Directeur, Directrice des opérations

Swimming Canada•Ottawa, ON

6d•CA$135,000 - CA$175,000•Hybrid

About The Position

In this new position, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be responsible for the day-to-day business operations of the organization and ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic plan. Reporting to the CEO, the COO partners with the leadership team to drive operational excellence, support strategic initiatives, and enable sustainable growth across the organization. This role oversees key functions including finance, people and culture, communications, member relations, and technology. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and strategic leader with strong financial acumen, operational expertise, and experience managing diverse teams and priorities. The successful candidate is relationship-focused, adaptable, and capable of driving both strategy and execution.

Requirements

Post-secondary education in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field.
Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in budgeting, financial analysis, accounting and reporting, including leading financial strategy and planning within a non-profit organization.
Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple ongoing projects, and work comfortably in a deadline driven environment.
Excellent leadership skills, with experience directly and indirectly managing employees, as well as contractors and other support personnel, including supporting day-to-day needs, managing/mediating conflict, providing performance feedback, and coaching/mentoring.
Experience working with board of directors, finance committees, and external auditors.
Ability to lead, motivate and influence various groups, and maintain composure in high-pressure situations.
Self-starter and innovative thinker, with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and output.
Strong creative thinker and problem solver, with a values and results-oriented mindset.
Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Strong verbal and writing skills in English are required.
High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications.
Currently legally eligible to work in Canada.

Nice To Haves

An accounting designation is desired and would be considered an asset.
Experience within the national sport sector, and/or working with multiple funding envelopes would be strong assets.
Broad knowledge of, or experience with business operations, technology, membership services, people and culture, human resources, and/or communications would be considered asset.
Knowledge and understanding of the Canadian sport system would be considered a strong asset.
The ability to communicate verbally in French would be considered a strong asset.
Involvement in change management, system transition, and/or integration would be assets.

Responsibilities

Advocate a values-driven, positive culture by championing constructive change, challenging the status quo, and fostering an environment where people feel empowered to grow and contribute.
Work proactively and collaboratively to support alignment of portfolios and departments.
Participate in leadership team (Director and Associate Directors) activities, senior leadership team (Directors and C-suite), and Board of Directors meetings as required.
Oversee reporting, including KPIs, funding, committees, and annual reports.
Drive collaboration with departments and area leads, as well as externally with key contributors and partners.
Drive process improvement, SOPs, and performance monitoring for all portfolios.
Work with the CEO to drive organizational vision, mission, and corporate strategy.
Provide day-to-day management of direct reports, including performance management, mentorship and development, for the positions and portfolios leading finance, people and culture, communications, operations and member relations.
All other duties as required.
Oversight of all fiscal and monthly reporting activities.
Work with leadership team through the budget process.
Manage banking activities of the organization.
Oversight of payroll.
Oversee the maintenance of the inventory of all fixed assets.
Ensure strong controls of systems, processes, assets and procurement.
Lead the development of a Swimming Canada investment strategy.
Assess prospective contracts and advise the CEO on program design and implementation.
Oversight of Swimming Canada’s insurance portfolio, including business insurance plans and health care coverage analysis.
Lead the preparation and submission of organizational partner reporting and applications, including Sport Canada Sport Support Program.
Oversight of the technology portfolio for the employees as well as the organization, including procurement, support, maintenance, security and privacy, and key systems such as the membership registration system and learning management system.
Support the CEO in managing organizational risk and risk assessment processes.
Oversight of the communication strategy and plan, including external communication, digital content, translation, as well as media and public relations, and crisis communications.
Lead the Swimming Canada Awards Committee, including the Circle of Excellence.
Oversight of the relationship and delivery of services to Swimming Canada members, registrants or special interest groups, including athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, committee members and Board of Directors.
Oversight of the planning and execution of the Annual General Meeting.
Oversight of the people of the culture portfolios, which includes employment compliance, recruitment, compensation, benefits, performance management, engagement, professional development and succession planning, as well as safe sport.