Vice President of Corporate Services and Facilities

Who is COVE?

COVE is a tech hub and commercialization partner home to more than 400 organizations that use its facilities, services and programs. COVE brings together industry, academia and government to accelerate marine technology development and commercialization – from seabed to space – ensuring resilient supply chains built with Canadian solutions. Through its vast international network, COVE has been at the forefront of providing invaluable networking opportunities, fostering connections, and leading discussions within the global marine technology community.

COVE spearheads programs aimed at nurturing talent, expediting the release of technology products, and bolstering the success of emerging ventures by startups, scaleups, and SMEs. These initiatives, coupled with COVE’s ability to harness diverse skills and expertise nationally within the innovation ecosystem, serve as an enabler for overcoming industry challenges, driving economic growth, and delivering value to investors.

As COVE experiences rapid expansion, we are actively seeking to expand our team to further bolster our transformational influence on the marine sector. We recognize that our journey toward this goal hinges on the strength of our team—a group of individuals who collaborate, innovate, and continually strive for excellence. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey of discovery and advancement.

The Vice President of Corporate Services and Facilities is a strategic and operational leader responsible for overseeing the organization’s corporate services functions, including facilities management, real estate, administrative services, information technology, procurement, legal/compliance, human resources, corporate governance, and sustainability initiatives. This role ensures that the company’s physical and operational infrastructure supports its strategic objectives, employee productivity, and compliance standards to drive operational excellence and promote strong governance. The role is critical in fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and operational excellence, while also supporting strategic initiatives and long-term planning for growth initiatives.

In this role, as a member of the executive leadership team, the VP leads and mentors a team of high-performing professionals while reporting to the CFO and SVP and is responsible for the building, leading, and mentoring of high-performing teams, including organizational goal delivery and growth.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and implement a cohesive corporate services strategy aligned with COVE’s strategic objectives and values.
• Lead cross-functional operations including HR, IT, procurement, legal/compliance, office administration, and capital projects.
• Maintain and enhance governance structures, ensuring adherence to legal, regulatory, and internal standards.
• Oversee the planning and delivery of major facility upgrades, site maintenance, and long-term capital planning.
• Direct the IT strategy and infrastructure, including cybersecurity, managed services, and data systems.
• Lead contract lifecycle management and procurement practices to support operational excellence.
• Foster a high-performance, service-oriented culture while mentoring department leaders and staff.
• Provide trusted advice and reporting to senior leadership and the Board on corporate services matters.

Who You Are

• A strategic operator who can lead with vision and execute with precision.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in corporate services, operations, or facilities management.
• Thrives in complex, high-growth environments and has a demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Tech-savvy, financially literate, and comfortable navigating governance, risk, and compliance frameworks.
• Passionate about building inclusive, safe, and high-performing workplaces.

What You Bring

• A degree in Business, Finance, Law, or a related discipline (MBA considered an asset).
• Senior leadership experience across operations, HR, IT, facilities, and/or legal compliance.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills with a collaborative leadership style.
• Experience in the marine sector or a technology-based environment would be an asset.
  

Why Join COVE?

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of Canada and the world’s marine economy from the heart of Atlantic Canada. You’ll work alongside innovators, industry leaders, and mission-driven professionals.