Chief Operating Officer // Directeur, Directrice des oprations

html Job Description

Salary: $135,000-175,000 per annum

SWIMMING / NATATION CANADA JOB POSTING

Position: Chief Operating Officer

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: Ottawa

Job Type: Full-time, hybrid (Ottawa and remote)

Start Date: September 2026

ABOUT SWIMMING CANADA

Swimming Canada serves as the national governing body of competitive swimming. We inspire Canadians through world-leading performances to embrace a lifestyle of swimming, sport, fitness, and health. Canadians are global leaders in high-performance swimming and development for both Olympic Program and Paralympic Program swimmers. Swimming is recognized as one of the most celebrated and successful Canadian Summer Olympic and Paralympic sports.

Swimming Canada strives to foster a workplace in which all individuals maximize their potential, regardless of their differences. We are committed to attracting, developing, and celebrating a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve.

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.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership and Strategy

• 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.

Finance

• In collaboration with the CFO:
  • Oversight of all fiscal and monthly reporting activities.
  • Work with the 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.

Operations and Technology

• 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.

Communications

• 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.

Member Relations

• 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.

People and Culture

• Oversight of the people and culture portfolios, which includes employment compliance, recruitment, compensation, benefits, performance management, engagement, professional development, and succession planning, as well as safe sport.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, AND REQUIREMENTS

• Post-secondary education in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field.
• An accounting designation is desired and would be considered an asset.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in budgeting, financial analysis, accounting, and reporting, including leading financial strategy and planning within a non-profit organization.
• Experience within the national sport sector, and/or working with multiple funding envelopes would be strong assets.
• 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.
• Broad knowledge of, or experience with business operations, technology, membership services, people and culture, human resources, and/or communications would be considered assets.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Canadian sport system would be considered a strong asset.
• 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; the ability to communicate verbally in French would be considered a strong asset.
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications.
• Involvement in change management, system transition, and/or integration would be assets.
• Currently legally eligible to work in Canada.

WORK LOCATION

This is a full-time, permanent position with an ideal start date in early September 2026. There is a strong preference for an Ottawa-based candidate to support the onsite team primarily in Ottawa. The Ottawa Office is located on the traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabek People.

TOTAL REWARDS

The annual base salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications and experience, and within a range of $135,000-175,000. The position comes with a health and dental benefits package, Group RRSP matching plan, annual wellness and home office benefits, and annual salary increases, as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

APPLICATION

Candidates are asked to submit a cover letter and resume by 9am ET on Monday, June 29, 2026. The cover letter and resume should clearly demonstrate evidence of alignment to the key responsibilities, experience, and qualifications listed.

Swimming Canada is committed to providing accommodations. If you require an accommodation for a disability as part of the hiring process, please contact [email protected]. Any questions regarding the position can be directed to [email protected].

Link: https://swimmingcanada.bamboohr.com/careers

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will take place virtually or in-person the weeks of July 20 and 27, 2026. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only candidates invited to an interview will be contacted.