Manager Vacancy Taxation (Compliance & Administration)

Requisition ID: 43270 

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 and environmentally sustainable cities. 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, reconciliation, 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 annual vacancy tax declaration process including the billing and collection of vacancy tax as well as the compliance function which aims to validate property status declarations. As part of the Financial Services management team, the Manager, Vacancy Tax is responsible for implementing and improving policies, standards, business processes and systems to enable effective audit and billing of vacancy tax revenues. The position manages the operations of the vacancy tax billings including administering tax policies and tax collection.   The incumbent is involved in tax policy issues, legal issues, and manages the day-to-day operation of the vacancy tax department. He/she is also responsible for overseeing complex, risk-based audits for the Empty Homes Tax program.   The Manager, Vacancy Taxation ensures compliance with all applicable legislation and bylaws.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall management and coordination (planning, controlling and monitoring) of the vacancy tax functions.
• Establishes annual goals and objectives for operations and compliance functions and supports the long-term goal settings and objectives for these functions.
• 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.
• 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.
• Oversees the annual vacancy tax calculation and billings, working with the Property Tax team and BC assessment on ensuring the accurate application of the Vacancy Tax By-law and the creation of Vacancy Tax accounts.
• Developing and establishing audit criteria used to support and validate property status declarations while incorporating key risk indicators and lessons learned. Review and update audit criteria and procedures to ensure audits are being performed based on best practices and up to date audit methodology.
• Develop comparative analysis measure to monitor declaration behavioral to specifically determine of any trends. Incorporating the use of data analytics and insights to further enhance quality of information.
• Develops work plans and timelines to implement and monitor progress of function deliverables, including annual declaration processes and compliance campaign programs.
• Responsible for compiling the business operational metrics and achieving the metric targets.
• Manages escalation or sensitive cases of compliance matters.
• Liases with Technology Services on system requirements.
• Responsible for authorizing entry onto residential property for the purposes of determining the status of the property and whether the property is subject to the vacancy tax.
• Plans and executes applications control assurance reviews to ensure all major systems acquisitions and changes meet business objectives, results in benefits realizations (productivity gains, expenditure and staffing resource reductions) and provide an adequate control framework.
• Works with other departments and major City projects to ensure integration to Revenue Services Systems.
• Develops performance goals and objectives and provides guidance and advice on staff management issues. Hires, orients, trains staff and provides for career development.
• Contributes to reports for senior management and Council on vacancy tax related issues including vacancy tax exemptions
• Works with and the Vacancy Review Officer, legal services and bylaw enforcement on bylaw interpretation and changes. Develops business processes, billing policies, and staff procedures to implement the vacancy tax.
• Responsible for complex customer issues resolution relating to levy adjustments, penalties, fines and interest.
• Ensures the revenue accounting for vacancy taxes are timely and accurate and reviews reconciliations of subledger to GL accounts and yearend working papers.
• Ensures activities and policies of Vacancy Tax 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.
• Assists with budget development and monitoring for the department costs.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Professional accounting designation or auditing designation (CIA) combined with a university degree, or other relevant education
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive related auditing, preferably taxation auditing, 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 in a municipal environment, familiarity with local government regulatory requirements would be an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proven leadership ability to lead organizational change, development of staff and teamwork
• Project management experience an asset.
• Excellent presentation skills and report writing to senior staff and/or Council
• 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.
• Successful completion of a criminal record check

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.

Business Unit/Department: Finance & Supply Chain Mgmt (1150) 

Affiliation: Exempt 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: April, 2025 

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-091: $111,139 to $138,924 per year

Application Close: March 23, 2025

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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