Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Company:

McKay Métis Group

Location:

Fort McMurray, AB

Employment Type:

Full-time

Reports to:

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Position Overview Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a critical member of the executive leadership team responsible for translating strategic vision into operational excellence across the organization. The COO will provide enterprise-level operational leadership for self-perform business entities, ensuring seamless integration, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth during a transformative period as McKay Métis Group pursues its vision of becoming a billion-dollar enterprise. This role demands a strategic leader who can architect scalable operational frameworks, drive organizational performance, and foster high-performance cultures across diverse business units while maintaining unwavering focus on long-term value creation.

Core Responsibilities Executive Leadership

Serve as a key member of the executive team, contributing to enterprise-wide strategic decisions alongside the CEO, CFO, and other executive leaders

Co-lead cross-functional initiatives to deliver integrated solutions to complex operational and business challenges

Share collective accountability with the executive team for organizational performance, cultural development, and strategic outcomes

Champion executive team cohesion through transparent communication, constructive dialogue, and unified leadership presence

Strategic Operations Management

Lead the development and execution of operational strategies that align with the organization's vision, mission, and long-term growth objectives

Design and implement scalable operational infrastructure, governance frameworks, and decision-making protocols that ensure enterprise-wide consistency while enabling appropriate entity-level autonomy to support rapid growth and diversification

Architect enterprise-level operational excellence initiatives that drive productivity, competitive advantage, and organizational capability

Drive operational innovation and identify transformational opportunities for efficiency, technology adoption, and market positioning

Operational Leadership & Enterprise Synergies

Identify and capture strategic synergies across all self-perform business entities in areas such as managed services, procurement, systems, and operational best practices

Lead the development of enterprise-wide operational standards, policies, and frameworks while respecting unique business unit requirements

Oversee vendor management strategy and key external partnerships at the enterprise level, ensuring optimal value and strategic alignment

Lead technology and systems integration to enable data-driven decision-making and enterprise-wide operational visibility

Facilitate cross-entity collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the adoption of leading practices across the organization

Performance Management & Accountability

Provide strategic direction and oversight to all Directors of Operations, establishing clear performance expectations and accountability frameworks

Develop and monitor enterprise-level operational KPIs and performance metrics that drive strategic goal achievement

Lead enterprise-wide operational planning cycles, coordinating annual operational plans that cascade from strategic directives

Evaluate organizational operational effectiveness and success in meeting strategic objectives, initiating corrective strategies as needed

Ensure operational decisions support the maintenance of 51% Indigenous ownership and alignment with community values

Financial & Business Acumen

Collaborate closely with the CFO to develop enterprise-level operational budgets and resource allocation strategies across all entities

Drive financial performance through operational efficiency, strategic resource optimization, and disciplined capital allocation

Provide strategic financial analysis and business case development for major operational investments and initiatives

Evaluate capital expenditure requests and operational investments for strategic fit, return on investment, and long-term value creation

Partner with all Directors of Operations on budget development, variance analysis, and strategic corrective action planning

Monitor and report on operational financial performance, identifying strategic opportunities and addressing systemic challenges

Business Development & Growth Enablement

Collaborate with CEO, CFO, and Head of Mergers & Acquisitions to assess operational feasibility, integration requirements, and synergy potential for acquisition targets and strategic partnerships

Engineer post-acquisition operational integration strategies ensuring seamless transition and value realization

Support enterprise-level business development by providing operational capacity assessments and strategic delivery capabilities

Oversee enterprise approach to major RFP/RFI/RFQ opportunities, ensuring operational readiness and competitive positioning

Governance, Risk & Compliance

Serve as key operational advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors on all operational matters and strategic initiatives

Ensure operational compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and organizational policies across all entities

Provide operational risk assessments, mitigation strategies, and enterprise risk management oversight to the Board and executive team

Provide operational insights and recommendations to the CEO for Board consideration on significant operational decisions and strategic direction

Facilitate clear and effective operational reporting to internal and external stakeholders

Collaborate with Head of Stakeholder Relations to ensure operational decisions consider community impact and stakeholder interests

Organizational Development & Leadership

Build, mentor, and develop high-performing senior operational leaders fostering strategic thinking and operational excellence

Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across the organization

Champion succession planning and leadership development for critical operational roles across all entities

Promote Indigenous leadership development and culturally informed operational practices throughout the organization

Act as a key contributor to the development, effectiveness, and success of the Executive Team

Qualifications and Skills Required Experience & Education

15+ years of progressive operational leadership experience with demonstrated strategic responsibilities at the enterprise level

7+ years in a senior executive operations role managing multiple business units, entities, or complex organizational structures

Educational foundation with advanced degree (MBA, MPA) or equivalent executive leadership experience; additional operational certifications an asset

Proven track record of scaling operations in high-growth, multi-entity organizations with significant complexity

Demonstrated success leading operational transformation and driving sustainable competitive advantage

Core Competencies

Strategic Visionary:

Exceptional ability to translate strategic plans into operational realities while architecting scalable frameworks for long-term success

Operational Excellence:

Deep expertise in operational strategy, enterprise frameworks, process optimization, and performance management systems

Financial Leadership:

Strong command of financial statements, budgeting, forecasting, capital allocation, and operational finance

Business Integration:

Demonstrated success integrating diverse business operations, driving synergies, and building organizational capabilities

Change Leadership:

Proven ability to lead organizational transformation, navigate rapid growth, and build change-ready cultures

Strategic Risk Management:

Sophisticated approach to enterprise risk management balanced with entrepreneurial growth mindset

Leadership Attributes

Exceptional strategic communication and stakeholder engagement skills across diverse audiences

Collaborative executive presence with demonstrated ability to influence and drive enterprise-wide initiatives

Results-oriented with strong strategic execution capabilities and systems-thinking approach

Highly adaptable and resilient in fast-paced, high-growth, evolving environments

Decisive yet inclusive decision-making with strong business judgment

Natural mentor and developer of high-performing leaders and teams

Cultural Alignment

Deep respect for Indigenous values, community-based decision-making, and cultural protocols

Commitment to sustainable growth that honors future generations and community prosperity

Professional experience with Indigenous businesses and/or communities considered a strong asset

Understanding of unique governance considerations in Indigenous-owned enterprises

Passion for contributing to both organizational success and broader community impact

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