The Organization
At Edmonton Public Library (EPL), our mission is simple: we share! We share expertise, information, technology, and space with Edmontonians for learning, connecting, creating, discovering, enjoying, and enriching communities. Our vision is to be the gathering place for people and ideas, enabling a lifetime of learning, engagement, and possibility for every Edmontonian. This is brought to life through our 2027-2030 strategic goals, which position EPL as the best place to read, the best place to experience, and the best place to learn. We champion reading and intellectual freedom, create welcoming and meaningful experiences, and help Edmontonians build the literacies, critical thinking skills, and AI competencies needed to navigate an increasingly complex world.
For more information about the Edmonton Public Library, please visit their website.
Mandate
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the executive team and a trusted strategic partner in shaping EPL’s future. The CFO provides strategic and operational leadership across finance, facilities, and supply chain, ensuring EPL has the resources, systems, and infrastructure required to deliver exceptional library service across Edmonton.
The CFO coaches and inspires a team of committed professionals. Balancing strategic perspective with practical execution, the CFO strengthens financial stewardship, supports sound decisions, and ensures these essential shared services work together to advance EPL's strategic plan.
Key portfolio responsibilities include oversight of:
- Facilities services, including physical security of facilities and custodial, along with capital projects;
- Financial services, including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, financial risk management and controls; and
- Supply chain management, which includes leases, contracts, and insurance.
The CFO is an integral member of the Executive Leadership Team and joins the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, Customer Experience; Executive Director, Collections and Technology; Director, Marketing, Communications and Fund Development, and Executive Director, Employee Experience in leading system-wide strategies and initiatives. Edmonton Public Library employees support and work within the policies and framework of the Library corporate culture as embodied in the Purpose, Mandate and Mission statements, Values, Community-Led Service Philosophy and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations position statements on Intellectual Freedom and Diversity and Inclusion, with particular emphasis on providing excellent customer service.
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Leadership
- Build strong relationships with the Executive Leadership Team, EPL Board of Trustees, and the City of Edmonton to advance library building projects and strategic priorities.
- As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, contribute to strategic plan development and lead major system-wide business plan initiatives, ensuring effective change leadership and staff engagement.
- Serve as a strategic and technical resource to the CEO, Board of Trustees, and Board Committees on financial services, supply chain, facilities, and capital/operating budgeting matters.
- Provide leadership across financial services and supply chain management, including leases, contracts, and insurance.
Financial Leadership
- Provide financial leadership and stewardship across EPL's planning, budgeting, and asset management processes, ensuring sustainable service delivery.
- Lead development of annual operating and capital budgets and EPL's longer-term financial plans and funding strategies.
- Monitor financial performance against the budget, ensuring EPL operates within approved limits, and communicate planning/budgeting information to Managers, the Board, and City Council.
- Lead development of financial policies, frameworks, and controls, including business case and delegation of authority processes.
- Provide financial expertise on capital building projects, particularly funding and budgeting.
Capital Projects, Facilities, and Physical Security
- Provide oversight of a multi-million-dollar, multi-year capital building program and the maintenance and improvement of 21 branch locations.
- In collaboration with the CEO, identify capital priorities and represent EPL on Design and Planning teams for new construction and renovation projects.
- Oversee facility security systems (CCTV, access control, alarms, emergency communications) and custodial services across all service points.
People Leadership
- Lead a team of 3 direct and 15 indirect reports across Facilities, Financial Services, and Supply Chain Management.
- Foster a collaborative, learning-oriented culture; coach, mentor, and develop leaders and staff for performance, retention, and engagement.
- Guide staffing decisions to ensure the right people and competencies are in place to meet EPL's goals.
Financial Reporting and Accounting
- Manage and report on EPL's $65M operating budget and capital budgets, including $8M annual IT renewal, $7M collections, and $5M furniture/equipment.
- Ensure sound financial controls, statutory compliance (PSAS), and approval of financial statements and reports.
- Oversee treasury activities including banking, investments, and point-of-sale/credit services.
- Provide financial analysis and risk assessment on new services, contracts, and leases.
Risk Management and Control
- Develop and maintain EPL's Corporate Risk Registry in collaboration with the Executive Leadership Team, other Senior Leadership and the Board of Trustees.
- Establish policies and controls to identify, evaluate, and mitigate enterprise, operational, and financial risk, including fraud prevention.
- Ensure controls are embedded in EPL's corporate governance framework and policies.
- Keep abreast of issues within and outside EPL to effectively identify risks and potential strategies to mitigate these risks.
Supply Chain Management
- Provide leadership on supply chain strategy, ensuring cost-effective, compliant purchasing practices aligned with trade agreements.
- Review high-value tenders, RFPs, contracts, and leases to mitigate risk and ensure policy/legal compliance.
- Lead negotiation and management of EPL leases and joint-use agreements, liaising with legal counsel as needed.
Community and Interest Holder Relations
- Represent EPL with the City of Edmonton, elected officials, law enforcement, and community partners.
- Maintain strong relationships with the Board, external auditors, and other interest holders through clear, timely communication.
- Promote financial literacy across EPL through staff training and Trustee orientation.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will have the following:
Education and Training:
- Bachelor’s Degree with accounting specialization (i.e. Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting Major or related discipline) and a professional accounting designation.
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of accepted Canadian public sector accounting principles, policies and procedures.
Experience:
- Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible financial management, reporting, and auditing experience in an institutional, commercial, or large public sector organization, including leading multidisciplinary teams spanning finance/accounting and supply chain.
- Large reporting and auditing experience of a progressively responsible supervisory nature in an institutional, commercial or large public sector organization.
- Strong financial acumen: accounting reports, budgeting, auditing, financial/statistical analysis, benchmarking, and performance measurement.
- Experience in a library environment and/or municipal government preferred.
- Proven project management leadership on large-scale initiatives (PMP an asset), including complex operating and capital budgets and capital projects (planning, building, improvements).
- Experience in facilities management (including physical security) and knowledge of supply chain policies, trade agreements, and capital investment tools (e.g., life cycle costing.
What do you need to bring to this position:
- A commitment to upholding the Canadian Federation of Library Associations position statements on Intellectual Freedom and Diversity and Inclusion.
- Demonstrated leadership courage, including the willingness to have difficult conversations, make tough decisions, and hold self and others accountable to expectations.
- Strong ability to strategically exercise sound business judgment, discretion, and a high degree of confidentiality.
- Proven ability in providing sound financial expertise and advice, strategic direction, and guidance in financial matters to senior executives.
- Ability to clearly articulate, advocate, and inspire support for the organization's mission, mandate and strategic priorities throughout the community and the organization.
- Empowerment and collaboration operating style and a problem-solving approach.
- Ability to foster an organizational culture of engagement, accountability, positive achievements and continuous learning and development.
Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging
The Edmonton Public Library is committed to working with staff and communities in a manner that prioritizes dignity, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. The Edmonton Public Library welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.
Edmonton Public Library is located on Treaty 6 Territory and acknowledges the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries. We honour and celebrate the diverse Indigenous Peoples whose histories, languages, cultures, and ongoing contributions continue to shape and strengthen our community.
Application Instructions
If this opportunity excites you, please send an application package, including your resume and cover letter, to connect@mullenleadership.com. In the subject line of your email, please include the organization’s name and the position title.
