Central 1 cooperatively empowers credit unions and other financial institutions to deliver banking choice to Canadians. Central 1 provides critical services at scale to enable a thriving credit union system. We do this by collaborating with our clients, developing strategies, products and services to support the financial well-being of their more than 5 million diverse customers in communities across Canada. For more information, visit www.central1.com. What we offer: Work-life flexibility Hybrid work environment Variable annual incentive plan Generous annual vacation allotment Top-notch flexible benefits plan including family building and gender affirmation Retirement Plan, matched contributions at 6% Access to a learning platform and educational assistance support Access to a virtual wellness platform Career development opportunities Wellness Flex Fund to support personal interest and activities Day off to volunteer in your community and other paid time off options Corporate discounts *subject to employment agreement Job Summary: The Director, Finance Operations & Workday Optimization will drive the strategy, transformation, and continuous improvement of Finance systems and operations across Central 1. This role serves as the enterprise lead for Workday and Adaptive, partnering with executives to align systems, data, and processes with business priorities. The Director will lead a high-performing team and work cross-functionally to streamline operations, enhance self-service analytics, automate workflows, and leverage emerging technologies, including AI, to deliver scalable, efficient solutions. What you'll be doing: Strategy & Transformation: Define and execute the roadmap for Workday, Adaptive, and finance systems, ensuring they support business growth and operational excellence. Lead finance transformation initiatives to simplify processes, improve efficiency, and eliminate manual work. Champion the use of AI and advanced analytics to enhance forecasting, reporting, and decision-making. Lead cross-functional projects and other strategic initiatives as needed Process Optimization & Automation: Drive automation across financial reporting, planning, allocations, and close processes to improve accuracy, speed, and scalability. Identify process inefficiencies and implement scalable solutions that enhance operational effectiveness. Accelerate month-end and year-end close timelines through process redesign and system optimization. Systems, Data & Analytics: Optimize Workday and Adaptive performance, adoption, and system capabilities. Develop self-service dashboards and analytics that empower leaders with real-time insights. Oversee system integrations and data governance to ensure accurate, reliable, and connected data across the organization. Establish enterprise data standards and reporting frameworks that support informed decision-making. Stakeholder Partnership & Delivery: Partner with Finance, HR, IT, Payroll, Revenue Operations, and other teams to align system capabilities with business needs. Lead major system implementations, upgrades, and enhancements, ensuring successful delivery and adoption. Manage strategic vendor relationships and serve as the key point of contact for critical partners. Governance & Performance: Establish and maintain strong controls, governance practices, and compliance frameworks to support audit readiness. Monitor and report on key metrics related to system performance, automation, user adoption, and operational efficiency. Drive change management activities to ensure effective adoption of new systems, processes, and technologies What you'll have: 10+ years of experience with Workday (HCM & Financials) and enterprise finance systems, including Adaptive Planning. Proven success leading large-scale finance systems implementations, upgrades, or transformation initiatives. Strong knowledge of Finance, HRIS, Payroll, Workforce Planning, and Reporting & Analytics. Solid understanding of financial close, budgeting, forecasting, and FP&A processes. Experience improving and automating business processes through technology and systems optimization. Familiarity with AI, advanced analytics, or automation tools within enterprise environments. Knowledge of data management, system integrations, dashboards, and reporting solutions. Experience managing vendors and building strong external partnerships. Proven people leadership skills, including coaching, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, navigate ambiguity, and drive results. Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders. Experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. Strong business acumen and understanding of financial and operational drivers. A proactive, accountable, and results-oriented approach with a focus on continuous improvement. Salary range: $130,000-$145,000 The salary represents the job rate determined for the successful candidate who is fully competent in the role. The actual salary will vary depending on market conditions and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. #LI-Hybrid Central 1 does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to screen, assess, or select applicants during our recruitment process. This job posting is for an existing, specific vacancy within our organization. All applications will be considered exclusively for the position described in this posting. Central 1 is an equal opportunity employer and committed to building an inclusive workforce by creating an environment where everyone feels like they belong and has the opportunity to be successful. We welcome all applicants to join our diverse workforce and we will provide an accessible candidate experience including, but not limited to accommodations to interview sites and alternate formats upon request to our Recruitment team. Central 1 cooperatively empowers credit unions and other financial institutions to deliver banking choice to Canadians. Central 1 provides critical services at scale to enable a thriving credit union system. We do this by collaborating with our clients, developing strategies, products and services to support the financial well-being of their more than 5 million diverse customers in communities across Canada. For more information, visit www.central1.com. Our total rewards package goes beyond what goes into your credit union account. For eligible employees, we offer a comprehensive compensation structure consisting of a competitive base salary and individual and company-wide annual incentive, matched contributions for your retirement plan and a top-notch benefits plan. Beyond the numbers, we think about you as a person, offering work-life flexibility, career development opportunities and a day off to volunteer in your community. Central 1 is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce by creating an environment where everyone feels like they belong and has the opportunity to be successful. We are welcoming of all applicants and we will provide an accessible candidate experience