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