Requisition ID: 39336

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, decolonization, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The position manages the billing and collection of property tax and utilities amounting to approximately $1.5 billion annually. As part of the Revenue Services management team, the Manager, Taxation and Utilities is responsible for implementing and improving policies, standards, business processes and systems to enable effective billing of tax and utility revenues. The position manages the operations of the property tax and utility billings including administering tax policies, tax collection, Provincial programs (eg: Home Owner Grant, Deferred Tax programs, and Grants-in-Lieu of tax billings), and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (‘PILT’) program. The Manager, Taxation and Utilities ensures compliance with all applicable legislation and bylaws and is the Deputy Collector of Taxes as appointed by Council under the Vancouver Charter.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Responsible for the operations (coordination, planning, controlling and monitoring) of the tax and utility billing functions.
Establishes annual goals and objectives for the tax and utility billing function and supports the long-term goal settings and objectives for this function.
Develops work plans and timelines to implement and monitor progress of function deliverables.
Responsible for compiling the business operational metrics and achieve the metric targets.
Recommends and implements improvements to business processes and computer systems through collaboration with external software provider and internal IT sustainment team to implement improvements. Provides related processes and systems training and assistance to departmental staff.
Works with other departments on City projects to ensure integration to Revenue Services systems.
Provides management support to supervisors and staff including developing performance goals and objectives, and providing guidance and advice on staff management issues. Responsible for hiring, onboarding, training and developing staff.
Prepares and reviews complex analysis on tax and utility issues and models.
Works with BC Assessment and Long-term Financial Planning department on complex property valuation issues and implements decisions from assessment appeal board decisions.
Manage the annual sale of properties due to tax arrears by minimizing the number of delinquent folios going to tax sale and, ensuring the compliance of legislative correspondence protocols prior and post tax sale and relevant administrative paperwork is complete and accurate.
Prepares reports for senior management and Council on tax related issues including property tax exemptions, grants-in-lieu, and annual interest rates on arrears.
Works with the long-term financial planning department on annual tax policy requirements and determination of annual tax mill rates. The long –term financial planning department is responsible for strategy and policy development whereas the manager, taxation and utilities is responsible for the administration and operations.
Prepares the annual tax calculation and billings, working with BC Assessment on ensuring the accurate application of the Land Averaging bylaw and the generation and distribution of bi-annual tax billings.
Responsible for levying business improvement assessments and local improvement charges on the annual tax billing, overseeing the billing of payments-in-lieu of taxes for all exempt properties, and preparing yearly risk to roll calculations on a semi-annual basis.
Works with Engineering Utility management to provide input on utility rate and bylaw changes.
Develops and implements business processes, billing and tax policies, and communication plans to support new tax and utility initiatives (eg: water metering and conservation, organic waste collection).
Performs the statutory duties of the Deputy Collector as described in the Vancouver Charter, Home Owner Grant Act and Land Tax Deferment Act and conducting of the annual Tax Sale.
Responsible for complex customer issues escalation and resolution relating to levy adjustments, penalties and interest.
Coordinates with FPA on annual tax provision budget and the quarterly analysis of actual to budget variances. Forecasts are updated quarterly
Represents the City annually at the court of revision, and participates in council meeting on subjects pertaining to property taxes and utilities. Key person responsible for researching recommendations and defense of the City’s position on taxation and utilities in Council correspondences.
Ensures the revenue accounting for taxes and utilities are timely and accurate, and reviews and approves reconciliations of subledgers to GL accounts at minimum on a quarterly basis and yearend working papers.
Assists with budget development and monitoring for the department costs.
Ensures activities and policies of Tax and Utilities comply with Vancouver Charter, bylaws or other statutory requirements and when necessary, consult with Legal on interpretation of statutory requirements and provide feasible options for considerations on issues and opportunities.
Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

Professional accounting designation (CPA) combined with a university degree
Minimum of 7 years of progressive related financial accounting and supervisory experience in a large organization, preferably within the public sector and union environment
Considerable experience working with advanced complex financial systems such as an ERP system
Experience tracking and reporting on metrics using business intelligence software. Support the delivery of business policies, processes and supporting systems in complex, multi stakeholder and time critical environments.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Effective problem solving ability supplemented by strong analytical and organizational skills
Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills
Proficient with PC applications (specifically Microsoft Office) and demonstrate advanced MS Excel skills
Ability to interpret and apply tax policies and applicable legislation and bylaws.
Ability to collaborate effectively in department and cross-departmental efforts.
Ability to perform complex business and technical analysis and to present them concisely and professionally.
Ability to provide leadership, including developing and obtaining support for city-wide policies and procedures.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to establish systems and set priorities.
Ability to maintain organized, well-documented records

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

The City’s COVID-19 vaccination policy is currently suspended and as a result, vaccination against COVID-19 is not required at this time. However, should circumstances change and the City deem it necessary to re-introduce such policy, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be eligible to continue performing your duties.

Business Unit/Department: Finance, Risk & Supply Chain Management (1150)

Affiliation: Exempt

Employment Type: Regular Full Time

Position Start Date: October, 2023

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-101: $113,839 to $142,289 per annum

Application Close: September 6, 2023

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process.Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.

About the Company:
City of Vancouver

Industry:
Supply Chain Manager, Military Intelligence, Business Intelligence, Supply Chain, ERP, Operations, Government, Technology

City of Vancouver

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Manager, Taxation & Utilities