Chief Operating Officer

Keynote Search; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A national union representing over 80,000 professionals is looking for a Chief Operating Officer to manage operations and lead strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will have executive experience and a proven ability to drive organizational excellence. This role is pivotal for promoting a transparent, collaborative environment and aligning operational strategies with the union’s mission.

Qualifications

• Experience at the executive level, ideally as COO or Executive Director.
• Knowledge and comfort in unionized environments are valued.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Lead teams across the Institute's core functions, ensuring effective service delivery.
• Drive business and operational priorities, including modernization efforts.

Skills

Operational Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Change Management

Team Collaboration

Communication

Education

Executive Level Experience

Not-for-Profit/Public Sector Experience

Job description

Introduction

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) is a national union representing over 80,000 professionals across the federal public service and select provincial and territorial jurisdictions. Since its founding, PIPSC has been committed to advancing the interests of its members by negotiating collective agreements, protecting workplace rights, and promoting professional excellence across science, IT, health, and regulatory fields. At its core, PIPSC is driven by the belief that a strong public service is essential to the well-being of Canadians.

PIPSC operates at the intersection of member advocacy and public service, bringing together professionals who are shaping the future of government services across Canada. With a dedicated team of nearly 300 staff, and supported by a national governance structure, the organization has grown significantly in size and complexity over the past two decades. This growth has been matched by a desire to modernize its systems, strengthen operational alignment, and reinforce trust and collaboration between leadership, staff, and members.

As the organization focuses on goals centered around renewal, transparency, and operational excellence, the role of Chief Operating Officer will be pivotal to success. Reporting to the President and working closely with the Board and senior leadership, the COO will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and advancing PIPSC’s strategic vision. This is a unique opportunity for a values-driven, people-centered leader to help shape the future of one of Canada’s largest professional unions. The successful candidate will be instrumental in leading cultural renewal, enhancing operational performance, and ensuring that PIPSC remains a modern, responsive, and effective advocate for its membership.

Summary of the Role

The Chief Operating Officer will take ownership of the day-to-day operations, ensuring an aligned, responsive, and future-focused organization that delivers on PIPSC’s strategic and operational priorities.

Reporting directly to the President, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for overseeing the effective functioning of the organization. As the most senior staff leader, you will ensure that the organization’s operational strategy aligns with its broader vision and mission, as defined by the elected leadership and Board of Directors. You will lead a team of directors who oversee the Institute’s core functions and will be central in providing strategic oversight and direction across all departments, ensuring a coordinated, efficient, and accountable approach to service delivery for members. As COO you will also work in close collaboration with the General Counsel, who maintains a dotted-line relationship with the President and Board for legal and governance matters. In addition to operational leadership, you will also serve as a key liaison with the Board of Directors, providing regular reporting on progress against strategic goals and supporting policy development through analysis and organizational insights. The COO ensures that the Institute’s internal structure, governance practices, and resource planning are optimized to meet both current needs and long-term objectives.

With a mandate to translate strategic goals into clear, actionable plans, you will drive the implementation of the Institute’s annual business and operational priorities. This includes stewarding modernization efforts such as digital transformation, internal systems updates, enhanced member engagement strategies, and cross-functional project delivery. You will foster an environment of collaboration and continuous improvement, enabling the effective integration of teams and the consistent delivery of high-quality services to members across Canada. You will also re-establish and maintain trust within the organization, which includes supporting cultural renewal, rebuilding morale, and improving alignment between the staff and the elected leadership. This is a pivotal role in creating a people-centered environment, where staff feel supported, empowered, and focused on delivering value to the membership.

Is This For You?

You are a well-rounded operations leader with a strong track record of managing complex organizations, driving cross-functional alignment, and leading with both empathy and accountability. You bring a balance of strategic thinking and operational discipline, and thrive in environments where clarity, structure, and people-first leadership are essential to success. With a calm, steady approach, you are energized by the opportunity to bring teams together, rebuild trust, and drive measurable progress through systems, culture, and execution.

Your background includes experience at the executive level, ideally as a COO, Executive Director, or senior operational leader, where you've been responsible for translating strategic goals into integrated plans across diverse business lines. You have knowledge of and are comfortable working in unionized environments, understanding the importance of managing both people and processes with integrity, fairness, and clear communication. Experience in the not-for-profit or public sector will be an asset, particularly if paired with time in more structured or corporate settings that demand a high level of operational acumen and rigor.

You are someone who brings people along with you—an inclusive, collaborative leader who can both challenge and support senior teams. You are seasoned with change management and understand the importance of being visible, communicative, and consistent. You are not easily rattled, and you operate with a clear sense of purpose, knowing when to roll up your sleeves and when to empower others. While you're not expected to be an expert in every department you oversee, your breadth of knowledge across HR, finance, legal, communications, and member services allows you to ask the right questions, connect the dots, and guide your team effectively.

Above all, you are mission-aligned. You understand the value that unions bring to Canadian professionals and are motivated by the opportunity to help shape a stronger, more modern, and responsive organization. You want to be part of something bigger than yourself; a place where operational excellence serves not just the business, but the people behind it.