Apply By: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 11:59 pm EST

Controllership and Risk Lead

Job ID:
240129
Open Targeted
Organization:
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
Division:
Research and Corporate Services Division / Business Planning and Financial Management Branch
City:
Guelph
Position(s) language:
English
Job term:
1 Temporary up to 12 months with possible extension
Job code:
6A001 - Finance06
Salary:
$84,478.00 - $124,487.00 Per year

Bring your financial expertise to the heart of strategic decision-making.

Are you passionate about strengthening financial accountability and driving meaningful change across a complex, high-impact organization? This is your opportunity to join a dynamic team within an agriculture-focused ministry that plays a pivotal role in shaping financial systems, enhancing internal controls, and supporting ministry-wide compliance and innovation. As a strategic leader in Corporate Controllership, you will champion sound financial stewardship, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and help ensure the effective delivery of high-impact public services.

About the job

This role is based in Guelph, Ontario, a hub for agricultural leadership and innovation. Our office is located close to transit, green space, and local amenities, offering a welcoming and balanced work environment outside the downtown Toronto core.

As a member of the Corporate Controllership team, you'll oversee the planning, development, and management of financial systems and the internal control framework for the ministry. You'll provide financial management and internal control expertise and support to ensure the ministry complies with government requirements. You can expect to:

• oversee financial systems and controls, handle internal control issues, manage the ministry's controllership framework, and ensure quality standards
• develop and manage internal control plans, assess and mitigate risks, oversee financial systems, and ensure compliance with control principles
• develop and implement internal control policies and training, oversee the Certificate of Assurance, monitor controllership issues, and maintain relationships with audit divisions and other ministries
• lead and guide unit staff, support their development, and oversee projects and external vendors

What you bring to the team


Communication and leadership skills

You can:

• build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external partners to support horizontal problem-solving and shared accountability
• lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage complex projects to assess controllership issues and implement effective, sustainable solutions
• influence decision-making and promote cost-effective control measures by negotiating with stakeholders and navigating resistance to change
• communicate complex financial and risk management issues clearly to senior leaders, and provide strategic advice, reports, and training

Finance and controllership expertise

You have demonstrated knowledge of:

• public sector accounting (including Public Sector Accounting Board Standards) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• financial reporting processes and requirements, such as Public Accounts and monthly period close reporting
• accounting principles, cost accounting, budget control, and financial information systems for finance and controllership projects

You have the ability to:

• understand funding administration and best practices

Risk management knowledge

You have:

• the ability to assess operational risks and evaluate the effectiveness of controls in complex organizations
• the ability to apply enterprise risk management principles and internal control frameworks to support decision-making and continuous improvement assessments
• knowledge of performance evaluation and quality assurance methodologies used to assess financial or operational effectiveness in organizations

Analytical and problem-solving skills

You can:

• analyze and resolve complex financial system issues, develop controllership processes, and provide recommendations to senior management
• interpret and apply directives, policies, and guidelines as well as applicable legislation
• collaborate with partners to lead financial and business risk assessments, support accurate financial reporting, and contribute to developing and improving financial management processes

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer  accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please  contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:

• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment

Additional information:

Apply by:
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 11:59 pm EST
Position details:
  • 1 English Temporary, duration up to 12 months, 1 Stone Rd W, Guelph, West Region
Compensation group:
Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario
Work hours:
Category:
Finance and Economics
Posted on:
Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Note:

  • The information that you provide for the purpose of this competition and the results from this competition may be used to fill other positions. These positions may be of various tenures including short-term assignments. Your information and the results from this competition will be retained for the purpose of filling vacancies in accordance with the applicable collective agreement or policy provisions.
  • W-AF-240129/26


How to apply:

  1. You must apply online by visiting www.ontario.ca/careers. You must enter the job id number in the Job ID search field to locate the job ad.
  2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
  3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
  4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
  5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
  6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.


Strengthening Ontario, together