Manager, Budget Services

Position Details

• Service Area: Office of the CAO
• Department: Finance
• Work Location: City Hall, 1 Carden Street
• Work Mode: Hybrid
• Job Type and Duration: Permanent, Full Time Vacancy
• Position Availability: 1 existing vacant position
• Posting Period: October 2, 2026 to October 16, 2026 11:59 p.m.
• Affiliation: Non-Union

When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities within our organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.

What We Offer

We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:

• Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
• Paid personal days;
• Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching;
• Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account;
• Employee and Family Assistance Program;
• Parental leave top up program;
• Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
• Employee recognition programs.

Position Overview

Resumes are being accepted for the position of Manager, Budget Services within the Finance Department. The Manager, Budget Services provides leadership for the City’s operating and capital budget development processes, budget monitoring and variance reporting functions, and financial planning support to City departments and local boards as applicable. Reporting to the General Manager, Finance – City Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, the position leads a team of financial professionals and serves as a trusted advisor to departmental leadership teams.

Working collaboratively with colleagues responsible for capital financing strategies, strategic planning, employee compensation, and asset management planning, the Manager helps ensure corporate decision-making is supported by accurate, timely and integrated financial information. The role promotes financial stewardship, accountability, continuous improvement and service excellence across the organization.

Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness, and learning, the candidate will support the achievement of the Community Vision – to be an inclusive, connected, prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and guidance to Budget Services team, including training, developing, coaching, and setting annual goals and objectives in alignment with Finance departmental objectives and monitoring results.
• Develop and nurture a work environment that is inclusive, respectful and motivating for staff.
• Provide clear, proactive, and timely communication on budget matters, financial risks, assumptions, and recommendations to senior leadership, Council, departmental staff, and other stakeholders, fostering transparency and informed decision-making.
• Lead the corporate operating and capital budget development and variance reporting processes, ensuring alignment with Council priorities, corporate objectives and approved financial policies.
• Establish and maintain strong collaborative relationships to support integrated financial planning and reporting, including close coordination with staff responsible for:
  • Strategic planning
  • Capital financing strategies (reserves, debt, grants, growth revenues)
  • Investment management
  • Asset management planning
  • Employee compensation (collective bargaining, statutory and non-statutory benefits)
• Ensure budget recommendations, forecasts, variance reporting and projections are aligned with corporate financial strategies and long-term fiscal plans developed by Finance partners.
• Champion a consultative finance business-partner approach that supports financial literacy, accountability and informed decision-making across departments.
• Identify emerging budget pressures, financial risks and opportunities and provide analysis and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Provide expert financial advice, briefings and recommendations to the City Treasurer, Leadership Team, Executive Team, Committee of the Whole and Council regarding budget matters and financial implications.
• Develop standard work (procedures, guidelines, templates, etc.) aligned with approved policy to ensure a consistent and accurate approach and ensure quality control over the team’s work.
• Lead the continuous improvement of budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting processes, systems and tools, leveraging automation and technology to improve efficiency and decision support.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Significant experience related to the duties listed above, normally acquired through several years of progressively responsible experience, preferably in a municipal environment plus the completion of a University Degree in Business, Commerce, Accounting or Finance and a Professional Accounting Designation.
• Demonstrated leadership skills acquired through considerable experience supervising, leading and motivating staff
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Proven exceptional communication skills including the ability to communicate complex financial concepts to various audiences clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Experience presenting complex financial information to senior leadership, boards, committees or Council.
• Strong financial analysis, forecasting and risk assessment skills