Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer

Blue North Strategies; Guelph; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue North Strategies is seeking a COO/CFO to lead their operational and financial management efforts. The ideal candidate will possess over a decade of experience in senior leadership roles, particularly within a professional services environment. This position demands a dynamic individual who can streamline operations while fostering a culture of accountability and performance. Candidates must have strong analytical skills and a track record of driving operational excellence in a collaborative setting.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in senior leadership roles in operations and finance.
• Experience in managing internal operations and financial performance.
• Strong understanding of project-based business models.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational functions, resource management, and financial strategy.
• Develop and implement financial strategies aligning with executive goals.
• Establish KPIs to monitor business health and team productivity.

Skills

Operational Leadership

Financial Planning

Resource Management

KPI Development

Communication

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Operations, or related field

Tools

Financial Tools

Operational Systems

Job description

Direct message the job poster from Blue North Strategies

Position Summary

The COO/CFO will be responsible for the overall operational and financial leadership of Blue North. This role is ideal for a dynamic leader who thrives in entrepreneurial environments and understands the nuances of professional services. The ideal candidate will bring strong business discipline, cross-functional collaboration skills, and an ability to streamline operations while enabling growth.

This individual will partner closely with the President, who is primarily client-focused, to ensure that internal operations, delivery, and financial management run with clarity, precision, and consistency.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Execution

• Lead and continuously improve the operational functions of the agency, from project delivery workflows to internal systems and resource management.
• Introduce scalable operational processes to drive efficiency, accountability, and visibility across the organization.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the health of the business, team productivity, and client satisfaction.
• Oversee internal systems, tools, and infrastructure (e.g., agency management, finance tools, CRM) to ensure they are effective and evolving with the company’s needs.
• Drive cross-functional initiatives to improve service delivery, resource planning, and operational cost efficiency.
• Own the development and implementation of financial strategy in collaboration with the executive team.
• Manage financial planning, forecasting, and analysis to inform strategic decision-making and long-term growth.
• Provide regular, clear, and actionable reporting on financial performance and key metrics to the leadership team and shareholders.
• Oversee budgeting, accounting, cash flow management, and compliance in coordination with external accountants and financial partners.
• Lead financial risk assessment and mitigation activities.
• Drive pricing strategy, profitability analysis, and margin optimization across service lines.
• Directly lead the Finance function and Operations function; indirectly support broader operations across HR, and internal systems.
• Foster a culture of high performance, transparency, and shared accountability.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and performance development initiatives to ensure we attract and retain top talent aligned with Blue North values.

Strategic Collaboration

• Serve as a key thought partner to the President and Executive Team, contributing to the overall business strategy and leading the strategy/operational planning efforts.
• Support investment planning for new capabilities, offerings, or operational initiatives.
• Translate strategy into execution with clear prioritization and aligned team action.

Qualifications & Attributes

• 10+ years of experience in senior leadership roles spanning both operations and finance, preferably in a professional services firm or agency environment.
• Demonstrated success leading internal operations, financial planning, and business performance in a small or mid-sized company.
• Strong understanding of project-based business models, resource planning, and client services delivery.
• Adept at building and interpreting dashboards, KPIs, and operational metrics to drive decision-making.
• Strong business and financial acumen; comfortable owning both the P&L and operational delivery.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Operations, or related field. (CPA or accounting designation not required.)
• Experience with financial and operational tools and systems; ability to lead systems evolution but not tied to any one platform.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with a collaborative, low-ego style.
• Comfortable in a player-coach role, rolling up your sleeves while leading at a strategic level.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Not Applicable

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Finance and Sales

• Industries

  Business Consulting and Services

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