The Director of Operations is a member of the Conservation Ontario Senior Management Team, reporting directly to the General Manager. Working closely with the General Manager, this role provides leadership and direction to CO’s strategic management plan and work plan processes and to corporate governance processes, as well as Financial and Human Resources leadership. This position will realize strategic opportunities to strengthen CA business interests through collaborative relationships with stakeholders and all levels of government. The Director of Operations collaborates closely with the General Manager and the Director of Policy and Planning and Conservation Ontario Managers to deliver strategic excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Management and Organizational Leadership:

• Actively work with the General Manager and Director Policy and Planning, and Managers to support succession planning.
• Provide oversight of strategic and organizational plans, work plans, and budgets.
• Lead the Strategic Plan process from developing new strategic plans to leading and directing the annual CO work planning and reporting process to meet strategic goals and objectives.
• Lead and direct corporate governance processes (i.e. Council, Board and Standing Committee meetings), working closely with the General Manager, the Director Policy and Planning (as required) and Managers of the organization.
• Provide Financial leadership support to the Manager of Corporate Services.
• Provide Human Resources leadership support to the Manager of Corporate Services for managing short- and long-term disability claims, employee overtime, and performance reviews.
• Provide input to the regular review of all corporate policies and procedures relating to Governance (e.g. Conservation Ontario By-Law, Standing Committees), Finance, Human Resources, Risk Management, Insurance and Administration to ensure compliance with current legislation and best practices.
• Work jointly with the Director Policy and Planning, Managers, General Manager, and Board of Directors as required for the development of new corporate policies and procedures.
• Fiduciary responsibility as a Signing Officer for Conservation Ontario; review and approve documentation for cheques and EFT payments.

CO Policy and Program Development/CA Member Services:

• Monitor and analyze policy platforms from senior governments and key organizations to assess their impact on CO and CAs’ strategic directions. Review priority actions with General Managers, provide recommendations to the Conservation Ontario Council and Board of Directors, and support implementation.
• On a priority basis, coordinate with General Managers on policy advocacy issues.
• Provide well-crafted, quarterly CO Council reports with strategic recommendations, and provide briefing to the Board of Directors on issues in advance of Council meetings.
• Establish excellent working relationships with officials at all levels of government and with key public and private organizations through partnerships and collaborative positioning on policy proposals.
• Act, as a spokesperson in meetings with provincial and federal Ministers and their staff, stakeholders, and the media, on behalf of the General Manager.
• Represent CO via internal and external committees and enhance partnerships through various engagements.
• Provide input to the ongoing review and updates to Conservation Ontario Guidelines/ BMPs/ templates and training curriculum developed to support CA program delivery and increase CA capacity.

Partnership Development and Management:

• Direct and develop proposals, and negotiate, review and secure special project contracts in order to expand and strengthen Conservation Ontario/CA service delivery capacity.
• Financial accountability and budget tracking for applicable special projects and operating budget.

Staff Management/ CO Staff Liaison:

• Provide leadership to direct reports by establishing goals, objectives, professional development plans and evaluating performance.
• Serve as the Acting General Manager as needed.
• Organize and lead CO staff teams to review and comment on strategic priority policy or business/program development files as opportunities arise.
• Organize and lead CO staff teams in the development and implementation of funding proposals for projects that fill CA program delivery and policy gaps as opportunities arise.

Other/ Issue Management:

• Address and resolve program issues raised by CA GMs or CA Senior staff.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Successful completion of a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts with specialization in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Biology, Conservation Biology, Forestry, Geography, Environmental Policy or Environmental Planning. Masters’ public policy/administration and/or Certification as an Association Executive is desirable.
• 10+ years’ work experience in the natural resource policy and/or program development (e.g. CA, provincial, federal, municipal, or association).
• Demonstrable experience in Strategic, Governance, Financial and Human Resources Management. 10 years’ senior management experience in a CA, provincial, federal, municipal, association or environment/resource-related business (e.g. ENGO) is preferred.
• Experience with Provincial, Federal, and Not-for-profit advocacy and the management of Transfer Payments and partnership contracts.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience with regard to the Conservation Authorities Act, the Clean Water Act and sound knowledge of the public policy formulation processes to influence key agencies (e.g. MNR, MECP, OMAF, MMAH, ECCC, NRCan, CWA, AMO).
• Knowledge of CA capacities, goals and objectives used to develop and represent CA interests in negotiation with Province and others as necessary and to develop CA consensus on CO positions and partnerships.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within and external to Conservation Ontario, including the Board of Directors, CO Council members, CO staff, CAs as well as senior management of other NFPs, Associations, Private Sector, Provincial, and Federal agencies.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and negotiation skills are required to inform and gain support from various organizations and to work with CA/provincial/federal/private sector partner staff to arrive at solutions to complex issues, and to negotiate funding partnerships.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain high standards of confidentiality.
• Excellent team building skills with the ability to provide leadership and direction.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, as well as MS Teams and Zoom meeting platforms.
• Valid Class "G" driver's license in good standing.

Compensation:

• A competitive salary starting at $74.88/per hour based on a 35-hour work week (Salary Band 11)
• Enrollment in the O.M.E.R.S pension plan
• Health, dental & wellness benefits
• A Hybrid-Remote work environment

How to Apply:

Please email your resume and cover letter to: hr@conservationontario.ca and address it to Lauren McPherson , Manager, Corporate Services.

Your emailed application should include your resume and cover letter in one PDF document. In the email subject line, reference Director of Operations. In your cover letter, speak to your experience, education, and your interest in working with our organization.

The deadline for applications is June 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.