Chief Operating Officer

Maritime Launch Services; Halifax; On-site; CAD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life and disability insurance

Flexible hybrid work environment

Competitive compensation package

Job summary

Maritime Launch Services in Halifax, NS, is seeking a strategic Chief Operating Officer to turn vision into execution and sustain operational excellence across the business. Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO will lead growth, scale operations, and drive performance across functions.

This is a unique opportunity to help build Canada’s first commercial spaceport, lead high-performing teams, and ensure regulatory compliance in a pioneering aerospace company.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience guiding complex operations.
• Strong business planning, operations management, and financial acumen.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy to execution and drive growth initiatives.
• Oversee day-to-day operations across HR, Finance, and Supply Chain.
• Establish KPIs, optimize processes, and manage cross-functional collaboration.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning.
• Ensure regulatory, safety, and governance compliance.

Skills

Senior operational leadership

Operations management

Financial acumen

Strategic planning

Leadership and team development

Stakeholder management

Aerospace experience

Education

MBA or related graduate degree

Job description

Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO is the organization's second-in-command, responsible for turning vision into execution and ensuring operational excellence across the business.

Halifax, NS / Posted August 6, 2026

About Us

Maritime Launch Services is a Canadian-owned commercial space company building Spaceport Nova Scotia near the communities of Canso, Hazel Hill and Little Dover in the Municipality of Guysborough, Nova Scotia. Our mission is to deliver satellite launch services that strengthen Canada’s position in the global space economy and enable sovereign access to space. Maritime Launch is a public company trading on the Cboe CA under the ticker MAXQ.

We are now entering an exciting phase of growth, moving from planning to sustained delivery: scaling the organization, strengthening partnerships, and preparing for ongoing launch operations. If you are motivated by ambitious, nation-building work and want to help create something that has never existed in Canada before, this is the moment to join!

Job Description

Help Build Canada's First Commercial Spaceport

Maritime Launch Services is seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help lead our next phase of growth. Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO is the organization's second-in-command, responsible for turning vision into execution and ensuring operational excellence across the business.

This is a unique opportunity to join a pioneering Canadian aerospace company and play a critical leadership role in scaling operations, strengthening organizational performance, and helping bring launch capabilities to Canada.

What You’ll Do

Lead Strategy into Action

• Partner with the CEO to execute business strategy and growth initiatives.
• Translate corporate goals into measurable operational plans and priorities.
• Drive operational scalability, efficiency, and profitability.

Oversee Business Operations

• Lead day-to-day operations across key corporate functions, including HR, Finance, and Supply Chain.
• Establish and track KPIs to ensure organizational performance.
• Optimize processes, resources, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-term business planning.
• Monitor operational performance and resource utilization.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, manage costs, and support revenue growth.

Build High-Performing Teams

• Lead and develop a strong leadership team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, legal, safety, and governance requirements.
• Identify and mitigate operational and business risks.
• Support launch readiness, infrastructure development, procurement, and project execution activities.

What You’ll Bring

• Proven experience in senior operational leadership roles.
• Strong business planning, operations management, and financial acumen.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in aerospace, technology, engineering, or other highly regulated industries is considered an asset.
• MBA or related graduate degree preferred.
• Competitive compensation package
• Life and disability insurance
• Flexible hybrid work environment
• Opportunity to help shape Canada's commercial space industry

Our Commitment to Employment Equity and Diversity

Maritime Launch Services is committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and encourage applications from individuals who identify as Indigenous, African Nova Scotian, members of racialized communities, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.

We are committed to equitable hiring practices and creating a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment where every employee can thrive.