Chief Operating Officer

Toptal; Canada; Remote; CAD 209,000 - 322,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading remote workforce provider is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to drive operational excellence and strategic growth. The ideal candidate will have extensive leadership experience managing complex service organizations and be adept at developing scalable operational strategies. This is a senior role that emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, efficiency, and client satisfaction. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential.

Benefits

Flexible work hours

Global team environment

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in managing complex service organizations.
• Proven track record of leading multi-service line operations.
• Experience in a technology or hyper-growth company.

Responsibilities

• Build and own the vision, strategy, and execution plan for Toptal’s services.
• Define the organizational structure and leadership model for the teams.
• Drive a high-performance culture across all functions.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Operational excellence

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

Job description

Toptal launches HireGlobal - The most competitively priced global workforce payroll platform.

We are now hiring a Chief Operating Officer.

Chief Operating Officer

About Toptal

Toptal is a global network of top talent in business, design, and technology that enables companies to scale their teams, on-demand. With $200+ million in annual revenue and team members based around the globe, Toptal is the world’s largest fully remote workforce.

We take the best elements of virtual teams and combine them with a support structure that encourages innovation, social interaction, and fun. We see no borders, move at a fast pace, and are never afraid to break the mold.

Job Summary:

As the Chief Operating Officer, you will join a group of hands-on executives to drive the growth and operational excellence of Toptal. Your mindset will be that of an engineer who will work to solve operational problems through the lens of an engineer, not as a consultant or operational leader.

This role demands a builder’s mindset and a deep sense of ownership. You will create the operational frameworks and strategy, ensure the functions are fully built out and working to perfection, and drive consistent execution across all service and talent areas of Toptal.

Responsibilities:

• Build and own the vision, strategy, and execution plan for Toptal’s services and talent functions—including all service lines.
• Define the organizational structure and leadership model for the Services and Talent Operations teams.
• Provide hands-on operational leadership, bringing rigor, consistency, and clear accountability to all service lines and functions.
• Translate high-level business and operational goals into detailed operational roadmaps for all areas of responsibility.
• Establish scalable processes and systems to ensure delivery excellence, efficiency, and client satisfaction at scale.
• Oversee talent supply, matching, and resource planning in coordination with Services and Talent Operations to meet evolving client needs.
• Partner cross-functionally with Product, Marketing, Finance, and Legal to execute on strategic priorities and company-wide initiatives.
• Drive a high-performance culture across all functions and businesses, while ensuring Talent Operations is tightly aligned to support delivery excellence, scalability, and evolving business needs.

In the first week, expect to:

• Onboard and integrate into Toptal.
• Learn Toptal’s model, our value proposition, and our story.
• Deep dive into the Services organization and Talent Operations function to gain clarity on current structures, key initiatives, and challenges.
• Meet key leaders and stakeholders across Services, Talent Operations, Sales, and the Executive team to build foundational relationships and understand cross-functional dependencies.

In the first month, expect to:

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of each service line and Talent Operations, including organizational structure, team capabilities, operational processes, and performance metrics.
• Engage with senior leaders and key stakeholders to validate your initial findings and gather input on critical challenges and growth opportunities.
• Begin shaping a strategic operating model and execution framework tailored to the unique needs of Toptal’s Services and Talent Operations functions.
• Develop a clear understanding of client expectations and feedback to align operational improvements with market demands.

In the first three months, expect to:

• Begin executing a detailed operational plan that aligns with Toptal’s strategic objectives for Services and Talent Operations, emphasizing scalability and efficiency.
• Sponsor and oversee initiatives that improve delivery consistency, capacity planning, and client satisfaction, ensuring cross-functional alignment and sustainable operational excellence.
• Deepen engagement with clients and internal stakeholders to anticipate future needs and proactively adapt service offerings.

In the first six months, expect to:

• Achieve significant growth in gross revenue and pipeline volume across all Services.
• Drive measurable improvements in operational efficiency, client satisfaction, and service delivery scalability across all service lines.
• Refine and scale processes and systems that support seamless service delivery, resource management, and cross-functional collaboration.

In the first year, expect to:

• Achieve consistent delivery of business goals through a high-performing, aligned leadership team across all service lines.
• Have positioned Toptal’s Services and Talent Operations as a core driver of competitive advantage through scalable operations, strong client delivery, and sustained revenue growth.
• Scale the operational infrastructure to support anticipated growth, including technology and processes.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement initiatives that keep Toptal agile and ahead of market trends.

Qualifications and Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in managing complex service organizations and multiple business units, ideally within professional services or technology-driven environments.
• Proven track record of successfully leading multi-service line operations with accountability for P&L, growth, and operational excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute scalable operational strategies that drive efficiency, client satisfaction, and sustainable growth.
• Experience at a technology or hyper-growth company is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions in ambiguous environments.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels, including executives and clients.
• Experience driving cross-functional collaboration and alignment across sales, marketing, delivery, and support functions.
• Excellent organization skills and detail-oriented.
• Adaptable and willing to travel to meet with clients, team members, and stakeholders.

Toptal is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates.