Chief Operating Officer

The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 230,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company seeks a strategic Chief Operating Officer for Canada to lead operational strategy and oversee performance across our diverse Canadian business functions.

Partnering with the CEO and executive team, you will translate priorities into actionable plans that drive sustainable growth, operational excellence and a culture that empowers employees to thrive.

Qualifications

• Significant senior operational leadership experience, ideally as a COO.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Deep understanding of Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Commercial, Safety and Technology.
• Hands-on strategic planning, operational leadership and business development experience.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen with budget and growth management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to use data, analytics and KPIs to evaluate performance.
• Experience leading organizational change and cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills with ability to influence at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with CEO and leadership to set vision, strategy and priorities.
• Develop and implement actionable plans aligned with objectives.
• Provide leadership and oversight of Canadian operations and performance targets.
• Translate strategic priorities into operational plans, metrics and accountability.
• Establish policies and practices to enable operational excellence and culture.
• Oversee performance, productivity, efficiency, and profitability.
• Build and lead a high-performing, inclusive leadership team.
• Partner with Finance, HR, Commercial, Safety and Technology for performance.
• Identify and manage operational risks and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Support growth initiatives by assessing requirements, risks and opportunities.
• Represent DP World Canada with customers, partners and stakeholders.
• Monitor KPIs, implement corrective measures, and prepare reports.

Education

MBA

Job description

Role Purpose:

The Chief Operating Officer – Canada is responsible for leading DP World Canada’s operational strategy and overseeing the performance of its diverse business operations and functions.

Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, the COO will translate organizational priorities into actionable plans that support sustainable growth, operational excellence and long-term success.

This position requires a strategic, hands‑on and inspiring leader who can drive performance, strengthen collaboration and build an inclusive culture where employees and the business can thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the CEO and senior leadership team to establish and drive the organization’s vision, operational strategy, and priorities.
• Develop and implement actionable business strategies, plans and procedures aligned with the company’s short- and long-term objectives.
• Provide leadership and oversight across Canadian operations, ensuring operational performance, service delivery, safety and financial objectives are achieved.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, performance measures, and accountabilities.
• Establish policies, procedures and operating practices that support operational excellence, company culture, and organizational objectives.
• Oversee business performance and employee productivity, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and profitability.
• Build and lead a high‑performing, inclusive leadership team, ensuring team members are supported, accountable and positioned to thrive.
• Partner with functional leaders across areas such as Finance, Human Resources, Commercial, Safety and Technology to enable business performance.
• Identify and manage operational risks while ensuring compliance with applicable legislation, regulatory requirements and company standards.
• Support business development, investment, and growth initiatives by assessing operational requirements, risks and opportunities.
• Represent DP World Canada with key customers, partners, industry stakeholders, and other external parties, as required.
• Understand and adhere to company, provincial, federal, and local business requirements, enforcing compliance and taking action when necessary.Monitor key performance indicators, establish corrective measures as needed, and prepare detailed reports, both current and forecasting.

Knowledge & Qualifications:

• Significant senior operational leadership experience, ideally as a COO or in a comparable executive role within the waterfront industry.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and executive-level experience may be considered.
• In-depth understanding of key business functions, including Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Commercial, Safety and Technology.
• Hands‑on experience in strategic planning, operational leadership, and business development.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with experience managing budgets, performance, and organizational growth.
• Demonstrated ability to use data, analytics and KPIs to evaluate performance and inform business decisions.
• Familiarity with technology and business infrastructure supporting complex, multi‑site operations.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change, improve operational performance and align diverse teams around shared objectives.
• Outstanding organizational, prioritization and time‑management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships at all levels.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to engage executive, employee and external stakeholder audiences.
• Strategic and solutions‑oriented mindset, with sound judgment and strong problem‑solving capabilities.