seeking a Director, Accounting Operations to provide strategic leadership and oversight of financial management, accounting, and comptrollership functions within a complex federal environment. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of financial policies, legislation, and internal control requirements. This role requires a leader who can guide the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of financial policies, processes, and systems while ensuring alignment with government-wide priorities, emerging trends, and organizational objectives.

The Director leads the planning and delivery of client-focused financial services, manages human and financial resources, and supports sound decision-making through the analysis of complex, multi-dimensional information. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and build consensus across stakeholders during periods of change. This position also calls for a forward-thinking leader who can develop and execute strategic approaches, foster innovation in financial operations, and ensure the organization remains responsive, compliant, and effective in a dynamic business and technology environment.

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with specialization in accounting, finance, business administration or commerce and possesses a professional accounting designation (i.e., CPA-CA, CPA-CMA or CPA-CGA).

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Recent and significant experience in financial management and accounting in the federal government.
• Extensive experience in the delivery of financial services for financial and management accounting, financial policy and internal controls.
• Extensive experience in analyzing and interpreting complex financial and accounting information.
• Extensive experience in analyzing, developing and implementing business processes and procedures.
• Recent experience in providing strategic financial advice to senior management on a wide-range of subjects.
• Experience in managing human and financial resources.

Condition of employment

Secret clearance

A thorough security clearance process will be applied. 

For a Secret Clearance, verification of background information over a period of 10 years is required. Individuals must have lived in Canada for a sufficient period of time to enable the security screening process. 

Language requirements

Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC 

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of financial management, accounting and comptrollership principles and internal control requirements.
• Extensive knowledge of federal government financial policies, procedures and legislation.
• Extensive knowledge of financial management priorities and emerging trends in the federal government and their potential impact on operations and business activities.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in providing leadership for the planning and delivery of client-oriented services.
• Ability to lead people and negotiate consensus through significant organizational change while keeping both employees and partners engaged.
• Ability to develop, present and implement a strategic approach/business plan.
• Ability to manage effectively in a complex and continuously changing business and technology environment.
• Ability to analyze complex, multi-dimensional information and make timely decisions.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 

Behavioural competencies

• Inspirational Leadership (Level 2)
• Strategic Outlook and Alignment (Level 2)
• Drive for Results and Efficiency (Level 2)
• Leverage Collaborative Relationships (Level 2)
• Financial Management (Level 2)
• Client Relationship Management (Level 2)
• Industry Sector Knowledge (Level 2)
• Service Orientation (Level 2)
• People Management (Level 4)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile: Management Competencies (MG)

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $142,179 to $170,588 per annum. 

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Notes

• In 2025, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one year period.
• Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their cover letter how they meet the education and experience factors listed on the poster. Candidates must use the education/experience criteria as a header and respond to each criteria demonstrating how they meet them by providing concrete examples.  In addition, the candidate is encouraged to describe when, where and how they gained the experience. Failure to provide an appropriate cover letter will result in the rejection of your application. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (25294) to:

E-mail: NRC.NRCHiring-EmbaucheCNRC.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Telephone: 3439906649 

Closing Date: 5 May 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time

For more information on career tools and other resources, check out Career tools and resources

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careersmodule from your NRC computer.